Artist Spotlight: Chris Bell
Paintings courtesy of Chris Bell. "Relic of the Valley" Oil on linen 41.5x51.5
The Appalachian Preservation Project is proud to present Chris Bell as this week’s artist spotlight.
Tell me about your background. Who are you at your core? Why did you become an artist?
I was born on my family’s farm in Western North Carolina in 1989 and began drawing at an early age. No one in my family was involved with the arts but they were extremely supportive and made sure that I had art supplies and constant encouragement. When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always “an artist” and I’ve never really considered another career path. I was blessed with several great art teachers during grade school and after graduating high school, I became an apprentice to the painter Julyan Davis in Asheville, NC. Davis taught me how to work as a professional painter but the uncertainty created by the economic crisis in 2008/2009, led me to pursue college shortly after. Even though I eventually earned a degree in history/education from Western Carolina University and began teaching social studies, I felt that this was a necessary step to allow me financial freedom to continue painting. If there is one thing that I could tell a younger artist/creative, it would be to keep creating. Do whatever it takes, the odd job, stay up late, whatever, just keep creating.
How long have you been working with oils?
"Appalachian Spring" Oil on linen 30x36
My first introduction to oils came with private lessons I began taking as a freshman in high school in 2005.
Why did you begin pursuing art professionally?
I strongly believe that art (as well as music, writing, personal hobbies, etc.) is worth pursuing even if you aren’t making money or getting recognition. I often tell people that I would paint for free. However, I want to leave everything on the table and push myself to develop my craft and share it with as many people as possible. For me, this means to carve out as much time and energy as possible to devote to my art.
What is the most challenging part of creating? The most rewarding part?
For me, the most challenging part is finishing a painting. The most rewarding part is starting a painting. It is a blissful experience to stand in front of a blank canvas and put the first marks on the surface.
However, the farther I get into a painting, I am confronted by how far
I am from what I envisioned the painting to be in my head.
"Song of the Mountains" Oil on linen 44x36
What artists inspire you the most?
I enjoy art from all different time periods and styles, but here is a short list of my favorites:
Isaac Levitan
Ivan Shishkin
John Constable
The Hudson River School
Thom Thompson - The Group of Seven
What life experiences inform your art?
I love to travel, both domestically and internationally. Anywhere I go, I am observant of lighting conditions, textures, sounds, smells, and the habits of people in different cultures. All of this later informs my decision making when I am back in the studio. In a way, painting a scene allows me to relive my experiences.
How do you hope your art impacts people?
I would like to make people more aware and appreciative of the world around them. I want them to take notice of the little moments that I look for when I set out to create a painting.
What has been the most personally impactful moment in your career so far?
In 2016, I had just rebooted my studio practice after struggling to find the time and energy to paint during my first years of teaching social studies. After working on several pieces that winter, I had a small painting accepted into the Oil Painters of America National Salon which was held in Fort Wayne, IN that September. I drove to the show and saw my painting hanging in a professional gallery, with other professional artists. I took this as an affirmation that I belonged and could make a mark in this space. I am still working on this goal today.
Who or what inspires you most?
I am inspired by other artists both past and present. I love to hear their backstories and to get a sense of how their art was impacted by changes in their lives. While I paint, I listen to a lot of podcasts and documentaries. There are a few art documentaries produced by the BBC that I have listened to countless times and I always come away with something new. Two that I highly recommend are:
Simon Schama’s The Power of Art
Waldemar Januszczak’s The Impressionists
See more of Chris on his website!
