1950 – 2019, Louisiana
Reginald Mitchell is a native of New Orleans. Painfully slight and frail, and with a speech impediment that causes him to stammer, Reginald grew up in the harshness of the projects, subject to regular teasing, taunting, and frequent run-ins with the local thugs. “I’m glad I’m out of there.”
In the early 1990’s, he began to find solace in picture books and soon began to draw and paint scenes of New Orleans, interiors of grand southern mansions, and exotic locations, all pulled from books and energized by Reggie’s vivid colours and unique perception.
When we met him Reggie had broken his foot. “These guys were trying to grab this lady’s purse. I was running to the telephone to call the police, to get her help, but I tripped up on the stairs”. Reggie’s sweetness and innocence shows though his works on paper and canvas.