fine artist • oil painter • sign painter • commissions knmitchell@me.com 262-960-6610
Biography
I grew up in the north suburbs of Chicago and attended Judson University in Elgin, Illinois where I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts in 1998.
In fall of 2001, I continued my education at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. Through this program, I was able to study in Provence, France and meet amazing people who shaped me as an artist and as a person. I received my Masters of Fine Arts with S.C.A.D. in 2003
I met my husband (a culinary arts student) in Savannah shortly after completing my M.F.A. requirements and moved back to Chicago to get married.
After a few years we were whisked away to "grand" Quincy, Illinois in 2005 to open a restaurant with friends. Despite being a small city in the middle of farm country, Quincy has a rich history and a vibrant arts scene. I was heavily involved with the Quincy Arts Center and earned respect there with winning several juried exhibition awards. Along with becoming a mother of 3 and running a catering and confection business with my husband, I also continued to paint and take on several commissions.
My artwork is a combination of collage, drawing and oil paint that usually focuses on the human figure. I am fascinated by the human condition and generational gaps. Since being married and having kids, much of my focus is on the complexities of domestic life and perceptions of being a homemaker from today compared to yesterday.
Color is also a focus when I paint. I am inspired by abstract color landscapes of Mark Rothko, the bright bathtub still lifes of Pierre Bonnard and the rich brushy flesh tones of contemporary Jenny Saville.
I moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the spring of 2019 and look forward to continuing my artistic growth in this small but progressive midwestern city.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2003 M.F.A. in Painting, Savannah College of Art and Design; Savannah, Georgia
2002 Lacoste School of the Arts in France, Lacoste in the region of Provence France
1998 B.A., Master in Art with emphasis in Painting and Drawing, Judson College; Elgin, Illinois
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2018 - 2019 Marketing Manager & Designer, BoodaLu Steakhouse, Quincy, Illinois; March 2018 to present
2015 - 2016 fall and winter semesters, Associate Professor, John Wood Community College: Art Appreciation, Quincy, Illinois
2012 - present: Owner and curator at Bittersweet Gallery, Quincy, Illinois
2011 - 2012 Associate Professor, John Wood Community College: Humanities 101, Quincy, Illinois
2010 Juror for Student Juried Art Exhibition, Culver Stockton College
2005 Professor of Art, Judson University: Studio Critiques and Methods, spring semester
2000 Professor of Painting, Judson College: Introduction to Painting at Judson University, fall semester.
1999 - 2000 Photojournalist, Lakeland Publisher, Grayslake, Illinois; Copley Papers; Elgin, Illinois.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Brewhemia, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; April - June
2017 Gallery Solaro, 905 York Street, Quincy, Illinois; Summer
2011 Gray Gallery, Quincy University; Quincy, Illinois; February 7 - 26
2008 John Wood Community College, Heath Center Art Gallery, Quincy, Illinois; June
2008 Gallery Outre, Quincy, Illinois; February 8 - April 25
2005 Culver Stockton College, Canton Missouri; September 8 - 28
2005 The Fine Arts Gallery; Hannibal, Missouri; July 22 - August 30
2003 Recent Works: an M.F.A. Thesis exhibition; Savannah, Georgia; October 10 - 30
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Quad Cities Airport Gallery, Moline, Illinois; August 28 - October 30
2009 “Bad Housekeeping”; Flax Gallery/Art Dimensions, Saint Louis, Missouri
2006 Gallery Outre, opening exhibition; Quincy, Illinois
2006 Mary S. Oakley Prospectus, Quincy Art Center; Quincy, Illinois
2005 In Progress: a Group Show; Simple Balance Gallery, Elgin Illinios; May 27 - June 3
2003 “Art Prom”; Savannah College of Art and Design; Savannah, Georgia
2002 Fall Vernissage; Lacoste, France
2002 Spring Vernissage; Lacoste, France
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2017 Mary S. Oakley Prospectus, Quincy Art Center; (Honorable Mention)
2013 Mary S. Oakley Prospectus, Quincy Art Center; (Best of Show)
2011 Mary S. Oakley Prospectus, Quincy Art Center; (Best of Show)
2010 Mary S. Oakley Prospectus, Quincy Art Center; (Best of Show)
2005, 2009 and 2010 Midsummer Arts Faire; Quincy, Illinois
2009 Art St. Louis XXV the Exhibition, St. Louis Missouri, September 6- December 31
2007 Mary S. Oakley Prospectus, Quincy Art Center; Quincy, Illinois
2004 Rockford Midwestern Exhibition, Rockford Art Museum; Rockford, Illinois
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2017 Honorable Mention, Mary S. Oakley Prospectus, Quincy Art Center;
2011 Best of Show, Mary S. Oakley Prospectus; Quincy Arts Center
2010 Best of Show, Mary S. Oakley Prospectus; Quincy Arts Center
2009 Award of Excellence, Midsummer Arts Faire; Quincy, Illinois
2005 Artistic Merit Award, Midsummer Arts Faire; Quincy, Illinois
2001 Board of Trustees Fellowship, Savannah College of Art and Design.
Best of Class 1994 -1998, Best of Show 1997/1998; Judson College Student Juried Art Show
COLLECTIONS
Judson University, Lindner Center; Elgin, Illinois
Lacoste School of the Arts; Provence, France
Katherine Sandoz, Professor of Illustration and Freelance Illustrator; Savannah, Georgia
Paula Wallace, President of Savannah College of Art and Design; Savannah, Georgia
Caine Cortellino, Candidate for Georgia Congress; Savannah, Georgia
John Rokusek, C.E.O. Rokusek Design; Quincy, Illinois
Michael Bayles, Art collector and owner of Boodalu Steakhouse; Quincy, Illinois