interview with DERRICK BELL

1. Tell me about your background. Where were you born and raised and how did you end up in New York City? Originally from Cincinnati, OH. Moved to Atlanta, GA in 1994 to attend Morehouse College. Received my BA in Studio Art, with a concentration in Furniture Design. I moved to NYC in 2004. You know how everything has a time and season? Well, my time was up. I appreciate Atlanta for the college experience and growing up but I felt that I wasn't growing creatively.

2. What excites you most about a blank canvas? The fact that you don't know where it's going to take you. Creating something from your thought process, to sketch, to canvas, to the finish product is a beautiful journey, personally. Now, I'm going to be honest, every canvas has not been an easy journey due to various circumstances....lol. If anyone knows anything about me, I'm an emotional person whom sometimes I feel like it's a curse (good and bad). I've always treated all of my work with emotions involved. One reason, I believe if I can't feel the soul in my own work, then I can't expect anyone else to feel it either. I truly believe that the human soul is our eyes to what make us laugh, cry, and feel pain.

3. Who are some of your favorite painters/artists? I absolutely love Kara Walker. She's known for her controversial silhouettes. Elizabeth Catlett is another great artist. Her background is in printmaking and sculptures. And Frank Lloyd Wright, known for his unique architectural houses and buildings. They're others I truly respect and love as well, such as Charlene Holloway, Keith Haring, Aaron Douglas, and the list goes on. One thing that I think these artists have in common is their appreciation of simplicity.

4. How long have you been developing your craft as an artist? Being creative, I believe I've always had in me and just embraced it. I can remember drawing and painting in grade school. I wasn't taught how to craft this from the very beginning either. Sort of learned on my own. Over the years growing up, my mother exposed me to various cultures, which definitely help me in becoming a better-rounded artist. What college made me is stronger in the technical aspect of using various tools, paints, and techniques. And learning the history of phenomenal artist throughout time.

5. How challenging is it being a Black artist in New York? Well, I'm speaking for myself. I have not had a challenge yet being a black artist in New York. I've truly been blessed to have met great people and continuing to meet wonderful people. Someone told me that it's really hard to get a show in New York. And that followed me before I moved to New York. But let me tell you how God work. I moved here in July 2004, met two show producers (Nathan "Seven" Scott and Raymonde C. Green) in August 2005, they liked what they saw and I became part of a group art show in October 2005. So a little over a year, my work was introduced to New York. How about that........

6. Do you have any projects in the works? I'm working on a project starting in October for about 5 months. The project is called "The Dance: The fight against AIDS". It's a five part series done all on canvas. I can't really discuss too much details but I'm so excited about this project and eager to see the finish product. Also in October, I have a show on the 7th at "Soundz Nightclub". Mostly all new work. So, I'm pretty much tied up till the end of the year and beginning of next year.

7. Does your sexuality influence your art in any way? Some pieces are inspired by my sexuality. Depends on what I was going through at the time. Actually there is one piece in the show for October that's based on a previous relationship. But you have to stop by the show on the 7th to check it out. Usually when I'm going through my creative thought process, so many influences are combined. I remember I did a painting for my ex to give to him as a gift. It started out to be about him but ended up being about my best friend's mother who died from cancer. At that time, I was involved in a relationship and she died around the time that I was working on the painting. My energy totally shifted to her. It's weird but it's amazing how your emotions can take over when least expected.