Poppy Field Wonder, 2018

Rozanne Bell  

Rozanne Bell was born in Zimbabwe in 1962 where she lived for 40 years.

The vibrancy, creativity and colour of her character are reflected in her work. Her expressive, bold and expansive nature embodies the topics and styles of her paintings.

Born in Zimbabwe, Rozanne developed her artistic career there, painting colourful flora and fauna of Africa, which she then personalised with her own humorous perspective. She came to Britain in 2002 and whilst her style and subject matter has since expanded greatly, the memories and influences of her native country are reflected in the vibrancy and depth of her painting. Her love of the Dorset countryside where she now lives have a huge influence in her work as she is surrounded by the beautiful coves and harbours of Cornwall.

Focusing predominantly on the contemporary taste for naïve art, Rozanne's artistic techniques are displayed in each of her mixed mediums paintings resulting in a beautiful depth of colour and texture.

“Ever since I first picked up a paintbrush with my mother as a little girl, the compulsion to paint has dominated my life. I know that the extraordinary colours, light and contrasts of Zimbabwe where I grew up and had to leave twelve years ago, are to blame. I have not succumbed to the temptations of limited editions or mass-market prints. Each picture I paint is an original with no one painting being the same as another."

"Ever since I first picked up a paint brush with my mother as a little girl, the compulsion to paint has dominated my life. I know that the extraordinary colours, light and contrasts of Zimbabwe where I grew up and had to leave in 2002, are to blame. Art became and has ever been my friend, supporting my children and me throughout. Starting with exhibitions of animals and flowers at the age of sixteen I have expanded my repertoire to include landscapes and country scenes, harbours, twilight and moon light scenes and even space and galaxy paintings. Ever conscious of those who like and buy my work, and delivering true value to them, I have not succumbed to the temptations of limited editions or mass market prints. Each picture I paint is an original with no one painting being the same as another."

"I'm very much that person who washes dishes badly so that the family do them instead. I'm a great one for taking shortcuts with my daily life! I have the concentration span of a gnat. Due to this flaw in my personality I have come up with a process of stages.... it's very costly and labour intensive! I paint my work in six layers. I wing a background just going with the flow. That is then resined. I then put a structure to it. That is then resined again. I then take my piece and turn it into the painting I desire and pour the details in, it's what I call my salivating stage! I gel my layers and dress it as I call it! A bit like me piling my mascara on having done my make up!!! And oh how I pile my mascara on. The final piece is then resined. I have obviously chosen a pain stakingly long, time extensive route as each layer of resin takes 9 hours to dry."