Mitchell Gibson
Could you tell us about yourself and your background?
I was born and raised in a small farming community in North Carolina. My father was a violent man and when I was five years old, my mother ran away from him with myself and my four siblings. We were homeless for several years. My grandfather let us sleep on the floor in his home until my mother could save enough money to secure a house.
My Mother did not get along well with her parents and there was a lot of yelling and fighting. I started drawing and sketching as a way of drowning out the chaos. I loved the feeling of drawing down beauty from the heavens and trapping it on canvas.
When did you decide to pursue a career as an artist?
I started painting when I was 10. I entered art contests and won. Art was a refuge for me.
What does your artwork aim to say?
I want to impart a sense of love and wonder for the creative process. I want my audience to take the creative journey with me. Getting lost in the wonder of possibility is more than half the fun.
How do you stay motivated and productive in your art practice?
I need to get my creative juices going in order to paint or draw. I remove my clothes, turn on some sensual music, and meditate for about an hour. Sexual arousal helps a lot. Just being honest. I also bathe my body in sunlight during this time. Sunlight speaks to me and greatly empowers the creative process. It sets up and fuels the fire in my mind. I also draw images, color, form, and texture from the fabric of music.
How has your artistic career progressed and changed over time?
Initially, I painted during my spare time after work. My work did not sell well at all but the passion kept me going. When I was 27, I began meditating seriously on a daily basis and I experienced a tremendous outburst of creative energy. I created over 100 pieces that year. I sold a few pieces and that inspired me. A couple of galleries picked up my work and I sold a few more pieces. I completed my medical training and continued to paint and exhibit in my spare time. Over time, I placed my work online and that really helped with exposure. I was eventually able to close my medical practice and pursue my art full-time.
Who are your biggest influences?
Pablo Picasso, Kandinsky, Calder, Jackson Pollock, Rembrandt.
Which elements are essential to an artist’s work?
Patience, passion, love, anger, focus.
Which function does the artist fulfill in society?
Artists are the conscience of the world. We say things that are often only preconscious. Art is the medium through which to express the hidden fires of the soul.
What do you want your artwork to stand for?
I strive to stand for potential and elevation. I want to show humans what we are capable of when we look to speak of the divine.
What are your long-term goals for your career?
I want to be remembered. I want my art to be valued for what it is. I want people to look at my work and see something they have never experienced before.
