Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, and immerse yourself in Maureen Mitchell’s world. Let her work transport you to an undersea or woodland wonderland where you can, “smell the wet leaves; hear the soft, silken whisper of bird wings in flight; see the sparkle and splash of fish at the water’s surface; and feel the gnarled bark on a hundred-year-old tree.”
Mitchell’s process begins with sketches and photos taken on hikes and nature walks. Back in her studio she combines elements from those collections and creates layers of painted papers, monoprints, ink, watercolor, and colored pencil work, collaging them together and adding many layers of acrylic glazes. The end result is richly textured, highly colored and deeply dimensional work.
It is Mitchell’s hope that her work, “inspires a desire to reconnect to earth and nature, encouraging us to listen, respect and take greater care of our precious planet, so that in doing so we take care of ourselves, our future generations and fellow creatures.”
Enjoy the exhibit, and afterward, take a stroll outside.
For more information about the artist, visit maureenmitchellfineart.com.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Maureen made the move to Seattle in the 70s and earned her BFA in Printmaking at the University of Washington. Although raising a family and holding a full-time job took precedence in the years that followed, she always found time for art. A Signature Member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, her current work in colored pencil and mixed media work is focused on nature; plants, landscape, birds, fish and insects.
Progressing from a background in printmaking and drawing, her current work in mixed media is a love affair with the give and take of process, experimentation, accident and intention. To convey a sense of the dense, organic atmosphere and strong texture that she is drawn to, she focuses on building many layers which involve extensive use of hand-painted papers, hand-pulled prints, ink, watercolor and colored pencil drawings and paintings. Additional layering of acrylic skins, paint, collaged papers and other elements continue until the work is complete.
The Sophie Davis Gallery is located between the lobby and auditorium.
It is open to the public during the School’s operating hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
For more information, contact Emily Nabors at emily.nabors@usc.edu.