Derrick Bell, educator, and abstract figurative painter, migrated from Ohio to the Bay Area to begin his teaching career. Building upon his life experiences in the Bay Area, Bell contemplates his source of inspiration: “Who influences me the most are my students. Hearing their stories and seeing how they navigate through the world.”⁠

⁠Bell summarizes his creative practice as “symbolic expressionism”. “I believe that art heals and creates conversations, so I use a lot of symbolism in my art to deliver a message and express emotions.” Before initiating a piece, Bell puts in time researching, interviewing, and conceptualizing compositions in his head. He begins with a preliminary sketch once he is ready to paint, and the magic unfolds from there. ⁠

⁠For the month of July, Bell is live painting in parks around the Bay Area to raise awareness and funds for youth-focused nonprofits! This Saturday, July 16th, from 2-4 pm, Bell will be at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco to support the amazing efforts of City of Dreams.

⁠Bell is proud to announce he has a painting in a group show titled “Ripples” at UC Hasting College of Law that will be up until January 2023. He is also one of the honorees to receive the Artistic Achievement Award for the 2023 Art of the African Diaspora Show at the Richmond Art Center. That show will take place from January-March 2023.⁠

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Feature Published: July 15, 2022
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