According to Texas artist, Mitch McGee, "I am currently focusing on a collection using plywood that sits somewhere between painting and sculpture.
I illustrate, cut, sand, stain, and assemble each piece by hand. The work consists of layered birch stacked in a way that makes sense dimensionally for the subject.
There is warmth to the wood grain that is appealing. It compliments the subtle shadows created by layers of wood."
The influences for McGee's own artwork came from the style of Pop Art legend, Roy Lichtenstein. According to McGee, "Lichtenstein with a Red Bow was the first piece that started me down this rabbit hole. Roy Lichtenstein took comic strips and repositioned them as lithography. In an almost tongue-in-cheek fashion I wondered how I could take one of his pieces and recreate it in another medium. The easy answer for me was wood. I grew up working with it and, combined with my graphic design background, it left me with a new medium and expression that I think really works." From that start, Houston artist, McGee began to create his own style and establish his unique voice.
Today, his creativity exists in that space between painting and sculpture. In his Birch series, McGee uses pieces of wood, each illustrated, hand cut and stained or painted to create dimensional pieces. Each painting is filled with thick layers and subtle shadows. There is a warmth created by the imperfection of the birch and its grain that creates an emotional connection. Each painting is a labor of love, taking 40 to 50 hours or more to complete.
McGee has created original works inspired by Superhero comics, Sports icons, as well as romantic moments using thick lines and bold colors to bring these scenes to life in his own way. Each artwork is filled with humor, irony, compassion or seduction.
His artwork is currently being exhibited in California, Colorado, New York and Texas. His work is in public and private collections throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Mitch McGee’s artwork was featured in Architectural Digest, Germany, Dwell Magazine, in W Magazine, and a solo exhibit at 1st Dibs in NYC.
The influences for McGee's own artwork came from the style of Pop Art legend, Roy Lichtenstein. According to McGee, "Lichtenstein with a Red Bow was the first piece that started me down this rabbit hole. Roy Lichtenstein took comic strips and repositioned them as lithography. In an almost tongue-in-cheek fashion I wondered how I could take one of his pieces and recreate it in another medium. The easy answer for me was wood. I grew up working with it and, combined with my graphic design background, it left me with a new medium and expression that I think really works." From that start, Houston artist, McGee began to create his own style and establish his unique voice.
Today, his creativity exists in that space between painting and sculpture. In his Birch series, McGee uses pieces of wood, each illustrated, hand cut and stained or painted to create dimensional pieces. Each painting is filled with thick layers and subtle shadows. There is a warmth created by the imperfection of the birch and its grain that creates an emotional connection. Each painting is a labor of love, taking 40 to 50 hours or more to complete.
McGee has created original works inspired by Superhero comics, Sports icons, as well as romantic moments using thick lines and bold colors to bring these scenes to life in his own way. Each artwork is filled with humor, irony, compassion or seduction.
His artwork is currently being exhibited in California, Colorado, New York and Texas. His work is in public and private collections throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Mitch McGee’s artwork was featured in Architectural Digest, Germany, Dwell Magazine, in W Magazine, and a solo exhibit at 1st Dibs in NYC.
