SOUTH AFRICAN HOLIDAY MAR/APR 2008
My son, daughter in law and our first two grandsons arrived in South Africa from the UK.
Many wonderful weeks were enjoyed being together, baby sitting and catching up.

Kai, Jay and Jackie deal with a very determined goat!

Dakota Bell's dedication celebration (he's the small one in Jeanne's arms!)

Janique with Kim Bell, Don Bell's daughter at Kody's dedication.

Kai gives Jamie the run around on the beach at Sardinia Bay.

Little Kody Bell chilling out as usual.

ABOUT DON BELL & FAMILY:

Don Bell Artist in his studio with one of his Elephant studies.

Painting Background:
Don Bell has been painting fine art commercially for sixteen years. He is largely self-taught although comes from an art family background and was mentored by various well known artists and lecturers during his school days.
His works are sold to buyers all around the world including the USA, UK, France, South Africa and Canada.

His core focus is wildlife, however, he produces contemporary, pencil and commercial illustrations.
He has exhibited at various South African exhibitions and has a strong repeat client base who regularly purchase and refer his work to others.
Don is a Professional Senior Architectural Technologist based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and also has extensive expertise in marketing, advertising and graphic design.

These are a sample of photos Don Bell has taken on his safaris into Southern African game reserves.

Versatility:

Due to Don's varied commercial and corporate involvement over more than thirty years, he is capable of producing a vast range of art works including fine art in oils, water colours, pencil & charcoal. He produces architectural illustrations in felt tipped pens and has illustrated countless works for advertising agencies, motor manufacturers, tourism industry, wildlife organisations, retail businesses, interior designers and government departments.
Don can produce works either on open-brief commission, off a specific brief, or from client photos or sketches.

History:

Don was born in 1948 in Queenstown, an inland frontier town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and at the age of six years moved to the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the same province, where he has lived ever since.

His parents recognized his artistic and creative gifts and talents early in his life and at the age of eight years enrolled him in part time arts and craft courses as well as private tuition with respected artists such as van Coillie and Paul Lavender.

Don earned pocket money during school by drawing pop stars such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Cliff Richards for fellow class mates. He left in standard eight (10th grade) to do his final two years at art school and matriculated at the Port Elizabeth College of Education’s Art School in 1968.

During his school and college years Don participated actively in hockey, cricket, tennis, rugby, swimming, surfing and soccer.

Don was offered a position in a firm of architects who saw his building illustrations on a college final year exhibition and he joined the firm as in-house building and project illustrator.

Don's Family:

Don met Jackie, his wife when she was eleven years of age and they were married in 1972.
They have two children, Jamie and Kim who are now adults.
Jamie is an advertising agency creative director and is married to Jeanne. They have a son Kai and live in Bournemouth UK.

Jamie, Jeanne and young son, Kai Bell.

Kim Bell is a photographer currently based in Jeffery's Bay, the world famous surfing town of South Africa.

Kim Bell of Kimage Photography.

In 1977 Don joined a building contracting developer as building designer, technical draftsman, illustrator and project manager.

In 1978 he and Jackie opened Don Bell Design (Pty) Ltd. a company specializing in architectural design, graphic art, commercial art and advertising design.

It was during their first wildlife safari into Botswana’s Okavango Swamps, Savuti Marshlands and Chobe River that stimulated Don start painting wildlife.

Don's wildlife works have appeared in corporate annual reports, calendars and marketing material.

Since 1991 Don has traveled to many Southern African wildlife areas, photographing and producing reference material to paint from, and he & Jackie regularly go to National Parks for breakaways from the business environment.

Art Philosophies

Approach to colour, form, composition, subject matter:
As a designer and artist, I am inspired by all types of subject matter and am constantly experimenting with colours, form and subject matter. Wildlife however, is my first love which I regularly return to.

My mission:
My mission is to produce excellence which will leave a legacy that inspires, brings joy and is a delight to the art owner and viewer.

Art Philosophy:
My philosophy is to enjoy every facet of God’s creation through creative expression and to revel in the creative gift He gave me. I receive tremendous satisfaction from mentoring others and donating my time and works to worthy courses which benefit humanity and the environment.

The beachfront area of Port Elizabeth South Africa

Social Responsibility Contributions:

Don contributes paintings and artwork to various worthy community and environmental programmes to assist with fund raising and promotions.

To date these donations include:

• Cape Leopard Trust Research Program – Cape Mountain Leopard painting, custom designed and manufactured Yellowwood frame.
• CANSA Eastern Cape – Painting of Nelson Mandela and custom designed frame for fund raising towards cancer awareness.
• Wilderness Foundation – Painting of Cheetah for fund raising and awareness.
• Toyota – Painting of the Golden Gate National Park Mountain Buttress for fund raising auction.
• Fidelity Bank – Paintings of Elephant and Buck for executive golf day prizes and corporate office.
• St.John’s Church – Painting of the crucifiction and drawing of the church building for fund raising of mission works.
• HIV AIDS - HeARTreach Programme – Don initiated an arts & crafts theraphy programme for HIV AIDS orphans.

Hobbies & Interests:

A photo of the sunset taken from my home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

• Drawing, illustrating, fine art wildlife & contemporary painting
• Photography
• Wood work
• Gardening
• Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Precepts Bible Study

Port Elizabeth coastline taken by me from a helicopter.

My Friends:
I would like you to meet my friends, partners and special people who have made a difference to my life.
Jamie & Wendy Cowie-Shaw and Dale & Val Gravett have been longstanding friends since art college days - hundreds of years ago!
Although we live far apart, they are constantly in my heart and thoughts and I look forward to seeing them again soon I hope.
Dale is a professional photographer, Val is a wonderful faith filled person who has a heart for caring for others and Dale. Jamie, formerly a creative director of an advertising agency has now "found" himself in his new carpentry business. Wendy, his wife is a cook who no one can equal.
They both live in the UK and come to South Africa when the weather has worn them down!
Watch this space for more friends.

My Other Family.

Our dogs and cats bring regular pleasure and laughs to us.
Old Jake, barely able to walk on his old cranky legs but sums up untold energy when someone or other dogs pass our home, bounding and barking - I cannot understand why because he's totally deaf now. He turns 14 years this year (2007).
Then there's Lucy Liu, the Jack Russel whose convinced she's a human being and the head of the house.
Princess, the Tabby Cat lives like a recluse upstairs so we call her the hunchcat of NotreDame.
What can we say about Mowgli - noisy, vocal, always hungry and knows she's the head of the house!
Lady Anna Bell - A stray from the Northern areas of the city who must be the most determined hunter we've come accross.
Gremmy cat, something of a mystery, sleeps for 8 hours, eats then sleeps for 8 hours. She does not exsert herself in the slightest and will have to be tethered to the ground soon as she's going to float off into the blue yonder like a hot air balloon!

Our other family - keeping us sane and constantly entertained

CHRISTMAS WITH OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DEC2007

Don and his family celebrate Christmas 2007 at his home.