Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Bell.
Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born on my family’s farm along the Little Tennessee River in western North Carolina in 1989. Because of my family’s connection to farming, I grew up appreciating the landscape. Fortunately, I grew up without the internet, so I played in the river and looked for bits of Cherokee pottery in the tilled soil. I also can’t remember a time that I wasn’t drawing. I went through stacks of copy paper and often received art supplies for birthdays and Christmas. During my school years, I had several excellent art teachers and began taking private oil painting lessons by the time I was in high school. After high school, I apprenticed to the English-born painter Julyan Davis in Asheville, NC. I credit him with giving me my formal training as a working artist. During the recession of 2008-2009, I was able to see the experiences/struggles of several artists/galleries in the Asheville area, an experience more valuable than any college degree. Although I later graduated from Western Carolina University with degrees in education and history, I continued to build upon my early experiences in Asheville. I worked towards building my career as a professional artist. I am primarily a landscape painter, but my subject matter has expanded recently. Although the mountains will always be home, I am inspired by light, color, textures, moods, etc., that can be found anywhere. As I have begun to travel more, I feel that my painting tendencies connect my work regardless of the subject. “As a painter and teacher, I desire to share my experiences with others and encourage them to observe their surroundings in new ways. In today’s fast-paced world, we often fail to appreciate the light falling upon our town fully, the towering clouds on a summer day, or the common interactions between people and their environment. I relish the challenge of responding to these moments in paint.” The Martin House Gallery in Blowing Rock, NC, currently represents me.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been struggles (and there continue to be struggles). For one, I had just started my apprenticeship when the stock market began to slide in the fall of 2008. Over the following months, I saw galleries close, artists close/move studios, etc. This experience eventually led me to get my degrees in education and history. Then, there have been many rejections along the way. They are a right of passage for any artist. However, as a young artist, it can feel crushing. I have learned that you have to lick your wounds and press on. Social media has also presented a challenge. Although a tremendous way to connect with people, it can also be easy to fall into the trap of following trends and comparing yourself to others.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am primarily a painter of the landscape. I want my paintings to convey a sense of place and remain painterly. I am not striving for photorealism but rather, life on canvas. This is one of the most common and appreciated compliments that I receive. People notice how, from a distance, the painting is so actual to life, but upon closer inspection, the “details” are more loosely painted than they expected. I also put a lot of thought into my compositions. I want to paint subjects at an unexpected angle or with a non-traditional cropping. If there is one subject I feel I have a special connection with, it is water. I love painting water in all forms, from mountain streams to still harbors. It would be hard to teach someone exactly how I do it; it is more of an intuition and a “feel.”
What does success mean to you?
It is dangerous for an artist to define success solely with money or accolades. Of course, I want to achieve those things, but for me, the real magic happens at the easel. I get blissfully excited when I express something accurately in paint or design an exciting composition. At that moment, I couldn’t care less whether or not the painting sells. I want to show it to somebody. This feeling keeps me coming back and anxious to work each day. I feel successful when I look back and see the improvements I’ve made to my art.
Pricing:
- 9×16 $600
- 18×24 $1700
- 24×30 $2900
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chrisbellfineart.com
- Instagram: @chrisbellfineart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisbellfineart
