ABOUT ARTIST MICHAEL BELL

Michael Bell is a renowned American artist, most famous for his thematic gangster series paintings and an infamous portrait painting clientele, which includes the late John Gotti and numerous actors from the "Sopranos", "Goodfellas", "A Bronx Tale" and more.

Michael Bell wins 1st Prize in Art Show at Age 5  Michael Bell wins Art Show in 1977  Grammy Award Winner Tony Bennett dedicates Because of You to Michael Bell for his Wedding  Michael Bell with his brother, Will, circa 1992  Michael Bell marries in 1996 and receives a special wedding gift from singer Tony Bennett  Michael Bell in Studio, 2007  Michael Bell in Studio, 2008 

Born April 10th, on his Mother's birthday, Bell was naturally gifted in art and experienced success at an early age, winning 1st Place in his first juried art exhibition at age 5. As an emerging artist he spent a lot of his time in and around New York City, studying art with his maternal grandmother, a self-taught artist from Lyndhurst, NJ. It was during this time period when Bell began exploring life's very personal & psychological issues visually through his paintings.

The Sopranos John Fiore and James Gandolfini support artist Michael Bell  Sopranos actors support artist Michael Bell  Michael Bell with Clem Caserta of A Bronx Tale and Georgia Durante in Chicago at the Gangsters Convention  Michael Bell with John Fiore and Joe Gannascoli doing autographed prints at Soup as Art in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn  Michael Bell unveils CSI:Miami Sofia Milos portrait for her at the Four Seasons, Beverly Hills  Sopranos star Tony Sirico endorses a Michael Bell portrait created for him  Autographed photo of the late John Gotti

In addition to Bell's incredible accomplishments to the art world, Bell just finished writing his first screenplay based on the real-life events surrounding his famous "TICKET TO RIDE™" painting series, first launched at a star-studded launch party at New York City celebrity hotspot, "The Plumm". TICKET TO RIDE™ is currently being developed into a full-length feature film. Backed by an impressive list of solid credentials and celebrity portrait painting clientele, Michael Bell is steadily rising to become just as famous as many of the celebrities he has painted.

You can also find Bell's artwork on "Sopranos" star Joseph R. Gannascoli's new CUGINE Cigar Line. Bell's portrait of the Soprano's star graces the box cover and cigar ring. The idea was born at one of Bell's Red Carpet Portrait unveilings with "The Sopranos" Frank Vincent, Dominic Chinese and Joe Gannascoli at the Stars & Cigars Gala at the Vanderbilt on Staten Island, NY in 2008.

Michael Bell creates artwork for Cugine Cigar Line  Michael Bell unveils a Red Carpet portrait for the Sopranos Joe Gannascoli, Frank Vincent, Dominic Chianese, donated to Bright Steps Forward  Michael Bell with Sopranos pals Vito, Joe Gannascoli and Uncle Junior, Dominic Chianese in New York  Michael Bell TICKET TO RIDE Launch Party at the Plumm, NYC Postcard  Michael Bell at his Star Studded Launch Party thrown for him by Noel Ashman at The Plumm, New York City, 2008  Michael Bell with an entourage and Sopranos pal Joe Gannascoli at the Plumm, New York, NY, 2008  Michael Bell in Studio with Cameraman filming TICKET TO RIDE Paintings for the Launch Party at the Plumm, NYC

Bell has played a vital role in pioneering the Visual Journaling movement, giving numerous workshops and motivational presentations throughout the country for the National Art Education Association. He has donated his time, raised awareness and thousands of dollars through his paintings for numerous charities at auctions held in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. On October 1, 2005, Bell received the Los Angeles Good Shepherd Community Service Award at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles for his domestic violence activism. Bell has also been a featured artist at the world's annual "For the Love of Chocolate" benefit in Chicago.

Michael Bell giving a national NAEA Conference presentation in Boston on Visual Journaling  Michael Bell giving a national NAEA Conference presentation in Boston on Visual Journaling  Michael Bell with Monet Monico and Georgia Durante receiving the Los Angeles Good Shepherd Domestic Violence Shelter Community Service Award  Michael Bell speaking to the crowd in Los Angeles as he accepts his national award.  Michael Bell with his 7 Deadly Sins in Chocolate paintings in Chicago, IL, 2007  Michael Bell at his For the Love of Chocolate Show in Chicago, IL, 2007  Michael Bell with Dominic Capone III in Chi-town after his Chocolate Show

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

"Painting, for me, is a dynamic process of self-exploration and a constructive way for me to give form and meaningful expression to an experience. My subject matter ranges from creating cinematic worlds where exotic stories are born to capturing the true "grit of the streets" through dark and dangerous narratives. I investigate these stories on a personal and intuitive level which gives my work resonance.

I'm also concerned with the interconnections between my works therefore I present my thematic series paintings in a specific viewing order. The culminating show becomes a direct reflection of all that was revealed to me throughout the process of creation.

All I am is what I create. It's my blessing to share with the world." - Michael Bell