Clark Mitchell grew up in the country outside Denver, Colorado.  Living in the shadow of the Rockies, Mitchell developed a love of the natural world at a very early age. Given a set of fine old German pastels by his father when quite young, Mitchell quickly embraced the medium for its ease of handling and brilliance of color, as well as for its portability in working on location.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in art from Colorado College in the early seventies, Clark moved to Northern California to continue his art education, relocating from the Bay Area to Sonoma County in 1982. The beauty of the county remains his main inspiration, though he also makes painting trips around the county and abroad.

Mitchell's preferred subject matter is the landscape.  "I drag the sticks of vibrant pigment across a rough paper surface and by layering, rubbing and erasing, I create the illusion of a three-dimensional scene."  He typically uses the romance or "magic" of a scene to remind the viewer of some rich landscape memory; a spectacular sunset or a favorite locale.

Over the years, Mitchell has studied with some of the best plein air painters, in pastels, oils, and acrylics.  He has been designated both a Master Pastelist as well as a Distinguished Pastelist by the Pastel Society of America.  Mitchell's numerous Best of Show awards include the Laguna Plein Air Festival and the Carmel Arts Festival.  Clark is a popular workshop instructor, teaching students at his rammed earth studio in Sonoma County.