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Art & Life with Simon Bull

Today we’d like to introduce you to Simon Bull.

Simon, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was sent to boarding school at the age of seven whilst my parents were serving overseas with the Army during the closing years of the British Empire. I never lived at home with them again, except during school vacations. I began selling paintings in High school and have been keeping up with demand ever since. I became England’s best selling artist in 2000 and despite three global recessions, cancer and innumerable business challenges, I have survived and thrived over four decades to produce work that resonates deeply with my collector base and beyond.

I immigrated with my wife and three daughters to the US in 2003. My art has been represented in over three hundred galleries across America. I was the official Artist for Muhammad Ali during the last seven years of his life. Last year I was the official artist for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. I have given talks at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, was the official artist for the 2002 Winter Olympics and won several national awards, including the National Association of Limited Edition Dealer’s Medal of Honor for services to the Art industry. My first studio in the US was in Canoga Park Ca and I now live and paint in the beautiful Monterey Peninsula area.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I want my art to reach out, slap people on the back and say: “Have a great day!” It is colorful, inspirational, optimistic. I am inspired by nature and all my crazy life experiences and musings. I paint big, bold, acrylic works, utilizing unusual techniques and surprising textures and looks. My painting is a window to step into and beyond the everyday.

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
My business plan has always been simple: “Create the best art you can and show it to as many people as you can.” Many young artists can be overwhelmed by the size of their failures and, by comparing themselves to artists with lifelong reputations, give up too soon. I started by selling photographs to teachers at my high school for 25 cents each. I then progressed to selling paintings for $20 and kept going from there. The idea is to start small and grow over time.

If you persist in showing your work, one day, someone will see it and give you a hand up to the next level. There is no roadmap for the life of an artist. It is unique to you and to the times in which you live.

On the creative side, I would advise artists to get as close as possible to the actual source of their inspiration, to study from life more than photographs. To take time to learn techniques and experiment with different materials. The artist’s studio should be more like a science lab where experiments are tried out and new discoveries are made. Avoid predictability; show us something old in a new way. Have fun!

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work is represented by MEUSE Gallery, with locations in Carmel and Saint Helena, we welcome a lot of visitors from LA.

Contact Info:

  • Address: Meuse gallery is located at: SE corner Ocean and Monte Verde, Carmel CA & 1331 Main Street, Saint Helena CA
  • Website: www.meusegallery.com
  • Phone: Carmel: (831) 622-3010  & St Helena: (707) 968-5942
  • Email: info@meusegallery.com
  • Instagram: meusegallery
  • Facebook: meusecarmel
  • Twitter: meuseartgallery


Image Credit:
Darren Lovecchio, Tom Birmingham

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