Ode To Surel
Statement by Cassandra
I first met
Surel Mitchell when I was an art student at the College of Idaho, and I helped
her hang her paintings in the college’s art gallery. It was for a show of work
by a small group of artists called Project Locqa. I remember that Surel had
these stunning, large scale, abstract, colorful paintings. I was then (and am
still now) an abstract painter, and her work really spoke to me. I felt so very
inspired by her energy and her work. And, … she made me think that maybe I too
could make it as an abstract painter.
I later got
to know her through the arts community in Boise, and eventually I worked with
Surel for a few months, trying to help her organize, date, and document some of
her image files and slides. Surel was a joy to be around, she filled her home
and her surroundings with such a positive energy and creativity. We enjoyed
sharp cheese and hot tea, and great conversations in that place. When she
recently passed away in 2011, I know the loss was felt in many hearts. Her home
has since been converted into a non-profit Artist Residency Program, which will
be one of her lasting legacies and a great asset to the Boise community.
For this
edition of commemorative prints I repurposed one of Surel’s common motifs, patterned
circles, and made them my own. It is my personal ode to Surel, and I believe
she would have been pleased.
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