Today we’d like to introduce you to Lois Mitchell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lois. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always loved to draw! My goal is to add beauty, relaxation, laughter, and interest to your day. My personal dream is to make my living with my art.
I grew up in a musical, creative family. I majored in music composition in college. As an adult, I worked in finance and then software design, testing, programming, documentation, and training. I turned to art when my family underwent major stress. Painting and drawing always brought me calmness and happiness. I kept going with my art and started doing shows. I took art classes and earned an Illustration Certificate from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. I gained confidence in being an artist.
A few years ago, life circumstances led me to live in Lowell in an artist community at Western Avenue Studios and Lofts. I loved being around other artists, and living there brought me more focus. Recently, I moved to New Hampshire (just over the state line, still close to Boston). My full-time efforts are to create more art!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a hard road, paved with the most exhilarating highs at various points. The biggest struggles have been: learning what it is I want to do, matching what I enjoy with what people want, convincing myself and my loved ones that the time I take to do this work is important, and deciding all along the way whether to keep going or to do something else because of financial stress.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I work with extreme detail and realism in my work. I have developed special techniques, such as using a CMY color wheel in my paintings rather than red, blue, and yellow. I’ve invested a lot of money and time into how I create handmade maps. I’m proud of the times when I’ve made it into juried shows that I value, every time I make a sale, and every time someone stops to linger and look a little longer at one of my pieces.
I paint realistic watercolor paintings, and I would love to sell more of these. I also create illustrations that are both realistic and whimsical. I’ve done numerous portraits of houses, people, and animals. I make my images available as prints, on cards, and on other merchandise. I also make digital illustrations. I’ve illustrated four published children’s books, and a fifth is almost done. The latest book is about the trolley that runs in Lowell. I developed 3D expressive illustrated topographic maps, which I create by manipulating USGS data, adding illustrations, and gluing layers by hand. People who see the 3D maps seem to really enjoy them!
I have just joined Patreon (www.patreon.com/loismitchell), an online platform where the public can support artists doing their creative work. My reward levels start at $1/month. Supporters get first access to new work, plus additional rewards. More of my work is at www.LoisMitchellArt.com.
What were you like growing up?
I was a very quiet child. I preferred playing at home by myself or with my family than with friends. I spent a lot of time outdoors, swinging, looking at tiny things in nature, and playing in sand with water. I always loved to draw.
As an adult, I match the profile of an INTJ on the Myers-Briggs inventory. Being a female INTJ makes me feel somewhat isolated, but I don’t mind that at all. Because of my personality, I have been able to focus intently on my work and not give up easily.
Contact Info:
- Address: Lois Mitchell, Artist
14 Partridge Circle
Hudson NH 03051 - Website: www.LoisMitchellArt.com
- Phone: 617-460-1894
- Email: loismitchell@earthlink.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lois-Mitchell-Artist-337490288938
- Other: http://patreon.com/loismitchell
Image Credit:
Lois Mitchell
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