Today we’d like to introduce you to Faye Bell.
Faye, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve been drawn to visual arts my entire life. From 2005 to 2009 I earned an Interior Design degree from Pratt Institute with the intention of receiving a “practical” art degree. Not feeling especially inspired after school, I spent five years on a creative hiatus while I worked as a dental technician, sculpting teeth digitally using CAD/CAM technology. Ultimately, I found that painting and drawing are what fulfill me the most creatively and have been led back to these art forms.
When I was able to begin to painting again a few years ago it was because I had finally unlearned the rigidity I had picked up in art school that was preventing me from authentically moving through the creative process. While my technical abilities as an artist are a huge component of my visual style and are the result of years of hard work, the intrinsic quality of my work has been developed through a very intuitive and messy process. I have found that my ability to embrace the vulnerability of the creative process has developed in tandem with my ability to embrace the unpredictability of life. These are skills that I could never have learned in school, only through experience.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My process begins with curiosity. An initial spark of inspiration provided by an element of nature is usually the catalyst. In my paintings and drawings I use refined, repetitive processes that I distill from these natural structures in an effort to capture the tension of organized chaos found in the natural environment. Similar natural patterns tend to be found in the natural world in different contexts and at different scales. This is why viewers may find that my work reminds them of any number of different natural phenomena.
Additionally, the personal significance of the work is revealed to me over time through the meditative nature of the process. For example, in the methodical application of the echoing, colliding curves of my agate series I feel myself illustrating my experience with how time and space for reflection (or the lack thereof) have determined my ability to find tranquility and move forward after periods of discord.
Recently I’ve translated my work into a collection of large format interior wallpapers to be released at the end of 2018. I’m excited to begin seeing my immersive art concepts applied to interior spaces.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Success to me means creating pieces inspired by my own authentic, intuitive curiosity that I can then look back on and continue to notice things about it. When my work teaches me something about myself I know I’m on the right track.
Aside from being personally fulfilling as an artist, I think creating this way can inspire real connection with others who are viewing the work. Whether they are able to put words to it or not I think an audience can tell when you’re being true to yourself or trying to make something that you think they’ll like. If you cultivate an audience that wants you to be you than you’re going to be able to make your best stuff.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Much of my work is visible at www.FayeBell.com. Appointments for studio visits are an option.
I am also a big fan of Instagram and share a good bit of my work / current exhibition information on my account @fayekaubell
Additionally, a catalog for my forthcoming wallpaper collection can be requested at: www.FayeBell.com/wallpaper/
Contact Info:
- Address: Reynoldstown, Atlanta, GA
- Website: www.fayebell.com
- Phone: 6106984757
- Email: info@fayebell.com
- Instagram: fayekaubell
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