Morris “Moe” Mitchell
Morris Mitchell, an accomplished artist, is a dedicated and curious seeker. A seeker means to search and find, to track the truth, intellectually, emotionally, and yes, spiritually. He loves drama and contrast, as in Rembrandt's tenebrism. Morris's pursuit of drama also shows in his great love of color, coupled with a deep understanding of figure-ground and how it supports and drives his intent. (He intends to create magic," to engage the viewer in a dialogue, meaning the constant challenge and discovery of contemporary existence in our world culture.)
Morris's passion as a seeker is to create questions, not easy answers, truly.
Morris Mitchell was born in Highland Park, Illinois. While Attending Lake Forest College night school for a short time while working as a display designer for Marshall Fields, he graduated in 1959 from the Ringling College of Art and Design. While at Ringling, he connected with and studied under artist Loren Wilford. His mentor, friend, and inspiration, along with being a creative driving life force, remained friends until Wilford's death. The passion and curiosity Wilford instilled in their relationship has never left and continues to grow intellectually and spiritually.
During this time, he also taught at The John Ringling Museum of Art, and during the summers he directed the Hilton Leach School of Art in Sarasota, FL… During the 1960s, Mitchell taught full-time at The Ringling College of Art and Design, where he remained for 42 years. From 1974-1984, he became chairman of the Fine Arts Department. This included redesigning curricula, adding new electives, and developing new departmental branding that strengthened accreditation and the department's forward-thinking vision.
During these years, Mitchell continued to produce as a painter, exhibiting both in group exhibitions and numerous one-person exhibitions. In 1974, Mitchell took a year's leave of absence, accepting an assistantship at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, teaching evening drawing classes while earning his MA in printmaking and a minor in drawing.
The next few years brought several residencies, fellowships, and grants shaping his vision, curiosity, and determination to become an important and meaningful artist These exhausting and challenging periods brought new, mind-bending yet rewarding confrontations He has worked as a lecturer, juror, and curator, and served as Vice President of The Florida Artist Group for six years At this same time, he agreed to assemble and become President of a group called The Society for Contemporary Art After retiring from Ringling and moving to Chattanooga, TN, he continues to pursue more humanitarian and art-related efforts with organizations such as Mark Making (Mark Making is an altruistic non-profit organization devoted to the less fortunate in our society.)
His influences have been Rembrandt, Rico Lebrun, Lee Bontecou, DeKooning, Frank Stella's journey, Conrad Marc-Relli, and James Brooks.
Collectors:
Mr. and Mrs. Armand Castellani, NY, NY; Mr. and Mrs. Donald King, Palm Beach, FL; Dr. Kenneth Krischer, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest, IL.Mr. Thomas Staley, Tulsa, OK; Burt Reynolds, Jupiter, FL; Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Amherst, VA.