About the Artist
Portia Bell received her Bachelor of Fine Arts – Painting/Studio Arts degree from the University of Houston. She has also studied at the Glassell School of Art. She has won numerous competitions and awards. She served on the Board of Watercolor Art Society – Houston (WASH), as Educational Director and Vice President. Most recently she has served on the Board of the Art League of Fort Bend, as second vice president – Programs. She has been affiliated with Simply Art Gallery, Galveston, Texas and Morton Street Gallery, Richmond, Texas. She is currently showing in the Fort Bend Art Center, Rosenberg, Texas.
Prayer Boxes
Ancient Prayers
Artist Statement
My goal is to catch the viewer’s attention from a distance, entice them to come closer for a better look and then capture their interest as they explore the intense detail and rich tapestry of color and texture.
The beauty of nature, the exciting abstract shapes, colors and patterns are my source for inspirational ceramic works. Glazes, slips and underglazes form the basis for my work. Working in clay, allows me to embrace the element of surprise in my studio practices. Building on what I know and pushing a form or surface, allows me to work out of my comfort zone. Personal challenges and growth in recent years have including a rediscovery of painting onto the ceramic surface. The resulting color, configurations, etc. activate my imagination and suggest a subject. Using fragments of pre-formed images, texture is added with found objects. I love the freedom of this method and the excitement of the response to what is happening.
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