DPW Spotlight Interview: Belinda Bell

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Belinda's painting, "#11 Abstract Flowers" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I took a tole painting class in the late 80s. I wasn't very good at it because I couldn't stay in the lines or use the assigned color for each shape. My pieces were always a bit out of control with wild colors and additional marks in the "traced" design. It was a learning curve for sure... I learned that tole painting was not for me. I have kept a tole painting piece from that period in my life so that when I need a bit of a chuckle and sweet reminder of how far I have come, I bring it out, and love on it.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

I start and stop painting all the time. Life happens to be one of those things that throws curve balls your way when it feels the urge. In between the starts and stops of my artwork I gather experience and ideas that sometimes end up in my paintings. Even when I have a stop, and before I start, I still don't seem to get my dishes done.

#11 Abstract Flowers
(click to view)

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Belinda's interview.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I have played with pastels, oil, acrylic, encaustic material, plaster, colored pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, and water soluble pencils.

Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?

I have stayed with oils and acrylics with charcoal and pencils for drawing.

#18 Abstract Flowers
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Exploration takes place on a daily basis for me with the materials at hand. Sometimes I free myself with finger and hand painting using acrylics.

Who or what inspires you most?

Inspiration comes from my BB Flower Farm, travel, and people. I get so darn excited about painting that I have to actually tell myself to breathe.

Looking North
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination for me are the dirty dishes in the sink on a regular basis... I can't be doing household duties in place of painting... my clients don't want my clean dishes to grace their walls.

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

I paint nearly everyday... I have to... it is something that is in my soul.

Farmer's Lament - Thistle
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Ideas for a painting are non-stop for me. They come to me at light speed which creates a struggle at times on which idea to choose. I will ask myself when I paint "what if?".

How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

I keep my work fresh if I keep my sense of humor running through the brush. I often paint with my non-dominant hand so that my work is organic and quirky. I change subjects to paint so that it keeps me on my toes.

Dear John
(click to view)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

I am learning to paint for the sake of creative expression. I often look for humor, quirkiness, and energy when I am painting so that my audience will have something to talk about while viewing my work. Whether the audience likes the work or not, if they are having a conversation either way regarding the work, then it has evoked emotion .... mission accomplished.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I am happiest about my art when I can intertwine quirky, color, and meaningfulness in a body of work.

Thanks, Belinda!

© 2018 Sophie Marine