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Welcome to Juliet Bell’s “About Me” page!
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"Birthday Rememberances" - Watercolor 2006 - 18" x 27'
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"Peony" - Oil on stretched linen 2007 - 40" x 40"
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I was born in Cornwall, England, adopted as an infant, and brought to the U.S. where I was raised in a family of book lovers and museum goers. I have many wonderful childhood memories of trips to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. In deference to my brother, we always began in the Egyptian mummy room. But the images that stayed with me with were the lush greens of Renoir and the long dark corridor of period rooms—seeds that insisted on sprouting despite the fact that efforts to produce my own art were an anomaly amongst my intellectual siblings.
My earliest career was in the theater designing and building properties across the U.S. and eventually in London. Years later, this passion for three-dimensional expression grew into creating miniature shadow-box scenes, made from color-stained woods. These sold at juried galleries, and are now residing in unknown homes across the country. I still create these from time to time although my focus now is in painting.
In 1998, I founded BellArt, a wooden jigsaw puzzle company for which I create artwork, design intricate figure pieces, and cut puzzles. These puzzles are sold at fine craft stores, juried galleries, and occasionally on eBay.
I am essentially a self-taught artist, though I have taken many art classes. I have an inventive and experimental nature that leads me to try my hand at many things. I paint in watercolor, acrylics, oil, and pen and ink. I’ve designed and created with wood, fabric, clay, and metals; created dollhouse miniatures, walking sticks, tapestry bags, and children’s playhouses, to mention but a few. I have worked as a designer, illustrator, puzzle maker, and painter. I have produced commissioned artwork for corporations and many individuals.
It was not until many years after pursuing a career in art that I found both my birth parents. My adoptive mother had died, and I had a child of my own. I wanted to know a little of my birth inheritance. I discovered they were both artists. Not only had they worked in the theater, but both were painters. My mother attended the Slade School of Fine Art, and specialized in watercolor painting. My father, a distinguished and award-winning artist, still paints today, in Scotland. I found my birth mother first, still living in Cornwall, in a cottage overlooking the sea. We corresponded for years until her death. I found my father in 1999, through a search on the Internet. Having grown up without a father, this was an unimaginable treat. We first met at an art show of his in Newfoundland, and felt as if we had known each other for years. We visit each other when we can and maintain a lively e-mail correspondence. He has given me rights to his paintings for puzzle making.
My life’s journey has been varied and exciting. I’m a grandmother now. I live in a little house in the woods, and I paint. I live with eight cats (excessive but not compulsive—the result of volunteering at a local shelter), and my beloved toy poodle. My latest passion is miniature painting, and I have begun a series of art cards (ACEOs) for a whole new series of mini puzzles. Many of the ACEO originals are put up for auction on eBay. Inspiration for all my creations comes from the woodlands, the ponds, and the creatures around me.
If you wonder why I sell on eBay, it is for a host of reasons. It is simple to do. I’m a bit of a recluse and dislike the self-marketing part of making a living from one’s art. Contacting galleries, preparing for and attending shows, and keeping the network going, all take tons of time away from painting. Selling on eBay not only allows the public to buy at retail prices without gallery markup, but it often generates a better profit for the artist (galleries traditionally receive 50% of sales). eBay also lets me reach the entire world—something that would take a lifetime to do in any other way.
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Praise: Very intricate cutting. A lot of fun and a challenge as well. Very quick ship! |
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User:3erp5 ( 104 ) Date:Jan-04-09 14:10:51 PST |
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Praise: Quick delivery, just as promised, no problems! |
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| User:3erp5( 104) Date:Jan-04-09 14:10:51 PST |
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Praise: Quick delivery, just as promised, no problems! |
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Praise: Cute puzzle! Great transaction, thanks! |
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Praise: Great puzzle, fast transaction, thanks! Highly recommend! |
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Praise: Love these adorable little puzzles. |
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Praise: Love these adorable little puzzles. |
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Praise: Thank you. Perfect as always. |
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Praise: Thank you. Perfect as always. |
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