Mark Mitchell Area 4

Painter

Mark’s Web Site

Contact Email Address

Member of Flag since
2020

 

 

Mark’s Bio:

Mark Mitchell is an international artist and painter of Conceptual Pop Art. As a PRATT grad, SVA alum, and former NYC advertising creative director, he has spent his entire career honing his visual communication skills.

Mitchell’s work has been exhibited during ART BASEL MIAMI at SCOPE, shared on digital displays at THE LOUVRE and ARMORY ARTS WEEK NYC, selected by pop-surrealism master RON ENGLISH for BATON ROUGE GALLERY, and gained west coast exposure at bG GALLERY, Santa Monica. He currently has four originals exhibiting on ARTSY.net.

Since relocating to St Petersburg, FL, Mitchell has presented a number of solo shows at noteworthy galleries in the greater Tampa Bay area. His paintings have been awarded at
GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, ART FESTIVAL BETH-EL, ART CENTER SARASOTA, SOFT WATER STUDIOS and the FLORIDA ARTISTS GROUP Annual Members Exhibition atDUNEDIN FINE ARTS CENTER.

Since relocating to St Petersburg, FL, Mark’s paintings have been awarded at GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, ART FESTIVAL BETH-EL, ART CENTER  SARASOTA, SOFT WATER STUDIOS and the FLORIDA ARTISTS GROUP
Annual Members Exhibition at DUNEDIN FINE ARTS CENTER.

Mark has been interviewed on FOX13-TV GOOD MORNING TAMPA BAY and published in TAMPA BAY TIMES. He participated in the GOAT PROJECT’s charity auction at ZooTampa during Super Bowl weekend, and is exhibiting work at FAIRGROUNDS PROJECTS. He’s also been selected as featured artist for permanent showcase in public areas of the new HYATT HOUSE Tampa Airport/Westshore. He is a proud recipient of the CREATIVE PINELLAS Emerging Artist Grant 2019-20, and current Warehouse Arts District member. Opening Fall, 2022, Mitchell’s work will be represented by the area’s newest upscale contemporary art venue, MUSONIUM GALLERY, Tampa.

Mitchell creates bold, colorful large scale paintings—a style which follows in the tradition of classic Pop Artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and most notably, James Rosenquist and Tom Wesselman—but with a 21st-century edge, incorporating elements of urban art and social commentary.

Always in pursuit of “The Big Idea”, Mark has learned how to put concept first, and manipulate imagery to surprise, provoke and reward the viewer.

Artist Statement:

Look deeper. In a world where we are bombarded every day by pictures through mass media, what makes any single image resonate with the viewer? What makes it meaningful? What makes it memorable?

The art that has always appealed to me has never been just a pretty picture. It’s had some extra intangible quality that gave me pause to reflect. Some unique perspective, sense of mystery, an ironic twist or surprising technique that made me stop, pay close attention, and actually think.

This kind of eye-opening art can be especially meaningful today, when it’s becoming increasingly difficult to take anything at face value. We are living in a land of artifice. Spin is the order of the day, as we find ourselves surrounded by a circus of Hollywood celebrities, marketers, politicians, pop stars and specialinterest groups—all out to convince us that their story is the one to believe. But when we pull back the curtain, we often find that what we see, is not nearly what we get.

I believe in art that conveys ideas. My process begins with an observation and a reaction. I explore symbolic and metaphoric visuals via a collage approach to create unique paintings in acrylic on canvas. By drawing on the power of pop culture, I repurpose its icons and techniques to deliver a more personal artistic statement.

My art is intended as a wake-up call, exposing things that may be hidden. Each piece attempts to catch the viewer off-guard and challenge them to make connections, and ultimately see differently some aspect of the world. Through meaningful juxtaposition and social commentary, my work is an exploration of the irony, contradiction, parallels and harmony to be found in 21st-century life.

Exhibitions:

2022

CREATIVE PINELLAS | ARTS ANNUAL 2022 EXHIBITION
Featured Artist, Grantee Group Invitational
Creative Pinellas, Largo, FL

“INITIATION” @ MUSONIUM | GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Select Pieces Featured in Inaugural Group Exhibition
Musonium Gallery, Tampa, FL

“LAND WATER AIR”
Featured Artist in Juried Group Show
Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center, Oakland, FL

WADA | 2nd SATURDAY POP-UP SHOW
Solo Exhibit in Warehouse Arts District Studio Tour
ArtsXchange, St Petersburg, FL

Illuminated Art Boxes | PUBLIC ART
Selected as Featured Artist for Outdoor Display
Sponge Docks Art Walk, Tarpon Springs, FL

FEATURED PANELIST | FLAG VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM
Invited Guest Artist-Panelist in Public Online Discussion:
“Lights, Camera, Video Your Art”
Presented by Florida Artists Group

“HUMAN DISCRETION ADVISED / HDA2”
Featured Artist in Juried Group Show
Tulley-Levine Gallery, St Petersburg, FL 2021

2021

CREATIVE PINELLAS | ARTS ANNUAL 2021 EXHIBITION
Featured Artist, Grantee Group Invitational
Creative Pinellas, Largo, FL

BEYOND THE WALLS | HOTEL EXHIBITION PROGRAM
Selected Solo Artist for Two Locations:
Birch & Vine Restaurant @ The Birchwood Hotel
Teak Restaurant @ The St Pete Pier, St Petersburg, FL
Curated by Creative Pinellas, Largo, FL

VIRTUAL SOLO ART GALLERY | ARTS COAST GALLERIES
Invited Artist for Interactive Online Showcase
Creative Pinellas, Largo, FL

VIRTUAL ARTIST TALK | VIDEO COMMISSION
Look Deeper: The Conceptual Pop Art of Mark Mitchell
Creative Pinellas, Largo, FL

AUGUST GUEST ARTISTS
Featured Artist in Group Exhibition
Five Deuces Galleria, St Petersburg, FL

“OLD FLORIDA SUMMER”
Featured Artist in Themed Group Exhibition
Atelier de SoSi, St Petersburg, FL

HYATT HOUSE | HOTEL COMMISSION
Selected as Featured Artist for Lobby + Common Areas
Hyatt House Tampa Airport Westshore, Tampa, FL

“YOU GOOD?” | COMMISSION
Juried Artist in Group Show Supporting Mental Health
Tulley-Levine Gallery, St Petersburg, FL

PROJECT G.O.A.T | CHARITY AUCTION @ ZOOTAMPA
Selected Artist in High-Profile Super Bowl Weekend Event
ZooTampa, Tampa, FL

WADA | “IMAGINE” MEMBERS EXHIBITION
Featured Artist in Warehouse Arts District Group Show
ArtsXchange, St Petersburg, FL

CREATIVE LOAFING BEST OF THE BAY WINNER
Reader’s Choice for Best Visual Artist, 2nd Place
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL

SUNCOAST CULTURE CLUB ARTIST INTERVIEW
Featured Artist on Audio Podcast