SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Watercolor Society is holding its biggest show of the year at Liberty Station.
In this Zevely Zone, I meet an acclaimed American artist who helped break down social and racial barriers.
Some people fight injustice with violence, others use the power and patience of a paintbrush.
Dean Mitchell is an acclaimed American realist. His four-decade-long career upended stereotypes.
"My first initial reaction to this was it was just fun," said Dean. He was was raised by his grandmother. At the age of five, she gave Dean a paint by numbers set and his future started adding up.
"Yes, this has been my whole life," said Dean.
He was raised in the deep South. His talent was unmistakable.
"But the more successful I became the more complicated it became culturally," said Dean who faced racism.
"Yeah, I mean I grew up in the rural south I mean as a kid I worked in tobacco. I mean that's where most people of color worked," said Dean.
Some galleries were afraid if they showed Dean's art, it would turn away customers, so Dean started presenting his work anonymously.
"I felt that was the best way," said Dean. "How do do I level the playing field and my thing was they don't have to know what color I am. I sent the work in they either like it or they don't."
Dean now lives in Tampa where his latest piece Tampa Bay Draw Bridge is receiving national acclaim.
"I tend to lean toward a cooler pallet and then pop in the warms," said Dean.
"Dean always raises the bar," said artist Stephanie Goldman. She told us 800 artists entered the San Diego Watercolor Society's International Exhibition, but only 100 pieces were accepted. "Dean won Best of Show," said Stephanie. He was awarded $5,000 dollars adding to a resume that's been star studded.
Throughout his career, he has met some very famous people.
"Ha, yeah I have," said Dean. His journey led to a friendship with Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Dr. Maya Angelou.
"There's not a finer human being," said Dean. "She was, I just can't tell you enough about her."
Dean was also shortlisted to paint the official Presidential portrait of Barack Obama.
"There I was in The White House. From the tobacco fields to The White House. I told the president, if I don't get to do your portrait I have already won," said Dean.
Although another artist painted that portrait, Dean Mitchell has won more than 800 hundred awards. "Is there still racial problems, yes, there probably always will be but it doesn't mean that you should use that as an excuse to try to better your life because the more you better yourself the more you are going to better society," said Dean.
In the end, the only color that mattered was a mixture of all of them for Dean to make his mark.
"Sometimes I wake up and I can't believe I can take care of my family, I have two kids and a wife that I take care of," said Dean. "It's been an American dream and it show you that it is possible."
The San Diego Watercolor Society was one of the first reputed International Shows to recognize Dean's talent granting him a first-place award in the early 80's earning $300. He has been a participant and long-standing member ever since. His piece, Tampa Bay Draw Bridge won best in show at this year's International Exhibit and will be on display at the gallery through October 31st.
The 44th Annual International Exhibition is globally recognized for the highest standard of excellence in water-based art. Established in 1965, the San Diego Watercolor Society has grown into one of the largest and most active in the United States with the International Exhibition serving as the annual highlight over four decades.
Proceeds from the I-Show help fund the gallery and aid with SDWS's Community Outreach Program. Last year, the program provided art supplies and instruction to over 560 artistically underserved elementary school students, senior center residents and former foster youth in San Diego County. The Gallery show will be open daily through October 31, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. For more information, click here.