We recently connected with Chris Bell and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

My best investment I’ve made in my art practice is the choice to use the best possible materials that I can afford. Art materials are expensive and I totally understand the temptation to use cheaper materials when possible. However, I decided a little over a decade ago that I needed to take my work seriously if I wanted others to take me seriously. Making art is hard enough without having to fight against your materials too. There have been times where I’ve had to take a deep breath and click “complete purchase,” even when I didn’t have an avenue to sell the work. But I think it’s important to get to a point where you are confident that the supplies are an investment and you need to have faith that if these next paintings don’t sell, they will at least lead to ones that will.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a landscape painter living in the mountains of western North Carolina. Born on a farm, I felt a connection with the land from an early age, as well as a desire to create. I received my formal art instruction as an apprentice to Julyan Davis in Asheville, NC and have since spent countless hours at the easel honing my craft.

I work primarily in oil paint on Belgian linen. My goal is to create a painting that will physically stand the test of time as well as communicate my unique experiences to the viewer. As a landscape painter, I want to share my experiences with others and bring an awareness to certain places, lighting effects, or memories. In our day, humans need to reconnect with the land and I hope that I am able to do this through my art.

Original art gives life to homes and public spaces and it is one of the greatest feelings to know that my work will be seen and enjoyed by people for years to come.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think a lot of people have a misconception about “talent.” Everyone has called me talented my whole life and I absolutely believe that there are natural predispositions that people are born with. However, I think that what people call “talent” is a spark that leads to (and requires) hours of practice in a chosen field before the fruits are seen. Along the way, the artist is subject to pitfalls, wrong turns, discouragement, etc. Success for the talented (as well as anybody) is a story of persistence. As I write this, the 2024 Paris Olympics are going on and you could use Olympic athletes as an analogy. Everything they do looks easy and magical on the TV screen, but behind that moment of brilliance are hours of pain and frustration that no one else sees.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Artist and creatives need 1) space to work, 2) opportunities to show their work and connect with the community. One of the biggest challenges is finding a suitable space to create. This is exacerbated if you have a family or are a young person with little means of your own. Thankfully, I was able to use a spare bedroom for years but I love it when a community has an area with artist studios. As I have traveled, I’ve noticed that areas with galleries, studios, restaurants, etc. are some of the most vibrant places to be. In addition, artists and creatives need spaces to show their art to the community. This can come in the form of the aforementioned studios/galleries or in public displays or commissioned public art. I think this can also have a positive impact on young people as they get to see adults working in the arts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chrisbellfineart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisbellfineart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisbellfineart