"Painting for me is a dynamic process of self-exploration and a constructive way to give form and meaningful expression to an internal experience. I take on a philosophical and postmodernist approach to the art-making process, investigating problems on a personal and intuitive level. This process is what fuels my mind and informs me, raises new questions, and gives my work resonance. My subjects range from contemporary celebrities in today’s visual culture to metaphorical objects as storytellers. Celebrities bring a sense of decadence and theatricality to my work, while working with objects as metaphors on psychological level often extends meaning deep within my work. The final product becomes a passionate reflection of all that was revealed to me about my subjects during intense moments of personal clarity."
Michael Bell

As a professional artist, Michael Bell has painted narrative portraits, by commission, some of the most powerful and famous people of our time, including the late John Gotti and for numerous cast members from HBO's "The Sopranos" and "CSI:Miami." He exhibits regularly throughout the country and is prominently featured in numerous celebrity events and high-profile charity benefits, always promoting the arts and his philosophy of art education. Bell is currently the 2004-2005 Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year and one of twenty-four selected Maryland State Teachers of the Year. He also teaches the Anne Arundel County Gifted Visual Arts Program and has pioneered the concept of "Visual Journaling", which he has presented to art educators from throughout the country for the National Art Education Association. Bell has a documentary film out on this process vs. product artistic journey.

Michael Bell has a Masters degree (M.ed.) in the Fine Arts from Towson University, working with Dr. Jane Bates, (Thesis Advisor and the Director of Art Education), while studying in studio under Nora Sturges, (Assistant Professor of Painting), Michael Weiss, and Dr. Ray Martens. Michael Bell is a National Art Education Association (NAEA) member served as the Maryland Art Education Association (MAEA) Secondary Division Director from 2002 - 2004. Michael is listed in the 7th and 8th printed editions of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" and was the 2001-2002 recipient of the MAEA Most Outstanding Career Arts Educator Award. In 2002 Michael created the MAEA's Artists Capturing Mentors Exhibit and in June, 2003 Michael Bell's student artists were commissioned by the Discovery Channel to create 35 works of art for the 15th Discovery Communications, Inc. Art Education Grant Program Exhibit. Michael is founder and current President of ArtQuest, Southern High School's nationally sponsored and professionally juried student art exhibition. Michael's community involvement is extensive, creating partnerships between schools and communities through collaborative projects at Discovery Village in Shady Side, MD, and mural donations for the YWCA's Men Against Domestic Violence. Michael currently instructs the Gifted Visual Arts Program for Anne Arundel County and is represented by Michael Sprouse and the Zwaanendael Gallery of Art in Lewes, DE. Michael has been named the 2004 - 2005 Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year and was a Maryland State Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist.

Celebrity Artist Michael Bell of mbellart.com
is Artist to the Stars, featuring Celebrity Portraits
www.mbellart.com
submission date: March 29, 2005