I am a self taught oil painter and began painting full time when we moved to Boca Grande, FL in 2018. I enjoy painting portraits, figurative work, landscapes and seascapes. Much of my work reflects moments of my life and my experiences. My style of work is known as representative art which is an honest depiction of ordinary life and nature.
The truth is that I love to paint. In fact, I love the entire process; the research; the sketching; the color studies; the independent detail work and of course, the final art. My inspiration can come from anywhere at any time. It could be an early morning light that hits a building a certain way, a snowstorm along a deserted city street or even a fishing trip in the aquamarine water of the Florida Keys.
In the end, my hope is that my work and my personal perspective tells a story that will connect with people and will invite others to take a closer and different look at our world.
3. Patrick Bell. Wood turning has become a labor of love for me. After 30 years as a general surgeon, I needed to continue my passion for creativity and working with my hands. During the last 10 years of my surgery career, my father had begun wood turning. He insisted that I lean the craft. I was skeptical, but finally gave in. He made me promise that, when he died, I would take his lathe home and give it a trial. That day finally came, and it was the beginning of a new chapter in my life. However, I needed help, so I attended the Mark Adams School of Woodworking in Indiana. I studied with experts such as Glen Lucas from Ireland and Alan Lacer from the US. I have owned a home on Boca Grande since 1994. Storms and hurricanes have destroyed many exotic and beautiful trees on the island. I have obtained, with the help of local tree trimmers, much of this wood that I use to give life back to these beautiful fallen trees. I feel honored to be a member of the Boca Grande Art Center. I am glad that I can share my craft with the community.