Biography

Fiona Bell grew up on the flood plains of the Murrmbidgee River fifty miles from Griffith and Jeralderrie where when it rained it became like a green park for beautiful water birds and exquisite wild flowers. Being sent away to school at the age of six instilled in her a longing for that special place.

Fiona began her studies at East Sydney Art College and travelled overland to Europe, with lasting experiences.

After having a family, she worked in a waldolf kindergarten for many years, doing artistic things with the children and pursued her artistic activities at home in batik,watercolour and woodcuts to embellish her homelife. Fiona joined an drawing painting group with Jeremy Gale for many years, who teachers the techniques of the artistic visionary Cecil Collins.
Some years ago Fiona had the experience of longing for"Noonameena", her birthplace, aboriginal for "sleep in the bush". This picture was with her for about a year. Eventually, Fiona went back toher place of birth, bringing peace. Since this time there has been a noticeable Australin influence in her work.

Now Fiona is part of a drawing group with Sarah Jenkins, Bella Pieroni, and Lily Corbett their teacher, inspired by the teachings of Cecil Collins.The group also draws together with Bella Pieroni, using free media, beginning their sessions with stillness and orientation, music and movement are an important part of the studies.

Fiona enjoys most media including oils, water colour, egg tempera on gesso ground, clay, conte crayon charcoal, pencil and chinese ink in seven tones. With the latter, chinese brushes, quill pens, reed pens, fingers and feet may be used.
This technique extends into type movement and type of mark, dots, dashes, lines straight, curved, in intervals and continuous. Non of this is nothing new in the world of art, but a way of freeing and discovering the creatve process.

Fiona currently lives in Hartfield, in the heart of the Ashdown Forest with her two daughters.