Sculptor, painter and teacher, born in Wealdstone, Middlesex. When a baby his family moved to Mumbles near Swansea, where he grew up. In 1930 he attended evening classes at Swansea School of Art, then moved to the St Ives area of Cornwall in 1938. A series of jobs followed over the years, such as running a market garden and tin mining, and while doing them Mitchell pursued his painting seriously. Started to sculpt in wood when became assistant to Barbara Hepworth, 1949–59. He began Porthia Textile Prints, 1957–60, his first sculptures in bronze being done in 1959. Taught part-time at Redruth Art School and Penzance Grammar School, 1960–7, then was able to become full-time sculptor, living and working in Newlyn. Mitchell’s sculpture is elegant and beautifully finished, abstract with figurative references.