Looking at America and Painting How I Want, What I Want and How I See It
Welcome back friends! I want to tell you about a special artist..
Dean Mitchell lives and works in Tampa, Fla. His focus is on figurative works (portraits of people), landscapes (paintings of nature with land and sky) and still lifes (every day, still objects). At the Albany Museum of Art, Mitchells exhibition, Looking at America and Painting How I Want, What I Want and How I See It, is currently on display.
"I'm looking for freedom regardless of painting styles and labels imposed on artists in regards to race and ethnic origins,” Mitchell says, “total freedom to explore my full potential as an artist."
Mitchell went to college at Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio. His degree is called an MFA (Masters in Fine Arts) He maintains a deep connection with Quincy, Fla., a small industrial city where he was raised and inspired by his grandmother. His grandmother pushed him to not give up his dream of becoming an artist, encouraging him to attend his art studies. His work has been collected by many prestigious museums and has received numerous accolades, included meeting President Barack Obama and his family, and being considered as a portrait artist for the 44th president. A small snapshot of Mitchell at the White House hangs on the wall at his Quincy location—aptly named after his grandmother—the Marie Brooks Gallery.
Dean Mitchell lives and works in Tampa, Fla. His focus is on figurative works (portraits of people), landscapes (paintings of nature with land and sky) and still lifes (every day, still objects). At the Albany Museum of Art, Mitchells exhibition, Looking at America and Painting How I Want, What I Want and How I See It, is currently on display.
"I'm looking for freedom regardless of painting styles and labels imposed on artists in regards to race and ethnic origins,” Mitchell says, “total freedom to explore my full potential as an artist."
Mitchell went to college at Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio. His degree is called an MFA (Masters in Fine Arts) He maintains a deep connection with Quincy, Fla., a small industrial city where he was raised and inspired by his grandmother. His grandmother pushed him to not give up his dream of becoming an artist, encouraging him to attend his art studies. His work has been collected by many prestigious museums and has received numerous accolades, included meeting President Barack Obama and his family, and being considered as a portrait artist for the 44th president. A small snapshot of Mitchell at the White House hangs on the wall at his Quincy location—aptly named after his grandmother—the Marie Brooks Gallery.
Be Inspired!
Dean Mitchell is inspired by his grandmother, who always taught him to never give up and to believe in himself. Who inspires you? After you complete todays lesson, write a letter to that person! It could be a parents, a sibling, a friend, a grandparents, a teacher, or anyone else in your life that always encourages you to do what you love!
Dean Mitchell is inspired by his grandmother, who always taught him to never give up and to believe in himself. Who inspires you? After you complete todays lesson, write a letter to that person! It could be a parents, a sibling, a friend, a grandparents, a teacher, or anyone else in your life that always encourages you to do what you love!
Let's look at some art..
Take a long look at each one of these pieces by Dean Mitchell. As look you, write down some descriptive words for each one. Let's do the first one together!
Dean Mitchell, Trash Day.
Morning
House
Shadows
Red door
Balcony
Blue trash can
Clean curb
Yellow walls
Windows
Empty
Warm
Quiet
Good! Keep going..
Morning
House
Shadows
Red door
Balcony
Blue trash can
Clean curb
Yellow walls
Windows
Empty
Warm
Quiet
Good! Keep going..
  Urban America Mr.Tate State of Emergency |   Code Red |
Now that you have a list of descriptive words..
Let's make a story!
Use as many of the words as you can to write a short story about these works of art. You can do it in whatever order you like, but think of each painting as a "scene" in your story. You can even add characters to your story!
For example: One quiet morning, shadows appeared as the warm sun rose. I watched a little house with yellow walls and a red door across the street , waiting for the man who lived there to bring out his blue trash can.. Keep this story going or start your own!
Once you are done, add one more scene to end your story. This scene can be whatever you want it to be. Once you write the last scene, create your very own painting or drawing to go with it!
For example: One quiet morning, shadows appeared as the warm sun rose. I watched a little house with yellow walls and a red door across the street , waiting for the man who lived there to bring out his blue trash can.. Keep this story going or start your own!
Once you are done, add one more scene to end your story. This scene can be whatever you want it to be. Once you write the last scene, create your very own painting or drawing to go with it!
Once you have written your story, let's go back and label or underline some words with these colors!
Verbs: Words that show actions, motions, doing, or states of being.
Nouns: Words that identify a person, place or thing, or names one of them
Adjectives: Words that are used to help describe or give description to people, places, and things.
One quiet morning, shadows appeared as the warm sun rose. I watched a little house with yellow walls and a red door across the street, waiting for the man who lived there to bring out his blue trash can..
Verbs: Words that show actions, motions, doing, or states of being.
Nouns: Words that identify a person, place or thing, or names one of them
Adjectives: Words that are used to help describe or give description to people, places, and things.
One quiet morning, shadows appeared as the warm sun rose. I watched a little house with yellow walls and a red door across the street, waiting for the man who lived there to bring out his blue trash can..
