Mitchell, Donna. Donna Mitchell. April 12 - May 8, 1985.

Blue Sky Gallery, 1985. Exhibition catalog. Slim catalog in wraps with six outdoor color photos by Mitchell and one black-and-white photo by E.J. Belloq with comments by Mitchell. Near fine.  Summary:

Donna Mitchell is a slim exhibition catalog published by Blue Sky Gallery (also known as the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts) in Portland, Oregon. The publication stands as a permanent companion record for a solo exhibition of Mitchell's distinct work that ran at the artist-run alternative space.

Overview of the Catalog

• The Format: Designed as a compact softcover booklet in wraps, the catalog serves as an intimate look into Mitchell's evolving aesthetic during a formative era for independent West Coast photography.

• Visual Content: The publication showcases a tight selection of outdoor color photographs captured by Mitchell, emphasizing her perspective on landscapes, lighting, and environmental framing.

• Historical Dialogue: Uniquely, the publication features a historical point of dialogue by including a black-and-white photograph by the legendary early 20th-century New Orleans photographer E.J. Bellocq. This archival inclusion is paired directly with written commentary and reflections by Mitchell herself.

Core Visual and Artistic Themes

The exhibition and catalog capture a transitional moment in 1980s photography, where traditional landscape practices began blending with deeply personal, historical reflection.

• Outdoor Color Exploration: Mitchell’s featured color plates focus heavily on the interactions of light, structure, and open space, moving away from rigid, documentary landscape conventions toward a more atmospheric and subjective experience.

• The Conversation with Bellocq: By juxtaposing her contemporary outdoor color work with Bellocq’s historic, institutional black-and-white portraiture, Mitchell invites viewers to examine the elastic nature of the photographic medium. Her accompanying text analyzes themes of memory, gaze, and the historical threads that tie modern image-makers to the masters of the past.