Brooklyn Heights-based Andrew Markus Bell has a knack for getting his art seen, whether at the Bitcoin Center…or on leather or lingerie

by Catherine Gigante-Brown

To artist Andrew Markus Bell, an empty wall is an opportunity.

“When I saw all the wall space at Manhattan’s Bitcoin Center, I suggested they cover it with art,” said Bell. Nick Spanos, founder of the Bitcoin Center NYC, not only agreed to his proposal, but took him on as creative director.

“Nick is a visionary in many ways ,” explained Bell. “He draws upon people’s talents and resources, and puts them to work. He gave me a unique opportunity, and I’m running with it.”

Thanks to Bell, the American action painting has returned to the Financial District with his solo show at Bitcoin’s 40 Broad Street gallery. He also brings unique entertainment to the center’s Satoshi Square events.

His local presence has grown exponentially through series of happy accidents. Carrying home a canvas on the subway one day, he was approached by the proprietor of Illisa’s Vintage Lingerie in Chelsea. “Illissa collects early 1900s lingerie and has supplied pieces for Broadway shows like Dr. Zhivago and Cabaret. She asked if I’d be interested in painting on lingerie, and the rest is history,” Bell recounted.

Which lead to leather. “When you’re with Illissa good things happen,” he added. “While I was in the shop, Rhonda Ochs was looking at one of my painted lingerie pieces and Illissa said, ‘The artist happens to be right here.’ Rhonda was looking for someone to paint on her summer 2015 handbag collection.” (The line will be out by August, graced with original Bell creations.)

Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Bell credits an early education where an art curriculum was mandatory with fostering his creative edge. “In kindergarten, we learned the color wheel and made books with wallpaper. We were authors early on, and were empowered to create,” he said. “Growing up, I was artistic in every way, especially with my clothes.”

In high school, Bell started “The Human Relations Club,” which garnered the grand prize in a PSA competition sponsored by MTV’s “Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Discrimination” campaign. It included a trip to New York City. He recalled, “Coming from a sleepy little Florida own, I couldn’t believe the energy, even at midnight.”

After high school, Bell took time to travel. He returned to Manhattan as soon as he could, honing his craft at the Art Students League of New York. “It was an incredible place, so diverse. The flow of creativity was palpable,” he told. “The staff had at least 2,000 years of experience, and were more than willing to share this knowledge with their students.”

Describing his art as evolutionary, Bell isn’t settled into one particular genre.

“I started with pointillism ink on paper, but in 2014, I began experimenting with paint on canvas,” he said. “It’s free wielding. I’ve always worked with the canvas on the floor and a sort of choreography takes over when I’m painting.”

Bell attributes his success to what he calls an immigrant’s mentality. “When you’re an immigrant, you have to rely on your own resources, so you leave no stone unturned,” he explained. “If they have wall space, I talk to them. I learned how to curate a show, fit work to a space, how to label it and present it all by doing it. In Morocco, I even sold my art on the street.”

His prolific work is in private collections around the world, and regularly shows up in pop-up galleries. NYU’s Stovall/ Kimmel Gallery has included Bell in exhibitions, as did Harlem’s Heath Gallery and The New York Society for Ethical Culture. You may have spotted his exuberant Jackson Pollockesque canvasses while sipping a latte at Williamsburg’s The Bean Café and Gallery.

These days, Bell hangs his hat on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. “I never met a part of Brooklyn I didn’t like,” he admitted. “I lived in Bed-Stuy for a while, and always felt at home and safe.”

Still an artist on the rise, Bell offered, “I’ve endured challenges since dropping everything to ursue art. If you give off good energy, I believe you’ll always find kindhearted people to support you. It’s worth following your dreams. You get what you give, so give it all.”

Andrew Markus Bell
andrewmarkusbell@gmail.com