Profile on Paul Bell

Paul Bell first love is art and painting in particular. Glaswegian Paul spent his formative years as an aspiring artist, and, at an early age managed secure a foundation course at Glasgow School of Art (GSA) sponsored by his then employer, The Fletcher McNeece Partnership, one time one of the United Kingdom’s top interior design partnerships (citation from The Glasgow Herald, the 2nd of December 1981). Paul went on to be offered a full-time study place at the GSA, however, as a young married man with a young family, Paul couldn’t afford to go to Glasgow School of Art. He instead attended part-time art classes studying life drawing and pursued a career in interior design after being awarded a Diploma membership to the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers. Following a twenty year career specializing in Architectural and Interior illustration, Paul finally left his illustrator’s desk in 2012 and returned to his first love, painting. Since his return his daily dedication and passion to his craft has culminated in being selected as one of the finalists to the BBC’s Amateur painting competition the Big Painting Challenge from which, after a gruelling six weeks, he emerged as the winner. He was crowned champion amateur artist 2015 on March the 29th and today has two of his works hanging at the Tate Britain Galleries.