We recently had the chance to connect with Susan Bell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Susan, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I wake up early about 5:30.. Feed the Horses & Cats. Let the chickens and the Ducks out. Have my coffee, enjoy the morning watching the chickens and ducks. Read a little. Then I get dressed take the dogs for a walk. Then I ride the horses, weather permitting. Then I begin my days work in the art business. That could be painting, framing, making website changes, entering shows or preparing art for shipping. I work until about 5 then think about what to do for dinner.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Susan Bell. I have been working as a full time artist since the 1990’s. I grew up in Colorado and have always had a deep attraction to the west. The land and the animals. So when I was faced with making a decision on what direction to focus my art on it was easy to choose western art as a genre. I feel that part of being a successful artist is to have a connection to one’s subject.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me about work from an early age. He brought me to work with him and I was able to see how his respect, appreciation, encouragement and connectedness to the people that worked for him allowed everyone to thrive and prosper.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The painful things in life have taught me that you don’t fall apart because of them. It’s powerful to know that who you are fundamentally is still there. Knowing that you have strength. It gives you the knowledge to know that you will emerge from the ashes. I have always discovered that in hindsight it has led to a better place.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I feel that our most important individual power in this democracy is not necessarily our vote but how we spend our money. I find that most people don’t make the connection between what they consume and how that supports markets & ultimately power in the world. I often hear people complain about how they don’t like China, yet can’t go a day without buying a Chinese made item. There are fewer and fewer choices when it comes to how we consume and yet we keep making the choice to buy something on Amazon rather than buy local. Its too easy. We as Americans have become lazy in our consumption. We tend to not take responsibility for our part in creating the whole. We as a collective have a lot of power to shift markets but most people either don’t see the connection or don’t want to make the effort.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am somewhere in nature listening to the sounds, watching the movement to plants and life and trying to capture all those dimensions with paint and canvas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.susanbellfineart.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/artistsusanbell
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/susan.bell.
Image Credits
all my photos
