For years, Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net has been about two things only – awesome art and the artists that create it. With that in mind, we thought why not take the first week of the month to showcase these awesome artists even more? Welcome to “Awesome Artist We’ve Found Around The Net.” In this column, we are focusing on one artist and the awesome art that they create, whether they be amateur, up and coming, or well established. The goal is to uncover these artists so even more people become familiar with them. We ask these artists a few questions to see their origins, influences, and more. If you are an awesome artist or know someone that should be featured, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com. This month we are very pleased to bring you the awesome art of…
Bella Grace is a UK based graphic designer and digital illustrator who studied Digital Film & Screen Arts at University. Her aim is to create a piece which portrays both the conceptual and aesthetic qualities of a story. Currently represented by the Poster Posse agency, Bella has worked on official projects with Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm Ltd, Universal Studios, and more.
JoBlo: What got you started as an artist?
Bella: For me, it’s all about passion. Do what you love, love what you do. Art and design has always been my core passion in life whilst growing up. I have explored creative expression through art, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, and digital illustration. Without exploring different creative fields, I wouldn’t have paved my way to working on illustrated movie posters. My other passion is visual storytelling, movies and the cinematic experience. The work that goes into movie production has always fascinated me and was what inspired me to study for a filmmaking degree at University. Quite simply, I wanted to combine my main passions in life – art and movies. Before illustrated posters, I was close to pursuing graphic design in film after admiring the work of Annie Atkins for The Grand Budapest Hotel, and MinaLima’s wonderful 10-year portfolio for Harry Potter. I then stumbled across an alternative movie poster of The Jungle Book by Olly Moss, and that opened a whole new portal for me to marvel over.
Who were some of your favorite artists growing up?
My favourite artists growing up are Vincent Van Gogh, J. R. R. Tolkien, Salvador Dali, Bev Doolittle, Josephine Wall, David Hockney, Eyvind Earle, Frank Frazetta, Brothers Hildebrandt and Drew Struzan. Drew Struzan’s work was the first illustrated movie poster I can remember, which left a lasting impression on me as a kid. When I see something visually compelling I would just stare at it for ages and let it take all my full attention which explains why these first impressions are so vivid to me.
Who do you really dig these days, follow on Instagram?
I think my favourite these days has to be Kilian Eng as every single poster he makes is jaw-dropping and I would love to own one of his artworks one day. There really are too many to list but to name a couple must follows would include: Doaly, Ben Turner, Eileen Steinbach, Nicky Barkla, Marie Bergeron, John Guydo, Joey Chou, Danny Haas, Robert Hunter, Freya Betts, Grzegorz Domaradzki, and Juan Ramos.
What advice would you have for budding artists today?
Try not to feel pushed to produce work faster than the algorithm on social media. Let things take time and make quality not quantity. It’s ok to have other artists influence your work for growth and development but ultimately the goal is to find your own style and recognition. “Be the best version of yourself rather than a bad copy of someone else” – Conchita Wurst. I would also recommend becoming a part of the artist community you are involved with by supporting one another, together is better!
What should we be looking out for from you in the future?
Well in the near future I will be taking a short break to become a new mum! But I have plans to keep it flowing and the passion growing in alternative movie posters. I have made a screenprint piece for The Dark Knight which is currently being processed for release soon with Vice Press. In addition, I hope to create more digital releases with my agency over at the Poster Posse who have been monumental in my amp career so far.
Being a fansite, we have to ask you… What are some of your favorite movies/TV shows of all time?
A few of my favourites include Back to the Future, Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, The Dark Knight, Black Panther, Blade Runner, The Mandalorian and Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. I also love animations like Disney’s Mulan 1998, and Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse. My favourite currently is the new Loki series on Disney+. I’ve been really privileged to work on limited edition official screen prints for both Back to the Future with Zavvi Gallery and Jurassic Park with Vice Press. Both came with a foil variant which looked fantastic as a result of the fine work by White Duck Editions.
Scroll down to check out some of our favorite art pieces from Bella as we continue to follow her journey across her Website and social media hubs: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Store
Aliens
Annihilation
Avatar
Avengers: Infinity War
Back To The Future
Blade Runner 2049
Coco
Cruella
Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance
Frozen II
Game of Thrones
The Iron Giant
Jurassic Park
Mulan
My Neighbor Totoro
Shazam!
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker
Stranger Things