Meet the Art Teacher

Hi! Nice to Meet You!! 

Welcome to the Art Room Blog for Patapsco Middle School in Ellicott City, Maryland. I’m Mrs. Mitchell, and I get to work with all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students here. I’m started this blog in April of 2007, so be sure to check back frequently for lots of new slide shows and updates.

I started at Patapsco in the 06-07 school year and have had a very warm welcome. I attended The Baltimore School for the Arts from 1988-92 as a Visual Arts major. From there I went on to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and my Master’s Degree in Art Education from the Maryland Institute College of Art. I then worked for 5 years as a product designer and eventually the head of the product design department for an educational toy company. I taught art and a Medieval history class through the arts for 2 years at the Baltimore Lab School before finally arriving here at Patapsco. I hope to be here for many years to come!

I believe art is a visual language that is available to all of us if we are just willing to try thinking differently, thinking visually. Learning how to draw and connecting with that feeling of presence or flow that many artists enjoy takes dedication and practice and open mindedness. It is very much like learning an instrument, and yes, practice matters. In my own studio I love to have just about every material on hand. I love working with process-oriented mediums–art processes that take many steps–like printmaking, textile art, cast sculpture and mixed media. Above all I value a spirit of play when it comes to art. Not knowing exactly where you are going or what the outcome will be is half the fun! Likewise, I constantly encourage my students to experiment with media and make new discoveries. This builds facility and familiarity with materials and enhances personal confidence.

Remember–the site is always being updated so check back soon for more news and pictures from the art room!