Watch Joan Mitchell: Portrait of an Abstract Painter

Joan Mitchell was an abstract painter who grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She studied at Smith College in Massachusetts. She earned her BFA and MFA at the Art Institute in Chicago. She was an independent spirit who lived in New York, and in Paris most of her life. She got a travel scholarship to Paris that eventually became her home. Her paintings were physically big, and her art was even bigger. Two of her main themes in her abstract art were nature and violence. She is an inspiration to all who want to pursue their dreams ,but are afraid to do so.