"Travels Through a European Paintbox" |
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Mitch had a great sense of humor, but he also did things simply to amuse himself. In the studio one day, he showed me two books. One was a well-known ceramics book that had been inscribed by the author that read, “Good luck, Mitch!” I was impressed, but the twinkle in his eye gave him away — he had written it there himself! Even better though was the bible he showed me. Mitch listed his religious beliefs as Pantheism, Atheism, and Judaism, so I was surprised to see it. Inside was written, “Mitch, Have a good life. God.” Perhaps that self-written inscription played a role in the extraordinary life he led. I have searched the studio up and down but haven’t been able to find those books. Mitch must have gotten rid of them, but I still hope I will find that bible one day, tucked away somewhere I haven’t looked. |
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Mitch’s favorite book was Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay. He read and reread that book countless times, always telling me how much he got out of it every time he read it. He took it whenever he traveled. On one trip out to California, he called me from the airport to tell me he had left his book on the airplane. He wanted me to call the airlines and have them mail it back home. Rather than do that, I said I would simply reorder a copy for him. |
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The book arrived before Mitch returned, so I decided to pull a “Mitch”. On the inside cover, I wrote, “To Mitch. My favorite colorist! Love your work! Victoria Finlay.” You should have seen his face beaming when I presented it to him after telling him I had had the author sign it for him. Slowly, though he looked at me and saw my little smile, and knew what had happened. |
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As I wrote this newsletter, I realized that as an avid reader, I had never even picked up the book to read it myself. Why hadn’t I? Perhaps because Mitch was always reading it, I never thought to borrow it. For the past three years though, it has been on display in my “memory” room to remind me of Mitch. I realize now that an even better way would be to finally take that book and actually read it. I want to experience the wonder of color like he did. I know I’ll definitely feel Mitch in those pages. |
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Mitch Lyons Studio is dedicated to keeping Mitch's legacy alive through his artwork and teachings. |
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