JR Mitchell – Betty Lou, Abstract Figurative Painting, 2017 Painting

JR Mitchell (Raymond Mitchell Perusina Jr.) is a contemporary abstract painter based in Palm Springs, California, known for his quirky, narrative-driven artworks that blend humor, theater, and modern abstraction. Born in Northern California, he lived in San Francisco and Los Angeles before settling in Palm Springs, drawing inspiration from the cultural energy of each city. His background includes studies in business administration at City College of San Francisco and acting at Studio A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theater) in San Francisco, as well as the Loft Studio and Sherwood Oaks Film School in Los Angeles. After stepping away from Hollywood, Mitchell turned to painting, encouraged by an artist friend who offered him studio space—marking the beginning of his career in contemporary art. Mitchell’s work is best described as abstract yet playful, often incorporating theatrical elements and storytelling. His first major work, Full House (2014), presents a stage scene with an aspiring actor (perhaps himself) waiting in the wings. Another early piece, Bibi’s Wedding (2015), narrates a love story through a surreal cast of characters surrounding a blue truck, with symbolic details like a stage curtain and a knife blurring the line between reality and imagination. The Hashtag Series (2014), comprising 62 small oil paintings on paper, showcases portraits, caricatures, landscapes, and abstract motifs—visual categories that continue to define his art today. While Mitchell has produced large-scale contemporary canvases, his preferred medium is small-scale oil on paper, which allows for intimate detail and spontaneous expression. His paintings are collected internationally by those seeking quirky, conversation-starting abstract artworks that merge modern expression with theatrical narrative. Collectors and interior designers often seek his works for their originality, versatility, and ability to spark dialogue in both residential and commercial spaces. Custom commissions are available upon request, allowing clients to bring Mitchell’s unique quirky abstract style into their personal collections.