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 Berkeley, California where she focused on traditional intaglio printmaking techniques, including mezzotint. Her bold colors are made by “spot-rocking”, using multiple plates, masking and some hand-coloring.

“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.