Another school year has begun at CalArts; but this time, truly without E. Michael Mitchell. I am often at loss of words when some one dear in my world departed. Birth and death is part of life; spirit transforms, from one on to another. Death isn’t an end when spirit lingers in hearts of the living. Physically, I will greatly missed the very warmth time sitting, talking with Michael about life, arts, and the young people at CalArts, whom he put tremendous cares, devotions and affections for a very long stretch of time in the latter part of his life.
One of Michael’s concerns with the young aspiring artists, most importantly- is to find one’s true own voice, then to strike a healthy balance between expressive arts and the sometimes all-too-narrow-minded commercial world, to branching out to new roads, to new and wonderful possibilities.
I am blessed that our paths had intertwined; I first met Michael when I began instructing at CalArts back in 94. When learning of my indie path to making My Little World, Michael was most encouraging and offered to lend his inspirations to help shape the film. I feel most indebted by his very kind and supportive gesture and honored that he is part of My Little World. I regret that I will not be able to share with Michael the film in its completed form. It would have been grand…
Michael is a warmest of human being, a most inspiring artist, most dedicated mentor, a friend. Now and then, I will hear his whispers- “That’s the stuffs!”
Here, concept art by E. Michael Mitchell; and above, Michael discussed his creative thought process for My Little World; (the footage was filmed by Casey Alexander, one of our main artistic contributors to the film).
