Young Artist Creates Graphite Art Showcasing the Stock Horse

A graphite pencil is to drawing, as black and white film is to photography.  In both mediums, the uncountable shades of gray that fall between the spectrums of black and white can allow the artist to portray more depth that all the colors of the rainbow.  For this reason, Western art newcomer Don Bell is using graphite pencil to immortalize the stock-type horse.

Raised in Tennessee, Bell has had a life-long connection to the horse industry.  The son of a professional horse trainer, he began showing horses at a young age, competing in events from halter to roping.

Marrita McMilian, an accomplished sculptress, recognized Don’s talent for recreating horses on paper and out of clay.  She encouraged the developing artist to participate in her art-related activities.  The two attended workshops in New Mexico and Colorado to develop their talents under such renowned artists as Veryl Goodnight and Eugene Daub.  Bell soon developed his own style using graphite pencil on a wide range of surfaces including fiberglass, canvas, and clay board.

Bell has been the official artist for both the AQHA World Championship show and the NRHA Futurity.  In 2007 he will once again showcase his talents for APHA as their official artist of the APHA World Championship Show.  The piece “Daddy’s Little Helper”, designed specifically for APHA, depicts a young girl riding a paint rope horse.

In addition to his budding art career, Bell shows horses professionally.  It’s a working combination that he truly enjoys.  “Being in the horse and livestock business is something that always has been and always will be a part of my life.  I may not compete forever but my love for horses and the people that enjoy them will always be present in my art,” said Bell.

“I’m especially fascinated with their eyes and facial features, and I like to portray subtle expression.  I’ve always been impresses with artists who can capture horses as they really are; the ones who can capture the expression of a horse.  That’s what I have hoped to do with my pencil work,” quoted Bell.

In 2003, Bell and his wife, Joetta, formed Don Bell Quarter horses in Whitesboro, TX where they live today.  From the ranch, Bell fits and trains show horses which he has lead to multiple AQHA, PHBA, ABHA world and AQHA Congress championships.  In 2005, he was the exhibitor and trainer of the Grand Champion Stallion at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the world’s largest single-bred horse show.  Daily, he continues to be surrounded by images of the animals that captured the eye of his youth; images that he now captures in turn, through the skill of his hand.

“I just want to be recognized by real horsemen as an artist who genuinely captures the beauty and personality of horses.”

"Buckie"

In conjuction with AQHA and NCHA, Bell designed and completed this project for the AQHA Foundation. The rocking fiberglass horse was sold at auction for $28,000. Proceeds helped fund scholarships warded by AQHA