I couldn't think of a better photo of myself to display on my site.  I had just moved into my new home with my daughter, instead of unpacking I went right to my easel.

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Needless to say, I am passionate about my artwork.  I remember when I was a little girl, we had a neighbor who enjoyed painting Disney characters on her outside walls. I would stand beside her and I'd watch her all day.  One day, I asked her if I could try to draw with her, and she handed me a pencil, a piece of cardboard, a paintbrush and a children's watercolor set.  She didn't offer any instructions but it didn't matter, I was so intrigued and excited but mostly determined, that I could do it too.  After I did my first real piece of art.. (Donald Duck on cardboard) I thought to myself, "Wow.. I think I'm an Artist"!

Voila, my first "Masterpiece"!                            <~~~~~       

This picture was done a year later.  Wow.. see what a little practice can do!  This picture was entered in my elementary school art contest.

The tape in the top right hand corner, is where my

"Blue Ribbon" hung. 

Now that you know how I got started, I can't express enough in words how much a part of my life, art has become.  My biggest inspiration and mentor, I would have to say is my Aunt Clara.  She took me to buy my first real art supplies, and my favorite childhood memories were spending time with my Aunt while she did her own beautiful creations.  I am a self taught artisan with no formal art training and I consider my talent a very special gift from God.  I do believe that my passion and God's guidance has been my best teacher.  For many years I did a lot of drawings and paintings for family, friends, establishments, etc.  However, I've always wanted to learn how to do portraits.  I wanted to be able to capture the expressions of people with my pencil.  Through trial and error and many sleepless nights practicing, I've accomplished what I've always wanted to do.. "Portraits".

"There's nothing like seeing a white canvas or paper come to life".

Once I felt comfortable that I could truly capture one's expressions with my pencil, I started doing portraits, and giving them as gifts to my family and friends.  Their reaction of gratitude was an  overwhelming feeling for me.  That feeling has brought me to creating this site.

I would very much like to share my gift with you.  Allow me to create a "Beautiful Pencil Portrait" for you, or as a gift to someone you love. 

Thank you for taking the time to view my web site. 

Bella

 

"The essential conditions of everything you do, must be choice, love and passion".

Nadia Boulanger

Portraits

by

Bella

I've come a long way since Donald Duck.  I had to find a way to display this portrait I did of Elvis on my site.  I was taking care of my granddaughter, who at the time was about 18 months old.  I gave her some markers and paper and she sat on the floor beside me, happily drawing away as I worked on Elvis.  I left the room briefly to wash my hands and she decided to add her signature (and some color) to my finished portrait of Elvis.  We still enjoy doing art side by side but now she knows that she only signs.. her own artwork!