Artist Statement
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things, which escape those who dream only by night. ~ Edgar Allan Poe
My intent is to capture a world that’s been subverted by intellect. As children, we are acutely aware of the moments and experiences that shape our understanding of our lives and events. That view of the world, however, becomes polluted by culture and society as we age. Those extremes blend reality and fantasy that, as adults, we tend to visit only in our dreams.
My Mythos series depicts the early moments in an experience and then illustrates the steps that allow us to see beyond the surface, where flashes of stillness, anxiety, wonder and mystery present themselves through familiar and invented allegories. Those dreamlike fabrications bestow the dichotomies of good vs. evil, fantasy vs. reality, awake vs. dreaming — and the axis that connects them all.
Process Statement
Process is as important to my work as the work itself. After a Mythos image has been concluded, I use a transfer technique that enhances the quality of the work. The final imagery is uniquely presented on wood panels instead of being matted and framed, and covered with a UV gloss varnish instead of glass. The imagery is shown in its raw state much like a painting. Photography to me is really a form of painting, and this process allows the viewer to see the artist’s hand in the work instead of an untouchable flawless print trapped in glass and metal.
Blue Mitchell is an independent publisher, curator, and photographer. Based in Portland, Oregon, he has been involved with many facets of the photographic arts. Mitchell received his BFA from Oregon College of Art & Craft. Since then, he has curated and juried several photography exhibitions, created an online photography gallery (platestopixels.com), and launched a new fine art photography magazine called Diffusion. In his personal work he implements many photographic techniques including toy cameras, pinhole, film and digital cameras as well as alternative processes, scanners, aged paper, wax, installation, collage, and hand drawing. Most recently Mitchell has been specializing in Acrylic Lifts and Burnt Transparencies. His work has been exhibited throughout the U.S.
twitter
linkedin