Introducing Joan Mitchell, by Mandy Jiang

Joan Mitchell (1925–1992) was born in Chicago. Much of her career took place in France, however. 

Mitchell was an abstract expressionist painter and printmaker. As an integral member of the American abstract expressionist movement, Joan Mitchell was known for her large, abstract oils on canvas. She was one of the first female painters of the era to gain critical and public acclaim.

 "Known for compositional rhythms, bold coloration, and sweeping gestural brushstrokes, her works wager on the expressive potential of the painterly mark itself. Finding inspiration in nature and poetry, her aim was to convey emotions" (Martinique, "Widewalls")

George Went Swimming at Barnes Hole, but It Got Too Cold, 1957. Oil on canvas

Merci, 1992. Oil on canvas

Blueberry, 1969. Oil on canvas

Quotes: 

"My paintings aren’t about art issues. They’re about a feeling that comes to me from the outside; from landscape... the painting is just a surface to be covered. Paintings aren’t about the person who makes them, either. My paintings have to do with feelings."

"Don’t be worried about rejection. I say that now. It’s terrible, I asked one of my dealers years ago ‘If I don’t sell are you going to dump me?’ And he said, ‘Sure.’ But sales don’t make a show.”

Sources

https://www.joanmitchellfoundation.org/

https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/joan-mitchell-paintings-auction