BIC Creators | Tommy Mitchell

In this year’s final episode of the BIC Creators series, we meet Tommy Mitchell, a visual artist from Baltimore, Maryland.
Tommy’s work centers around portraying people, capturing their stories through expressions, clothing, and the essence of a specific time frame. For him, art is a pursuit of perfection-a continuous quest to push boundaries and explore what more he can achieve with his craft.
His connection to BIC pens is driven by an unconventional inspiration: tattoo artists. Observing the precision and detail they bring to their masterpieces on skin, Tommy challenged himself to achieve the same level of excellence on paper.
Tommy’s artistic process combines hatching, scribbling, and layering techniques to create a smooth, statuesque look in his work. His meticulous approach ensures every line and layer blends seamlessly, giving his pieces a distinct, polished finish. For him, it’s not just about technique-it’s about dedicating time to mastering his craft and delivering artwork that resonates.
What sets Tommy’s story apart is his nontraditional path. He relied on hard work, determination, and self-teaching without formal art school or early gallery representation. "I always recommend, hey, it’s going to be hard, but it’s going to be worth it," Tommy shares. For aspiring artists, he emphasizes the importance of seizing every opportunity to learn: “I joke around, I got my MFA from KZbin, and I'm thankful that we're in a generation or in an era where information is accessible, however that may come.”
Tommy’s journey is a testament to resilience and passion, showing that talent, combined with dedication and resourcefulness, can open doors in unconventional ways.
This episode celebrates not just Tommy’s artistry but also his belief in the accessibility of creativity-values that align deeply with BIC’s mission to democratize expression. Through his work, Tommy reminds us that art is about connecting with people, telling stories, and finding joy along the way!