PJ O'Rourke has always been infatuated with the timeless allure of actresses from the silver screen era. This infatuation served as the wellspring of inspiration for his captivating design titled A-Bomb Shell. O'Rourke's creative journey began with a desire to pay homage to the iconic figures of Hollywood's golden age, a fascination that extended not only to Marilyn Monroe but will continuously be explored with other legends. A-Bomb Shell was born out of this profound admiration and an irrepressible urge to reinterpret and reinvent cinematic history.

Marilyn Monroe, the ultimate cinematic icon, captured the artist's imagination, particularly in that unforgettable scene from The Seven Year Itch where her dress billows upward over a subway grate on 63rd and Lexington. It was a moment that encapsulated Marilyn's essence, and O'Rourke was drawn to it. However, his artistic vision took an unconventional twist, encapsulated in the juxtaposition of the artwork's title, A-Bomb Shell. The term "bombshell" has always been synonymous with Marilyn Monroe, signifying her extraordinary beauty and charisma. O'Rourke's unique concept involved replacing her face with the haunting image of a mushroom cloud from an atomic bomb, symbolizing the explosive allure and enduring impact of the actress.

The creative process behind the design presented a unique challenge to O'Rourke. His task was to seamlessly merge the flowing motion of Marilyn's dress with the dynamic force of the atomic explosion. The result is a masterpiece of illustration, showcasing the artist's exceptional talent in conveying the essence of both elements. Moreover, O'Rourke delved into Marilyn's personal history, uncovering a fascinating connection between the iconic actress and the theme of the artwork. As it turns out, before becoming Marilyn Monroe, her name was Norma Jeane and she worked at the Radioplane Company during WWII assembling drone aircrafts, a fact that added depth and significance to the artwork's underlying themes.

The urban aesthetic and O'Rourke's signature style also play a vital role in A-Bomb Shell. The artist is known for infusing a street vibe into his creations, and this design was no exception. He added a touch of urban chic by adorning Marilyn with Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers, which interestingly hailed from the same era as the iconic actress. Chuck Taylor was the first athlete to have his own sponsored shoe, and this clever addition tied together the retro charm of the golden age with the contemporary flair of urban culture.

In the artist's own words, "This is definitely one of the pinnacle designs that I have." A-Bomb Shell not only pays homage to the timeless beauty of Marilyn Monroe but also serves as a testament to the artist's remarkable ability to blend history, art, and urban aesthetics into a single, visually striking masterpiece.