Studio Chat with Linda Mitchell

We are delighted to present Linda Dent Mitchell, an affiliate member of Banks Mill Studio, who has made an indelible mark on our creative community since joining less than a year ago.

With a passion for experimentation and an innate ability to infuse her artworks with captivating textures and colours, Linda breathes life into her canvases, captivating viewers with her abstract and abstract/figurative creations. Her diverse artistic practice spans traditional mediums such as acrylic on canvas, as well as the incorporation of digital media, enabling her to push the boundaries of artistic expression. Her connection with Banks Mill Studios has also played a pivotal role in her professional development, providing a supportive community of artists and designers. 

Do you have any rituals in the studio? 

I try to have something planned, get into the studio early and always try to clean up at the end of the day.  

What is your preferred medium. What do you work with? 

I returned to my art practice during covid using acrylic on canvas. I love experimenting with texture and surface effects. At the moment I’m using iridescent/glitter paints and sparkle effects. I also like to work on shaped canvas, circles, triangles, and stars of different sizes. I also like to use inks, crayon, and marker pens. Anything which adds texture, interest, and depth to a painting. My imagery is mostly abstract, abstract/figurative and I love using colours. Recently I’ve started to incorporate the animal and insect world to some of my works. I like to stay open minded allowing my art to change and evolve. I also use digital media a lot as how painters were beginning to incorporate digital media into their practice and imagery was the main focus of my PhD in the mid-nineties. These images act as inspiration for my paintings but I also create digital works in their own right. Merchandise is also becoming a big part of my work and I’d really to develop that side of things. 

What do you have planned for your future work? 

Continuing to develop my practice and merchandise. To try and gain more recognition as a painter through social media, exhibitions, and galleries. I would love to be accepted as an artist in some of the top galleries, such as Wyecliffe, Castle, Whitewall, etc. This would give real prominence to my work and myself where they could market my work selling originals and prints. 

Who/what inspires you and your work? 

My inspiration comes from many sources depending on what stage of my career I am. I trained originally as a textile designer, so my work was inspired by textiles and theatre at that time. I also did a lot of work inspired by fairy tales and other aspects of literature. Throughout my BA I was inspired by collage and the work of Picasso. In my MA years I was influenced more theoretically with the writing of artists. Then my PhD was involved with digital media and how this was influencing painters' imagery and practice. I also love Van Gogh who is my all-time favourite. I have been to the Van Gogh Musem in Amsterdam twice and I want to go again this year. In fact, my upcoming exhibition at Banks Mill in July is inspired by Van Gogh’s iconic painting ‘Starry Nights’. 

Do you have any helpful resources/advice that you would recommend to other artists and makers? 

Keep progressing. Be prepared to change. Experiment with lots of media until you find your ‘style’ - and then be prepared to change again if necessary. Be daring. Be bold. Also, if funds allow always use artist quality. My faves are Liquitex, Golden and Arteza. 

Which guests would you invite to your fantasy dinner party? 

With out a doubt - the supremely talented Vincent Van Gogh.

If you weren’t an artist/maker and could choose any career, what would it be? 

An author, I love fairy stories, suspense, mystery, and travel. I also read biographies and autobiographies. On my agenda is to read about Joanna Bonger Van Gogh (Theo Van Gogh’s wife) and how she spent years bringing Vincent’s paintings to the public eye. She is little known but should be highly applauded. 

What have you celebrated in the past twelve months, personally and professionally? 

Being able to return to my gorgeous penthouse on the island of Gozo. So tiny yet so beautiful. One of my balconies looks across the ‘Fliegu’ towards Comino and Malta. I intend to use the island as inspiration for future work. So many things, countryside, sea/underwater, flowers, architecture. The people are also involved in a wide range of crafts, such as lace making, mosaic, jewellery, metal work. Their ‘Festa’s’ are out of this world. These are firework displays are like no other. On a professional level trying to develop my work on a business level has been a focus. Joining Banks Mill Studios has been a massive addition to my practice and development. It is so important to be connected with other artists and designers. 

To see more of their work visit the website and follow Linda on Instagram.