John Campbell Mitchell RSA (1862-1922)
Born Cambeltown, Argyll and died in Edinburgh. Painter in oil and occasionally watercolour; landscapes and marine scenes. Started life in a lawyer's office but at the age of 22 abandoned his legal ambition and entered Edinburgh College of Art where he worked in the RSA life class and later in Paris under Benjamin Constant. Two very early works, both scenes from the hunting field, dated 1879 appeared on the market in the 1990s. On his return to Scotland 1890 he settled in Edinburgh where he remained for the rest of his life. In 1891 he shred the Keith Prize. First exhibited at the RSA 1886 and in 1901 he spend some time in Galloway developing a great attraction for and technique in portraying changeable skies. Painted large expanses of moorland and rollign countryside as well as wide expanses of beach and ocean. Had a strong feeling for sunlight and fluctuating shadow. In about 1904 he moved to Corstorphine when there was a change reflecting his new environment, from the breezy to a more pensive sentiment. Elected ARSA, RSA en exhibited RA, RSA, RSW, GI, AAS, L. Represented in Aberdeen, Glasgow and City of Edinburgh collections.