1855-1927) worked as a waiter, an insurance man, and a farmer, while his mother Carrie Swazey Mitchell (1858-1928) was a college-educated schoolteacher.
[3] In 1913, Mitchell took up the serious study of art, having approached San Diego’s most distinguished artist, landscape painter Maurice Braun, for lessons.
[1] He decided to pursue a career as a professional artist after winning a silver medal for "Coldwater Canyon, Arrowhead Hot Springs" (ca.
An intelligent and highly articulate woman, Dorothea matriculated at Pomona College in 1912 and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley.
She traveled with him, hosted picture showings at their home studio, monitored sales, and encouraged potential buyers.
Architect Lloyd Ruocco, working in the office of Richard S. Requa, designed an inexpensive but unique house that incorporated two studios.
Early works include "Sunset Glow, California" (1924), "Morning on the Bay" (1923–25), and "Summer Hills" (1929) that captured the beginning of San Diegoʻs suburban sprawl.
His paintings of the Pennsylvania landscape include "The Delaware Valley" (1926–27) that was purchased for the San Diego Fine Arts Gallery.
[1] Mitchell taught painting and drawing through the Adult Education Program of the San Diego City Schools between 1922 and 1953.