Our community of artists is the core foundation of Artfinder. With such a vast community based in all corners of the world, we wanted to help them share more about their artist journey, their artistic process and technique and what inspires them. Today, we chat with one of our amazing painters, Rory Mitchell.
Can you introduce yourself, where you are from and how long you have been with Artfinder for?
My name is Rory Mitchell, a Scottish artist that now finds himself living near Oslo in Norway. Since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 1999, I have exhibited widely. I have happily been on Artfinder since 2015.
How would you describe your work?
My art attempts to describe relatable, yet bizarre narratives.
What influences you and your work?
Human nature can be a common theme and starting point in my work. My wish is to capture the trials and tribulations that many live through in the course of their life. These narratives tend to be further embellished or contrasted by the inclusion of other elements. Perhaps most notably, the backgrounds I use can often depict the natural world around us or the night sky above us.
What does your creative process involve?
My sketchbooks contain hundreds of thumbnail sketches and doodles, that are drawn in leisurely moments. The ones that I find the most interesting, imaginative and compelling are then further elaborated in larger drawings. These drawings often act as compositional guide for later oil on canvas paintings.
Have you changed as an artist overtime?
There has been a large, but gradual change in how I approach the production of my art. Stylistically and thematically, my paintings now may well be similar to the ones done when I first started. However, I have become a lot more structured and decisive when working. It may well be a wisdom or an awareness of the speedy passing of time have sharpened my wits!
What’s your favourite artwork you created and why?
'The wonderings of a monkey' is a painting that still fills me with warmth to this day. The escapism of the piece was a perfect antidote to my heavy concerns about world events when I was working on it. The process of creating it was an absolute pleasure and I often recall fond memories when I look at the painting.
What do you think is the role of art/artists in society?
Art still retains a major, but yet under appreciated, influence in society. It has ways to alter emotions, describe a story or reflect on the world we find ourselves in. And it can achieve all this at a moment's glance! Art can be found in every nook and cranny of our society. It is so efficient and deep rooted in our experiences, that people don't often dwell on it.
What advice do you have for emerging artists looking to make a living out of their art career?
My advice would likely be to try and have a realistic outlook and soften any grand ambitions. The art world can be challenging and emotionally fraught, but happiness can be found in achieving small steps.
Cover image via Rory Mitchell
