“Open Space” reviewed in RGJ

Craig Mitchell, 'Trout Heaven II', oil on linen, 20 x 24 inchesCraig Mitchell gets to combine his love of nature and the outdoors with fine arts.

Craig Mitchell gets to combine his love of nature and the outdoors with fine arts. He travels all over, but said he found the perfect spot about 40 miles north of Winnemucca in Paradise Valley, where ranches lie at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains. “It’s just become my home away from home,” he said. “It’s a very quaint valley. It resembles Nevada as it was many years ago. The fast food restaurants haven’t made it there, and I hope they never do.” His landscapes and those of four other artists are on display in the “Open Space” exhibit at the Stremmel Gallery through June 16. “Nevadans have a love affair with landscapes because the light in the high desert is different from almost anywhere else in the country,” said Turkey Stremmel, gallery director. Mitchell moved to Reno with his family when he was 15 years old, and said he understands that love affair. He spends about a third of his time outdoors on location with his Labrador retriever, Echo. The longest he was on location was about two weeks in the Sierra when he had to pack in his equipment on a mule. He leaves when he’s run out of paint. “I don’t mind being alone — me, my dog and the stars,” the 50-year-old said. To read more by Geralda Miller, RGJ, see the below or click here.