Suckling, Nigel.

Julie Bell, born October 21, 1958, in Beaumont, Texas, is an American artist recognized for her contributions to fantasy and heroic realism genres. Her work spans fine art, illustration, photography, and wildlife painting. Bell's artistic journey was influenced by her early interest and success in bodybuilding, which informed her depictions of strong, idealized female figures. She has illustrated numerous book covers, magazines, video games, and trading cards, and designed various sculpture series for The Franklin Mint. Bell's artistic achievements have garnered significant accolades, including multiple awards from the Art Renewal Center, where she was designated an "ARC Living Master."

Bell's career began to flourish in the early 1990s, with her art gracing the covers of over 100 fantasy and science fiction publications. She also contributed cover art for Marvel and DC trading cards and video games, including Sega's Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe. Her design work extends to collectible series like Dragons of Destiny and Temptation Rides. In later years, her art was featured on the cover of Meat Loaf's 2006 album Bat Out of Hell III and the poster for the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie. Bell shares her studio in Pennsylvania with her husband, fellow fantasy artist Boris Vallejo.

Julie Bell is primarily associated with the heroic fantasy and fantastic realism genres, creating art that often features idealized, muscular figures, particularly women. This stylistic choice was significantly influenced by her background in bodybuilding, where she achieved national recognition. Her early studies in painting and drawing provided a foundation for her detailed and dynamic compositions. Bell's work often evokes a sense of power and beauty, blending anatomical precision with imaginative themes. Her artistic output includes cover illustrations for a wide array of fantasy and science fiction books and magazines, as well as visual elements for video games and collectible trading cards, demonstrating her versatility across different media.

Bell has received substantial recognition for her artistic contributions. She is a recipient of Chesley Awards and holds the distinguished title of "ARC Living Master" from the Art Renewal Center (ARC), bestowed upon her after winning numerous awards in their International Salon, including top honors in the Imaginative Realist and Animal categories. Beyond her painting and illustration, Bell has also lent her design talents to various collectible series. She was the designer for the Dragons of Destiny sculpture series, the Mistress of the Dragon's Realm dagger series, and the Temptation Rides sculpture series, all produced by The Franklin Mint. Her collaborations with her husband, Boris Vallejo, have resulted in numerous joint projects and publications.