We recently connected with Linda Mitchell and have shared our conversation below.
Linda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
A year ago, I began a project to create personal Spirit Animal paintings designed to support and empower the owner. These bespoke pieces include personal items that make them unique and truly reflective of the individual. The experience is designed to provide guidance and inspiration by tapping into the spiritual powers of the animal world.
Through a series of questions and discussion, I work to find the strongest imagery to incorporate specific powers, symbolism and meaning most appropriate for the person and whatever they may be experiencing in their lives. With the inclusion of the person’s own photos, jewelry, objects, fabric and paper remnants of their lives, the piece speaks about the life and history of the collector. My clients love the beautiful paintings and find the personal recognition to be very meaningful.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been making art since I was a kid, always drawing, painting, creating something. I’ve never stopped the creative process – studying art in college and graduate school. Creating is a necessary cathartic part of my life that helps me to process my own experience. I have been exhibiting my work in galleries and museums for the past 30+ years.
I find my own personal truths by using animals figures to tell stories of the human experience. I paint and sculpt both real and imagined creatures and find them to be compelling surrogates for human beings and their emotional lives. I find the variety of shape, size, color and pattern to be most enjoyable to depict. I also use inherent traits of the beasts to portray genuine emotion and personality. I appreciate the sincerity and lack of guile in the animal kingdom. My work ranges from very small to very large mixed media paintings, as well as room sized installations incorporating soft sculpture and paintings.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Follow your heart is my mission and life philosophy. I hope to inspire others to value themselves and find the best path for fulfillment. I think that coming from a family background with mental issues led me to see that if you don’t take care of yourself and follow your own inspired path, you harm yourself. I think we often let society, family, and friends tell us what we should want in life and lose touch of what truly matters to us. I hope that my work will help people to feel seen, understood and valued for who they are.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being an artist is the ability to create a different world. When I step into my studio, there are no rules, oversight or constraints. I am the master of my tiny universe and it is pure freedom to experiment and explore. Sharing my work completes the process as I communicate with my viewers and hopefully touch them in a meaningful way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lindamitchellartist.com
- Instagram: @lindamitchellart
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Lindamitchellart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-mitchell-50009011/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LindaMitchellArt
Image Credits
All photos by Linda Mitchell