John Bell and I have danced around knowing each other for many years, admiring our respective creative efforts from afar, engaging in casual conversations at gallery functions and concert events, sharing a sense of..."I should really get to know that guy," but never really committing beyond the exchange of digits. Within the last couple of years however, I have had the opportunity to get to know John on a much greater level and am honored to call John one of my best friends...or as I like to say "a brother from another mother". We both share a deep love for all things "music", have waxed on poetic on many occasions about our creative process, and additionally, through absinthe induced honesty, have come to realize an almost uncanny synchronization in our life experiences.

So the the journey continues and evolves...along with our beautiful ladies, we set out to hit the "Big Apple" and enjoy an extended weekend, taking in all the flavors and aromas that only springtime NYC can provide.
While sipping St Germain and champagne (a fabulous concoction we came up with in NYC and is not yet available in Utah), and perched high atop the 80th floor of the Time Warner Towers on the southwest corner of Central Park NYC (our temporary residence), we plotted our expedition through the concrete veins of the city. The goal...immerse ourselves in the blood of our host, and ingest and absorb as much energy, context, and creative juice that we could fill bellies, brains and souls with.

We all strode through the town each day from the Met to the Guggenheim, from the heart of Chelsea to the crevices of East Village...in search of nothing and open to everything. With John debuting a show titled "Survey" on the west coast at DDR Projects Gallery (www.ddrprojects.com) on June 7th, we chose to take this opportunity to conduct an interview/dialogue about John's current work and reaction to our NYC walk-a-bout. We looked for visual cues to divine "one-word" metaphors as a launching point for John's commentary.

John Bell was interviewed by artist/musician/ARTCOTIC representative Craig Cleveland (Seraphim - Improv Jazz & Spoken Word http://www.myspace.com/fieryserpent)

EMPIRE: We are sitting at the "Empire Diner", in NYC's Chelsea District, what could arguably be considered the heart of the New York "Art Scene". What do you consider to be your "EMPIRE"?

JB: My mind. Although it is subject to the occasional internal mutiny or hostile corporate takeover, it’s the only space I seem to have any real command over.

NOW: You have traveled to NYC this weekend to take in some of the "NOW" of the east coast visual arts scene...additionally you have an upcoming show titled "Survey" on the west coast, opening June 7th at DDR Projects Gallery (www.ddrprojects.com) in Long Beach CA...what do you see as differences in the "NOW" as it pertains the creation of art...and additionally your perceptions in the differences on the "NOW" from each side of the continent...the east vs. west?

JB: Right now the very idea of what is “art” has expanded to a point where the lines between object & experience have been erased (just head over to the Whitney for the biennale if you'd like an example). It’s a very interesting & challenging time to be an artist. Interesting because the possibilities & means for creating art are more wide open than they’ve ever been. Our access to art today is unprecedented. With so many private & public collections on view, more museums being built or expanded, more galleries, endless books & publications, & with the internet we can practically experience new works from around the world in real time. As a business it has exploded, which has increased the opportunities for artists to participate on a national & international level. But with all this growth & expansion of boundaries & definitions, comes the realization of just how much has come before you. That so much has already been realized. There are more players on the field than ever before, which makes it more challenging for an artist to be relevant. I believe these challenges are the same in the east as in the west.

SOUNDTRACK: You have said that music plays a major influence in your creative process...explain how music affects and/or affects your creative energy? Also...what is your "SOUNDTRACK" of today?

JB: Music is immediate for me. It’s an emotion, a shape, or a color from the first note. Nothing pulls me out of the routine or subscribed thought patterns of daily life quite like a great song. It is a far quicker emotional conduit than a book, a movie, etc… it can deliver you to another state of mind inside of a minute. Songs were kind of my first art instructors because they were the first emotional reactions in memory I had to an artist’s work. As far back as I can recall I have always tried to emulate music with my art. From a simple homage to a musician, i.e. a portrait, to eventually channeling the way a composition feels or sounds into physical manifestations with my dimensional paintings.

Today’s soundtrack: shuffle button, so it’s a rainbow effect.

PEDESTRIAN: Would you consider yourself a "PEDESTRIAN" or a trailblazer?

JB: Trailblazer. My way of thinking & creating has never lined up very well with pedestrian expectations.

