Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony
- Jeanne Walker Harvey
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP

Calkins Creek
(Astra Books for Young Readers)
(pub. 2.25.2025)
40 pages
Ages 7 - 10
Author: Lisa Rogers
Illustrator: Stacy Innerst
Character: Joan Mitchell
Overview:
" It’s 1983, and American artist Joan Mitchell is in her studio outside Paris, transforming her emotions and memories into a symphony of colors and shapes. Inspired by her friend’s description of an idyllic hidden valley in France, Mitchell creates 21 massive paintings—her Grande Vallée series —bursting with vibrant, energizing hues.
But she doesn’t paint the valley’s flowers and meadows. She paints a feeling about them—abundance, freedom, liveliness—creating a harmonious blend of drips, splashes, and brushstrokes in rainbow colors. When the paint dries, it's time to share her valley with the world."
Tantalizing taste:
"Joan envisions the valley as it springs to life
in its fresh greens, vibrant pinks, bright blues.
In its textures -
unfurling fern, rambling vines,
prickly leaves, soft grasses.
In its slow decay
as radiant summer
turns to muted fall.
She senses it, smells it, hears, feels it...
In Joan's La Grande Vallée
you cannot glimpse butterflies,
hear frog's splish and squeak,
or sense warm sunbeams on your skin.
But as you explore
her great, grand valley,
you might imagine you can."
And something more: Lisa Rogers, shared in the Author's Note in Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony: "I was drawn to Joan's Grande Vallée paintings by their vivid colors and limitless energy, and when I learned of her inspiration, I wanted to know more. These massive abstract paintings somehow feel personal. Each stroke was created with intent, yet the paintings allow space for viewers to imagine and explore on their own."
Thanks so much for featuring JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY on your blog, Jeanne! I admire your artist biographies so I'm especially honored you chose to share this book. 2025 is the centennial of Mitchell's birth and her paintings are being featured all over the US and in other countries. See https://www.joanmitchellfoundation.org/mitchell100 for a video of her and info about events throughout this year!