ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Wendy Mitchell is a self-taught artist based in Toronto, specializing in highly detailed graphite portraiture. Using photographs as her reference, Wendy has completed a wide range of commissions, each showcasing her exceptional ability to render lifelike and expressive images. Wendy delights in how the medium of graphite demands simplification and focus. Her ultimate goal is to capture moments suspended in time, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with the stories within her portraits.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
– Awarded Honourable Mention at FASM’s 2025 Juried Art Show, Holcim Gallery (August-September 2025)
– Awarded Honourable Mention at the 151st Ontario Society of Artists Annual Open Juried Exhibition ‘The Unquiet North’, Donna Child Fine Art Gallery (June-July 2025)
– Awarded Second Place at the Colour and Form Society’s 2025 Member’s Exhibition, Neilson Park Creative Centre (April-May 2025)
– Achieved Elected Member Status in the Colour and Form Society (January 2025)
– Awarded the People’s Choice Award at the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery’s 2024 Juried Exhibition ‘Facing Forward’ (August-September 2024)
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am captivated by the magic that exists between mark making and final artwork. I love to stand close, nose to canvas, to examine individual marks, and then slowly back up to experience that thrilling instant when isolated marks suddenly disappear and the art as a whole comes into focus. Using photos as a reference, I create graphite portraits with this moment in mind. My deep love for drawing shines through in my baby and toddler portraits, where I use the simplicity of pencil on traditional paper or drafting film to capture fleeting moments and radiant smiles.
Completed Portraiture
Reference Photo
Finished Portrait
Framed Example
Other Examples
