Nancy A Mitchell
Artist Statement
I believe I see the world differently from non-artist, with brighter
sharper shapes around me. Therefore, I want to share this with the public through my art. I am drawn to everyday objects or scenes
with strong shadows and high contrast colors. Sometimes my
paintings are more about the shadows than the subject. I am interested in painting animals because of their likeness to human expression of
people I know.
I am a multimedia artist who gravitates toward painting and contemporary realism. Teaching high school art for 30 years allowed
me to experiment with materials I would otherwise not have used.
Although I was the “teacher,” the students and I navigated material together, learning from one another. Creating or teaching art helps
me feel invigorated and complete.
After painting in watercolor for 30 years, I am now exploring acrylic painting and collage. I create my own carved pattern stamps and then apply the embellishment to paper to use in my paintings or I stamp directly onto my canvas to use as an under painting. In this way I create depth and texture to make my art more exciting. I have also worked in batik, silk fusion and pen and ink. If I read about a new process to use
an art medium, I feel compelled to experiment with the method and
put my on twist to it.
My subject matter changes, depending on my travels and life experiences. You will see a variety of subjects in my artwork, such as animals, landscapes, or architecture. I hope viewing my paintings will inspire people to take a second look at the world around them and appreciate their own everyday sights.