Arts Council visits art studio of Marty Mitchell

The Vernon County Arts Council represented by president Jean Board, vice president Alice Stevenson, secretary Ladine Casey, and Gallery member Donna Garwood made a field trip to Butler, Mo., on March 24, to meet the aweinspiring artist Marty Mitchell. For a positive experience, the VCAC recommends a trip to the Butler square to meet Mitchell and see the hundreds of beautiful art pieces. Contact Sandy at the Herb and Spice Shop, 200 N. Main, to be directed to Marty's Studio; call (660) 679-5060 or (877) 3536902.

The following press release on Marty Mitchell written by Mary Ford, Mitchell's personal representative, was provided to the VCAC.

"Marty Mitchell" "What do you see when you see a box of corn flakes? Most of us see breakfast or a cardboard box that will fill the trash can. Not Marty Mitchell. Marty sees a masterpiece in the waiting. Marty is an artist who resides in Butler, Mo. But wait, let me take you back a ways. Marty was born in Schell City, Mo. His father was in the military and they lived all over the United States while he was growing up. Marty attended 16 different schools. But he settled in Belton, Mo. where he opened a beauty shop and a beauty school. He had eight girls working for him in his beauty shop. His business was doing well, he owned a beautiful home in Belton and two Corvettes. Then 13 years ago Marty's world changed. He had three massive strokes, one right after the other. The last one left him in a coma for four months. The doctors said he would never come out of the coma and if he did he would be a vegetable. But Marty did come out of the coma, has a brilliant mind and overcame enormous odds against him. Marty did not speak for three years and had to learn to speak all over again. He also lost all use of his right hand. Marty was right handed but he has taught himself to use his left hand. He's had to learn to do everything all over again. But Marty's love of art and his love of God has kept him going. The work he does now, he does with one hand, his left hand. Marty also lost his business, his home, his cars and everything he had. He now lives on Social Security and has very little except for his art. But, Marty is the happiest person I know. When you walk into his room, it's like walking into an art gallery. His paintings line the walls and his sculptures occupy every available surface of the room. And his smile lights up the room as nothing else can.

"He says he's on top of the world. When I first met Marty, I asked him how in the world he could do the marvelous work that he does. His answer was, 'I don't do it, God guides my hand.' You see, through all of Marty's illness and loss, he found the Lord Jesus, and Jesus has given him peace in his heart and life.

"We do hope that you enjoy seeing Marty's work. This is just a small sampling of his paintings and sculptures. He has done thousands of them over the past 13 years. His work is on display in several of the shops on the square in Butler, Mo. He sells some every now and then and he does take special orders. He can take a photograph and paint a portrait from it. His paintings seem to come to life as he captures the personality in the eyes of the subject. (Oh, and the corn flakes boxes, that's what he uses to make his sculptures.)"