Sharon Mitchell
graduated from the College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California where she
studied printmaking, portraiture and calligraphy. From 1985 until 1990, she was
an artist in residence at Kala Institute in
“Throughout my life, I have been fortunate
enough to travel extensively. From an early age I was exposed to a
variety of cultural aesthetics. During such adventures I absorbed
everything from primitive folk art to the wildly ornate theatrics of Baroque
embellishment and the ariel feats of Gothic cathedrals. I also became
fascinated with the myths and narratives so abundant in every corner of the
world. Because of this focus, I never felt an affinity with abstract
expressionism. In spite of growing up in the 60’s and 70’s when it
flourished so, I chose to virtually ignore it as an influence and instead
became somewhat shamelessly representational. As such, my influences
amongst the contemporary fine artists of the world are few. I do credit
the usual old masters in particular Albrecht Durer whose engravings were an
inspiration to take up a somewhat religious zeal toward printmaking while in
college. However, though it is almost taboo to say it, during my
“formative years” I fairly worshiped illustrators in general. Already
headed in the direction of having an illustrative style, it seemed quite
natural that I should gravitate to those whose work exhibited a mastership of
illusionism.
Sharon Mitchell has regularly moved between natural studies and the pursuit of images that convey a sense of theater, emphasize the grace and structural integrity inherent in natural forms, and produce an encounter with the dramatic, the bizarre and the humorous.