Slowly and steadily over the last five years, the artwork of Lori Mitchell has found its way to the walls of Warwick’s bookstore in The Village.
In 2021, in honor of Warwick’s 125th anniversary, Mitchell created a triptych timeline depicting its history in La Jolla, which now hangs inside the bookstore. For the exterior of the store, Mitchell was commissioned to design an awning named “For the Love of Reading” for the front of Warwick’s with a letter “W” as the focal point. Mitchell is also responsible for the mural on a wall facing the alley at the back of the store with images of notable authors Warwick’s has hosted in years past.
Her latest work is a new mural that went up June 20, and is located near the store’s back entrance at 7812 Girard Ave. The new mural and the featured authors art piece are on the opposite side of the store’s entrance. The featured authors piece faces out onto the alley, whereas the mural is in a covered area but still outside of the store.
“Lori’s artwork captures the vibrancy and warmth of Warwick’s, and it includes the viewer as part of our story,” Warwick’s owner Nancy Warwick said of Mitchell’s mural. “The Warwick’s story is one of community, and this couldn’t be more beautifully presented in Lori’s artwork.”
The mural depicts a busy day in front of the bookstore, with figures inspired by real people — down to the colorful pants one of them wears and the flowers another holds — that she observed at La Jolla’s Open Aire Farmer’s Market.
A few furry friends made the cut, too.
“There’s always dogs there and I love dogs,” Mitchell said. “They’re always so nice and so friendly. All the people that work there are just lovely, lovely people and it seems like all the customers are too.”
Lori Mitchell poses with one of her previous Warwick’s bookstore projects: a display of famous authors who have stopped by 7812 Girard Ave. (Sharon Belknap)
The history of Warwick’s bookstore is detailed in a trio of pieces towards the back of the store. (Provided by Warwick’s)
Another project by Lori Mitchell is an awning entitled “For the Love of Reading.” (Provided by Lori Mitchell)
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Lori Mitchell poses with one of her previous Warwick’s bookstore projects: a display of famous authors who have stopped by 7812 Girard Ave. (Sharon Belknap)
Mitchell first got on Warwick’s radar when, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she posted coloring book pages on Instagram that parents could use to keep their kids busy and creative. From there, a partnership was formed.
Mitchell is also the author and illustrator of “Different Just Like Me,” a children’s book about finding beauty in similarities and differences between people from different walks of life. The 32-page book landed her an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show. Her art has been featured at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library where she also teaches online watercolor classes.
Additional works by Mitchell are on display at Parfait Paris at 7874 Girard Ave. through mid-August, with 100% of profits from sales of her art going toward local nonprofit organization Feeding San Diego.
More of Mitchell’s artwork can be found at lorimitchellart.com.