James Oliver Mitchell • b. 1933 d. 2021
For Jim, photography was very personal. He took his first photograph at 10 years old. His career spanned seven decades capturing moments from the 1950's Beat Era & 1960's Counter Culture, through the 80s & 90s. In 1973 he received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. His photos have been shown in museums and galleries throughout the U.S. and Europe.
He taught Photography at several colleges including the S.F. Art Institute, Stanford University, S.F. State and Chabot College. Jim also enjoyed 16 years working at Adolph Gasser, Inc., where he made life-long friends.
Military
United States Air Force 1953-1957
United States Army Reserve 1975-1993
Education
San Francisco Art Institiute B.F.A 1964
Lone Mountain College M.F.A. 1974
Articles about James O. Mitchell
A Long Overdue Look at James O. Mitchell's Expressive and Evocative Portraits Aperture.org:
Delphine Sims on James Oliver Mitchell's portrait of Diane di Prima: https://bampfa.org/event/views-and-voices-delphine-sims-james-oliver-mitchells-portrait-diane-di-prima
Solo Shows
Last Solo Gallery Exhibition: SHOH Gallery, Berkeley, CA. 2020
SHOH Gallery, Berkeley, CA 2018 & 2020
Group Shows
Publications
Street Photography
James O. Mitchell began shooting on the streets of New York early in his career and, later, San Francisco. He spent almost twenty years capturing images of San Francisco during lunch breaks from his day job at Adolph Gasser. The lunch project represents his largest body of work. He shot thousands of rolls of 35mm film on this project alone. He left behind over 500 rolls of undeveloped film, contents unknown.
Diane di Prima
James O. Mitchell and poet Diane di Prima were lifelong friends who frequently corresponded with each other by mail. He photographed her many times during her life.
Delphine Sims on James Oliver Mitchell's portrait of Diane di Prima: https://bampfa.org/event/views-and-voices-delphine-sims-james-oliver-mitchells-portrait-diane-di-prima
Jack Kerouac
In 1963 James O. Mitchell spent a day photographing Jack Kerouac, Phillip Whalen and Bill Morris in San Francisco, CA.
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Mark Green papers: https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/items/detail/jack-kerouac-9878