Mark Bell

Although he graduated from St Martin’s College of Art and Design as a fashion designer in 2000, Mark Bell was always a painter at heart.

In 2007 he met the girl of his dreams, moved to Devon and together they became very much involved in the world of burlesque.

“My figurative work is provocative but with a very playful twist” he said “The burlesque performers that I paint are lots of fun to capture and as we book some of the best international and UK performers I have had some amazing images to work from”.

A love of fabrics, fluid lines and form is ever present in his richly textured work which is built up in layers, transposing tone and light which then becomes an integral part of the subject matter.

“I like to use vibrant colour whilst playing with the ideas of classical portrait painting - By applying my interpretation of traditional baroque techniques I aim to capture the essence and spirit of the subject.” Mark Bell

The combination of detailed, intricate costumes and his love of painting flesh enables the viewer to re-live the movement, atmosphere and light of the performance and each work has an emotional resonance that is as individual as the artistes themselves.