Al Bell

Bio

Al Bell’s paintings explore the shifting light and atmospheres of the Scottish landscape. His work invites viewers to slow down and engage with the energy of the changing weather and the subtleties of light that defines the land.

Bell’s deep appreciation of landscape is evident throughout his work. Woodlands, overgrown riversides, moody forests and wild coastal cloudscapes are the starting point, often explored while walking the dog or cycling.  Bell chooses to paint scenes which to many may not seem to be the “headline act”, yet Bell is enthralled by their beauty; capturing the vivid colours, textures and moods.  To Bell, this beauty is “essential to help us navigate our way through life”.

Bell’s paintings lie somewhere between realism and abstraction. Having refined his technique to reveal a landscape’s atmospheres with as few moves as possible, Bell wants to leave something to the viewer’s imagination – capturing the mood and atmosphere of a place in a way that connects people to their own memories. In a sense, Bell paints the idea of a place.

Al Bell is based in Glasgow and has exhibited widely across Scotland, including a recent solo exhibition with Torrence Gallery, Edinburgh. He was also awarded the James Curry Award at the Paisley Art Institute Annual Open.