By DARLA MCCAMMON
Lakeland Art Association

WARSAW — Bernie Mitchell was a drywall finisher back in 1990. You know – the stuff they nail up on the studs to cover the walls in homes. The same stuff they tape up along the seams and then use a product called drywall mud to cover the tape and give the wall a seamless look. They also used to take the mud and make designs, on the ceiling.  This was called a popcorn ceiling depending on the design. Today, most interior designers prefer drywall ceilings to be smooth.

Mitchell, our drywall practitioner, was already a bit of an artist in his spare time. As a hobby he had worked and tooled and carved many intricate designs into leather. This intrigued him and one day he had the inspiration to try to leave the same kind of carved impressions in this drywall mud or what is also called joint compound. You can buy this at any home improvement store and try it yourself. You can apply it to your walls at home, or use small pieces of drywall for freestanding work, or some have also applied the mud successfully to canvas panels.

Mitchell’s first attempts were made by pressing things like wheat or other plants into the wet mud. He then removed the stalks and left behind the sunken impression that was allowed to dry. His imagination was not yet done, however, and he began experimenting more with his mud using drywall trowels, tools, even dry paintbrushes.

Rather than etching designs as an impression, as in his early attempts, he began creating raised relief designs that astounded everyone who saw them. Natural light in the rooms where he worked kissed the designs and figures he had created and left some very attractive effects on the walls.

It was not long before he left his original work of sealing seams behind and moved into permanent wall sculpture creations. Just type Bernie Mitchell in your Google search bar to see multiple examples of his work, including videos.

Mitchell has developed his technique and now offers very creative designs, mostly inspired by nature. He favors outdoor subjects. His scenes by the lakeshore show trees, rock-strewn coves, birds and ducks such as herons, loons and mallards. Included in his repertoire we find the reason I was initially attracted to his ingenious work: His wonderful portrayal of various canines that include dogs and wolves.

The work can be messy. Mitchell begins with joint compound and adds water to the right consistency. He applies his mixture to a primed wall making sure it is the right consistency to adhere to the wall. Other artists have emulated his technique, some adding color to the mix. Creating the texture of fur or water can be tricky but Mitchell has perfected this technique. If you like to try new things, check it out the internet and give it a try. We might invite you to come and join the Lakeland Art Association.

Upcoming and Current Events:                                                                                              

•  February 22, Reception for the The 92 County Art Show at Honeywell center.
• LAA New location now open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, at 302 E. Market St.
• The Kim Rieff exhibit is at Warsaw City Hall. Rieff teaches art at Grace College. Visit this gallery from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily on the main floor. Soon to be replaced with Grace student art.

Contact your author/artist Darla McCammon at email: [email protected]. Or web site at www.darlamc.com.