TRADITION: Standing in the lobby of the Hotel Chelsea, well-known as a residence for many artists, musicians, and writers such as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Willem De Kooning, Jack Kerouac, and Jasper Johns, to name a few...how does "TRADITION" impact your work? Who would you like to call right now from the phone booth in the corner of the lobby?

JB: I feel honored to be involved in a tradition that so many great artists were & are a part of. They set the bar pretty damn high, & that inspires & drives me to attempt to raise it. Call from the phone booth? Um… I'd like to call Lou Reed, maybe share a drink or seven & spend some time in his orbit.

CONNECT: You have mentioned your deep appreciation and "CONNECTION" to other non-visual artists such as the poet Charles Bukowski...what do you "CONNECT" to in the work of others and how do apply that to your own creations.

JB: Honesty. People who are not trying to be anything other than who or what they are. The inscription on Bukowski's grave says "Don't Try", I love that. He meant it as don't try (fake) to do something, do it or don't.

LEARN: To use the metaphor of "riding a bike" to describe when you first became aware of your desire to be an artist...what was the epiphany...the moment in time that you "LEARNED" you wanted to ride that bike?

JB: Actually it happened in the reverse. The "epiphany" came the first time I realized I could get off the bike, meaning I had no idea that I was or could choose to be anything else other than an artist. I was born with wheels, so it was never a conscience choice to roll, it just was.

ISMs: Name some words that end in "ISM" that you value?

JB: Pragmatism, altruism, romanticism, universalism, expressionism, idealism, optimism.

GIVE: We have all heard of the phrase, "to pay it forward"...this can be used as narrative on the joy of experiencing art...what would you like to "GIVE" to a stranger? Conversely, what would like to be "GIVEN"?

JB: Possibility. A jumping off point for flights of imagination & conversation. A primal pleasure they weren’t expecting, or the occasional smack in the face to snap them out of the mind numbing stupor the daily grind can provide. This falls under the notion of do unto others…

OPPOSITION: Once again, because you are now standing on the east coast, and you soon will be displaying your work on the west coast...the word "OPPOSITION" comes to mind...do feel that "OPPOSITION" is a integral part of creation...and how do you process "OPPOSITION" in your work and your life?

JB: Life is opposition. Everything is born out of that, good & bad. You process it by simply existing. It finds & affects us all, but artists (in my experience) tend to seek it more than your average pedestrian. If anyone doesn’t believe me, try having a show. Put your soul up there on the chopping block… then we’ll talk.

INSPIRATION: I don't want to get cheeky or cliché, but as you are very aware "INSPIRATION" plays a part in any creative endeavor. The question I would like to ask you is not what inspires you...but rather how do find "INSPIRATION" and thereby recognize it as "INSPIRATION"?

JB: I guess I'd have to say it’s in the doing. I’ve been involved in the creative process for so long, internalizing my craft for so many years that it’s become second nature to me. I’m voracious with books, magazines, music, art… constantly searching, interpreting, processing & creating. It seems like damn near everything gets me thinking & questioning… & that's key, inspiration always comes from the questions. It can be as simple as what if…

SEE: "SEEing" is believing, so they say. What do you "SEE" when you look at an empty canvas...and do you believe what you "SEE"?

JB: I see another chance at a connection with something larger than everyday life, & I choose to believe. 

HERO: What is a "HERO"...and more importantly who are some of your "HEROS" in the art world and the world in general?

JB: In terms of artistic pursuits, anyone brave enough to follow an intriguing light to it source in direct opposition of popular opinion. Best example that comes to mind… Bob Dylan.

CHALLENGE: As an artist you are faced with a "CHALLENGE" each time you step in front of your canvas...what do you view as your greatest "CHALLENGE" as a pursuer of creation?

JB: Keeping the faith. There's a lot fingers pointing out there, at you, at where someone else thinks you should or shouldn't go directionally, or should or shouldn't do or say. Finding a balance between aspirations, influence, desires & fears keeps me pretty busy.

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DDR Projects is proud to present the West Coast debut of Utah based artist John Bell to the gallery showcasing his prolific and multifaceted fine art. The show opens June 7th, 2008 at 7:00 PM - The show is titled "SURVEY" for more information visit www.ddrprojects.com

For more information on JOHN BELL check out his website www.artistjohnbell.com and also leave him a comment on his artcotic artist profile.