Nigel Suckling

Julie Bell, born October 21, 1958, is an American artist recognized for her contributions to fine art, illustration, photography, and wildlife painting. She is particularly known as a fantasy artist, representing the heroic fantasy and fantastic realism genres. Bell's artistic career began to flourish after her youth spent in bodybuilding, which influenced her to create powerful, muscular female figures. She has illustrated over 100 fantasy and science fiction book covers since 1990, and also designed covers for video games and trading cards for major comic publishers. Her work includes sculptures for The Franklin Mint and cover art for music albums. Bell has received significant recognition throughout her career, including multiple awards from the Art Renewal Center, which bestowed upon her the title "ARC Living Master" in 2013. She shares her studio in Pennsylvania with her husband, fellow artist Boris Vallejo.

Julie Bell's artistic output spans fine art, illustration, photography, and wildlife painting, with a strong emphasis on fantasy and fantastic realism. A significant influence on her work stems from her background in bodybuilding, a passion pursued in her youth that earned her national recognition. This experience directly informed her artistic choices, leading her to frequently portray powerful and aesthetically muscular female figures in her art. Her style often emphasizes heroic fantasy elements, creating dynamic and compelling imagery that has resonated widely in the genre.

Since 1990, Bell has been a prolific illustrator, creating cover art for more than 100 fantasy and science fiction books and magazines. Her work extended into the early 1990s with cover illustrations for video games and popular trading cards for Marvel and DC superheroes. She also lent her artistic vision to product design, including the "Dragons of Destiny" sculpture series and daggers for The Franklin Mint. Bell's distinctive art has graced album covers, such as Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose" (2006), and posters for media projects like "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters" (2007).

Bell's artistic achievements have been widely acknowledged through numerous accolades. She is a recipient of Chesley Awards and has secured first-place honors in the Art Renewal Center (ARC) International Salon. In the 2012-2013 salon, she received the most awards in any single competition held by ARC, including top placements in the Imaginative Realist and Animal categories, as well as a Best Portrait Runner Up. In recognition of her exceptional talent and contributions, the ARC awarded her their highest designation, "Living Master," in 2013. She also received the Denise McCalla Memorial Top Choice Award in 2015.