An Interview with Ellen Mitchell
Ellen Mitchell - Artist and Teacher
I recently interviewed Ellen Mitchell, an 81-year-old multi-skilled artist and art teacher living in Colorado. She has a lifetime of experience drawing, making pottery, doing batik, weaving, taking pictures and exploring many unique forms of art. The caliber of her work, particularly in batik, has allowed her to make a living as an art teacher and an independent artist.
Ellen’s start in art was not easy. Her parents, while stable and loving in their own way, had neither the resources nor the interest in supporting any formal art training. Consequently, she was limited to drawing pictures throughout her schooling years. It was only after she graduated from college that she had the freedom to explore her wider talents. From Ellen’s mid-twenties on she essentially taught herself a half dozen high level art skills. She then transferred her excitement for what she had learned to the many students she influenced throughout life.
Ellen’s start in art was not easy. Her parents, while stable and loving in their own way, had neither the resources nor the interest in supporting any formal art training. Consequently, she was limited to drawing pictures throughout her schooling years. It was only after she graduated from college that she had the freedom to explore her wider talents. From Ellen’s mid-twenties on she essentially taught herself a half dozen high level art skills. She then transferred her excitement for what she had learned to the many students she influenced throughout life.
A brief preview of Ellen as a successful artist and teacher
Ellen standing in Rocky Mountain National Park where she loves to draw and paint
|
Ellen uses the tailgate of her truck as an art table when she goes to the mountains
|
Options for listening to this interview...
As a listener, you have three main choices for hearing to Ellen's story. If you are short of time, listen to story number 2. It gives perhaps the best flavor of Ellen as a person and a teacher. If you have approximately 20 minutes, then try listening to all three story segments. They will give you a sense of Ellen as a child, as a mature adult, and as an artist in her later years. Finally, if you have an hour, then try listening to the full interview (at the bottom of this webpage). It provides the best picture of Ellen as a lifelong artist.
1. Ellen's awakening to her art interests and the role model she had in her uncle Terry
Ellen had a passion for art from an early age and that interest was unsupported until her uncle Terry came to visit. Ellen tells us how his example pointed the way to the artistic life she ultimately led.
2. Ellen brought her passion for art to North Country School and it made a difference
At this stage of Ellen's story (in her mid thirties) Ellen became an art teacher. She had gained a range of essential art skills and she wanted to share them with others. This segment shows what passion and high expectations can achieve with students.
3. Drawing and painting mountains and teaching others to do the same
In her 70s and 80s Ellen produced art a furious pace. She found it gave her joy and a sense of connection with nature. She is now leaving an art legacy as she teaches others her most recently developed skills.
A sampling of Ellen's art that she has put on cards in the last ten years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entire interview -minimally edited
Ellen Mitchell is a good story teller and she has a lot to say. I found it difficult to condense the interview down to a few minutes and episodes. Every part of the interview gives the content that follows greater meaning and depth. For those of you who want to hear all that she had to say, you can go to these halves of the podcast.
The Music for this show was created by Podington Bear, Bortexx and Kai Engel. Their work can be found at Free Music Archive.
A BRIEF PREVIEW
Artist: Podington Bear. Track: Steps. Album: Piano II - Felt. Sound Track Minimalism, Piano. Steps is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial license.
ELLEN'S AWAKENING
Artist: Borrtex. Track: Moment of Surprise. Album: Something Special. Sound Track Instrumental. Something Special is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL SEGMENT
Artist: Borrtex. Track: Moment of Surprise. Album: Something Special. Soundtrack: Ambient, Contemporary, Classical. Licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
Artist: Borrtex. Track: One Moment. Album: Peaceful Mind. Soundtrack: Ambient, Contemporary, Classical. Licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
DRAWING AND PAINTING MOUNTAINS
Artist: Borrtex. Track: Our Home. Album: Creation. Soundtrack: Instrumental. Creation is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
Artist: Kai Engel. Track: Soli. Album: Caeli. Soundtrack: Classical, Ambient. soli is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
A BRIEF PREVIEW
Artist: Podington Bear. Track: Steps. Album: Piano II - Felt. Sound Track Minimalism, Piano. Steps is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial license.
ELLEN'S AWAKENING
Artist: Borrtex. Track: Moment of Surprise. Album: Something Special. Sound Track Instrumental. Something Special is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL SEGMENT
Artist: Borrtex. Track: Moment of Surprise. Album: Something Special. Soundtrack: Ambient, Contemporary, Classical. Licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
Artist: Borrtex. Track: One Moment. Album: Peaceful Mind. Soundtrack: Ambient, Contemporary, Classical. Licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
DRAWING AND PAINTING MOUNTAINS
Artist: Borrtex. Track: Our Home. Album: Creation. Soundtrack: Instrumental. Creation is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
Artist: Kai Engel. Track: Soli. Album: Caeli. Soundtrack: Classical, Ambient. soli is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
