Sneaky Peek at Moon Rabbits

Thanks again to everyone who entered to win a copy of Geoff Mitchell’s book, Moon Rabbits.  Geoff thought you guys would enjoy a sneak peek at the story inspired by the contest winner’s favorite piece, Trinket.  Click on the link below to see a full-sized version of the book spread.  Enjoy!

Trinket with story by Amy Hicks

PS– If you’d like to order your very own copy of Moon Rabbits, contact Geoff via his website here.

PPS– Once you click the link above, you may need to zoom in a bit, depending on how good your eyesight is. 😉

Win Artsy Stuff: Moon Rabbits WINNER!

Big thanks to everyone who entered the Win Artsy Stuff: Geoff Mitchell book giveaway!  I’m happy to announce the winner of his very own autographed copy of Geoff’s book, Moon Rabbits is Daniel Tjoelker!  Congratulations, Daniel!  Please send me an email ( artsyforager{at}att.net ) with your mailing address so we can get your book on its way.

Daniel’s favorite piece is Trinket ( pictured below ).  Daniel is an artist is his own right, make sure you check out his blog!

Trinket, mixed media ( 6 panels ), 24×36

Win Artsy Stuff! Geoff Mitchell Book Giveaway

*This giveaway ended at 5pm PST on Friday, June 15, 2012.  Thanks to all who entered!

I like free stuff and I bet you do, too!  Especially when it’s artsy stuff and what other kind would we be giving away on Artsy Forager?  This month’s Facebook Featured Artist, Geoff Mitchell, has recently published Moon Rabbits: Pictures and Tales a book project which pairs twenty of Mitchell’s works with short stories inspired by his imagery.

Win this book!

Geoff has been generous enough to offer Artsy Forager readers a chance to win a copy of Moon Rabbits!  To enter, simply comment on this post with your favorite Geoff Mitchell work ( find more of his work on his website here ) and you can get an extra entry by writing your own narrative in your comment below about the story you see unfolding in Geoff’s work.

Good luck!  The contest will end this Friday, June 15, 2012 at 5pm PST.  A winner will be drawn at random and announced on Monday, June 18th!

June Facebook Featured Artist: Geoff Mitchell

I first discovered the work of LA based artist Geoff Mitchell when he opened a solo show at Steve Williams’ Florida Mining Gallery last year.  Steve has impeccable taste in art, so of course, I was immediately intrigued and blown away by Geoff’s work.  In case you missed it, you can read my initial feature on Geoff’s work here.  Since that first feature, Geoff has been busy creating new work and collaborating on a book project– more about his book later today!

The Emperor’s Night Garden, mixed media on panel, 97×105

While the images with which Geoff works are representational in nature, his method of composition is free and intuitive.  Images are chosen for their sheer beauty, interest or what they may bring to the composition texturally.  Chosen found imagery doesn’t necessarily relate to the other images around it, or at least not intentionally.

Crossing the Needles, mixed media on panel, 97×105

Geoff works from the principal of the sensation of pareidolia, a “psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus, often an image or sound, being perceived as significant”.  His works are telling stories, but not of the artist’s making, but of the viewers.  He provides the stimuli, we fill in the story with our own memories and meaning.

Stage 3, mixed media on panel, 20×20

Ivory Lolly, mixed media on panel, 20×20

To see more of Geoff Mitchell’s work, please check out his ( newly designed! ) website and his cover image & album on the Artsy Forager Facebook page.  If you happen to be near Biloxi, MS, don’t miss his solo exhibition, Chaos at the Confessional at the Ohr-O’Keeffe Museum, opening June 12, on display until November 24, 2012.

Featured image is a detail of The Emperor’s Night Garden.  All images are via the artist.

Artsy on Escape Into Life: Geoff Mitchell

I absolutely adore work that is marries striking visual elements and imagination stirring imagery.  Come and take a magical ride through Geoff Mitchell’s work with me over on Escape Into Life today!

Zipper, mixed media on panel, 20×20

Geoff Mitchell on Escape Into Life

Curious Amalgamations of the Unrelated: Geoff Mitchell

It seems to be human nature to look for meaning in everything.  We agonize over the meaning of baby names before choosing monikers for our offspring, we overanalyze  other people’s words to find out what they really meant, we take silly quizzes that tell us what our favorite color says about who we are.  And of course, we look for meaning and subtext in artwork.  Guilty, as charged, officer.  What is the artist trying to say?  What message is being conveyed?  In the case of Geoff Mitchell, it is a case of what the artist is striving not to communicate.

Mayonnaise, mixed media on panel, 20×20

The artist, whose show, Entries of a Diary Thief, opens at Florida Mining in Jacksonville, FL next Friday, creates work driven by the sense of “pareidolia, a psychological misperception involving a vague or obscure stimulus being perceived as something distinct and significant”. ( quote via Florida Mining )

Trinket, mixed media on panel, 24×36

In other words, our tendency to create meaning where there is none.  The artist describes his use of representational imagery as being done  “in a free associative and purely intuitive manner. I mix and layer images together in a way that is reminiscent of an abstract painter layering color.” ( via Florida Mining ) So any “meaning” inferred by the viewer is not intended by the artist himself, but instead by the viewers personal association with the imagery therein.

Zipper, mixed media on panel, 20×20

Derby, mixed media on panel, 12.5×18

So, with that being said, I leave you to draw your own conclusions about Mitchell’s work.  His sense of color, composition and design are undeniable, which is what makes the unrelated imagery so compelling and visually arresting.

Drop, mixed media on panel, 20×20

Please visit Geoff Mitchell’s website to see more of his work online.  If you’re in North Florida, don’t miss his show opening December 9, 2011 at Florida Mining.

Featured image is Topaz, mixed media on panel, 60×20.  All images are via the artist’s website.