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Paris Archangel by Dean Mitchell

Social media has enriched life more than any other medium ever known to mankind.  At the same time I prepare to write this post about a Kansas City artist we have lost, I am introduced to another one I have found.

Whether my love for art comes from realizing early in my life that my skill (as an illustrator) is limited to biological drawings in school projects is highly probable.    You see I admire talents (that I do not posses), particularly when done exceptionally well by others.  Many times I find very talented artists to be humble about their talent and mostly unassuming people.  This conversation is about two extremely talented artists with a Kansas City connection.  One we lost, and one we have found, albeit late for some as well as an introduction for others (like me).

Nevertheless, here is the tale of two distinguished Kansas City artists, lost and found.

An article in the paper contained an image along with the story about a local artist, Dean Mitchell.  I was struck to find the photo was a painting and not a live subject.  Thinking that someone talented enough to make a poor reproduction in a paper look live, deserved a closer look.  I wanted to meet Dean Mitchell.  This was in 1991 and the internet wasn’t nearly as friendly or info rich as it is now, so finding more about him didn’t provide me immediate results.   This is the first wrinkle, he had little exposure or support in the art community.  He had worked at Hallmark but the work was somewhat confining and he wanted to put more into his development as an artist.

One evening at an awards program I sat at the head table, thinking more about when this event would be over, when Dean Mitchell was announced.  The very best at their business seem to have an easy, down to earth personality despite having powerful personalities in their work.  People like Alexander Julian, Clark Terry and Dean Mitchell have that wonderful mastery of powerful talent and unassuming warmth you rarely find in the best of people.  Dean Mitchell  had only one gallery, in Manhattan, Kansas, that regularly held showings of his work at that time.

His association with art galleries that put his work online started the ball rolling. While the internet is a great place to increase exposure it is critical that your product or service, like Dean’s, is the best that can be found.  Dean Mitchell was invited to a prestigious competition of the 25 best artists.  Though he did not win, the sponsor purchased Dean’s work for his personal collection.  At that time Dean was the youngest artist invited to submit an original work for the competition.  Today Dean Mitchell has over 200 awards, and for my money is the finest realist in the country.

Our loss, this internationally recognized and award winning painter now lives in Tampa, Florida after first moving back to Quincy, Florida where his grandmother had raised him.  More than the lack of support for an outsider in the Kansas City arts community (thankfully it seems more inclusive with the Arts District coming online), Dean Mitchell needed what KC did not provide, a home that allowed his talent to flourish.  So he took his art supplies, talent and bright future home to Florida.  That was our loss.

Painting by Kansas City artist Lonnie Powell

Many times we experience the “circle of life” effect where one passes on and in it’s place one starts anew.  But the Kansas City artist found (at least by me) was on a parallel track during the time Dean Mitchell was here.  The artist I refer to is Lonnie Powell.  Fortunately, I was introduced to Lonnie Powell’s work through Facebook by a local judge and  lover of art and music.  Reviewing Lonnie Powell’s work online game me a hint of the broad range of media he is comfortable with and styles he masters.

Coming from a teaching background with a degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, Lonnie Powell lives the rich life of a giver.   A life enriched with the power of supporting the arts and it’s community.  This led to his founding of The Light In The Other Room, an association of local African-American artists of which he is the President of that organization.

Persistence by Lonnie Powell

Lonnie uses light and form that transforms my attention from a painting into the work itself.  Without any more technical skill than I mentioned before, I am taken by Powell’s expression of life through his work.  I hope one day to meet Lonnie Powell and I hope the general population becomes familiar with his wonderful work.  Let’s sponsor and promote the art community as well as we ever have and give them the recognition they deserve for making all our lives richer and better for us all.

Kansas City, don’t lose this one and let unparalleled talent become attracted to any other place than here.  Living in Kansas City has always seemed akin to living in a community art gallery, full of museums and fountains and statues and gardens.  That is precisely what makes this city so beautiful, inside and out.    Let us hold up those that live to give the best in them and share it with all of us.

It is a pleasure getting to know more about the art community in Kansas City.  I am too sure there are tons more out there deserving of recognition and praise.  Let us hear from you, about your favorite artist, museum or gallery.  Keep us up to date on who is showing where and when.  We will build our arts support from the ground up.  The more the merrier.

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