Julian Bell is a painter and art writer based in the English town of Lewes, East Sussex. He studied English Literature at Magdalen College, Oxford. From 1974 however he set up as a painter, 'learning on the job' by accepting commissions for portraits, landscapes and pub signs.
He has exhibited his paintings widely, and is also the author of eight books, including studies of Van Gogh, Bonnard, and the neglected 17th-century original Adam Elsheimer.

We begin Creageivity 41 with a look back to Julian’s distinguished artist parents, Quentin Bell and Anne Olivier Bell, and find out about a connection to Hollywood actor George Clooney. Later, we also hear a little of other relatives from the famous Bloomsbury set.

Julian’s quiet and self-effacing manner masks a very individualistic way of looking at life - and expressing his spiritual viewpoint - in images which are arresting and highly engaging. His work deals with the world as it is, and can show nature, motorways, and the entrance to cities, sometimes using aerial and unusual viewpoints. An example Julian talks about (seen by Adrienne and Harlan) is a ceiling painting in Pelham House, Lewes, where the viewer is looking up at a tightrope walker crossing the vault. The painting is also notable in that it includes the portraits of many of the people working on the refurbishment of the building at the time.

We also get to hear about painting techniques, and how Julian dealt with a disastrous fire which destroyed his studio, along with a huge stock of his unsold work.
A thoroughly interesting episode!

Julian’s website: https://julianbell.co.uk

Julian's gallery: https://natashaokane.art

Julian’s books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/5959.Julian_Bell

Book about Julian’s work: Storytelling Pictures: The Art of Julian Bell by David Carrier (Distanz Publishing, 2026)

Music:
Bartok Mikrokosmos 77, by Lorenzo Buczek
Bach Cello Suite in Gmaj, by PM Music
(Note: Julian’s actual listening, as mentioned in the podcast was to Pierre Fournier, however copyright on this is not possible)
Sunny Café, by Alex Morgan

If you feel you're too old to be creative, or too creative to be old, then Creageivity is the podcast for you!