Life & Work with Neil Mitchell of Los Angeles / OC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neil Mitchell.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started painting during the pandemic and instantly fell in love with it. I had no intentions of showing anyone my work or thinking of making money off it, it was just for me and my mental health. After getting more and more into it I ended up meeting other artists in different communities and realized how important it is for artists to be with other artists, and also to forge a connection from an artist to their community. So now I try to do markets, open studios, and plein air contests to meet other artists, engage with art lovers, and continue to hone my craft.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are plenty of day to day struggles as well as milestones you hope to achieve and recognition you crave that may come in ways you least expect. An artist you admire or people in the public may not react to pieces in a way you’d hoped, but you always hear the same thing: to keep painting. Like with anything, the path is about being disciplined and painting even when you might feel discouraged, or focus on the victories instead. Painting is a great teacher if optimism, and the art community is incredibly supportive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an oil painter that loves to paint en plein air, convey ideas through surreal imagery, and express myself by experimenting with different ways to express fire, which is a fascinating subject to me. I also practice my portraiture and figurative work because ultimately I’d like to be a well rounded artist. I feel most proud when I see sincere reactions from people who view my work, whatever the emotion may be. That I spent so much effort on a piece and they have such a powerful genuine reaction means a lot to me.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the many iconic cultural spots, the support of the arts, the natural beauty, the diversity in people and cultures. Artists crave diversity, and of course the many subjects around the city provide amazing subjects to paint and express.

Pricing:

• 9×12” paintings: start at $125
• 11×14” paintings: start at $250
• 12×16” paintings: start at $400
• 16×20” paintings: start at $500

Contact Info:

• Website: https://neilpmartwork.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/neil_brush_pen
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/neil_brush_pen