TIME TO PAINT the town! This season, a trio of art fairs hits Houston, beginning with the Houston Art Fair (formerly the Houston Fine Art Fair), where nearly 50 local and international galleries exhibit Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at Silver Street Studios. On the same weekend, the Texas Contemporary event is held Downtown at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Opening-night festivities include a collaborative performance with the Houston Ballet’s Oliver Halkowich and multi-media artist Chris Doyle. And a week later, the semi-annual Bayou City Art Festival returns to the streets of Downtown with hundreds of outdoor booths.
Artist Wayne Bell with pieces for December’s ‘Trapeze’ fundraising show
“Originally, I wanted to be a doctor,” says Bell, who studied at Morehouse College with plans to become an ob-gyn until he realized his passion for the creative wouldn’t leave him be. Bell’s mother Tommacina, whose many accomplishments include founding a children’s outreach and performing arts program in inner-city Chicago, strongly encouraged her son’s obsession with art. “I used to carry a little briefcase filled with art supplies,” says Bell, who began drawing at age five, and recalls creating an art installation by covering his older sister with Legos.
'Euniformity'
'Temporary Forever'
Upon graduating from Morehouse, Bell relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. It wasn’t a completely crazy decision, given his formative experiences acting in plays at The Ensemble Theater and acro-dunking for various basketball teams. (Despite spending long hours hunched over his canvases, Bell maintains the physique of an athlete.)
But the call to make art persisted, and Bell found himself painting in between bartending and acting jobs until, upon seeing some of the art Bell was making, the grandmother of the girl he was dating at the time told her: “This young man has a gift. Tell him I said not to waste it.” It was a pivotal moment for Bell, who made the decision to take the wheel, and channel his energies into painting. “I believe in God,” says Bell. “I believe in a higher power and His purpose for us all. But I also believe, as carnal, human, physical creatures, we are in the driver’s seat. Our life is our canvas.”
Now in his third year back in Houston, Bell is represented by Bisong Art Gallery, the city’s only black-female-owned gallery. His next show, Trapeze, opens Dec. 10 as part of a one-night-only black-tie fundraiser at the Lone Star Flight Museum and Hangar. Organized by Carla Bisong and sponsors, proceeds from ticket sales to Trapeze will go to benefit minority students pursuing a degree in fine arts.
For the show, Bell’s paintings — some on canvas, others on mirrors — will be suspended above the attendees, transforming the interior of the museum into an aerodynamic cathedral, a place for self-contemplation and spiritual ascension.
In Bell’s sunlit studio in Midtown, near a turntable and vinyl copies of The Best of Sade and Prince’s spiritual and sensuous breakthrough album 1999, lies a well-worn copy of Mark Rothko’s The Artist’s Reality: Philosophies of Art, personally autographed by Rothko’s son Christopher. Bell strongly connects with Rothko’s work and appreciation for Rembrandt’s emotive use of light, and is pleased his own paintings seem to also be making a long-lasting impression on viewers and collectors.
“I do believe my work is beautiful. But it’s humbling to see people look at the work with such astonishment,” says Bell. “Sometimes, I still can’t believe I can make a living off of this.”
Bella Madre’s new owners, Pia Tolomei and CC Brollier
“I got my master’s degree in accounting at Rice University and worked as an auditor for two years,” says Tolomei, 25. “I always wanted to work in fashion, and knew I didn’t want to sit behind a computer all day. I wanted to own a jewelry business.” For her part, Brollier, 28, a TCU alum and mom of one, says Bella Madre has always been a family affair. “I was working for a company for six or seven years and always helped my mom on the marketing side. I would work shows with her and I loved it.”
Delicate everyday pieces are beautiful — and giftable.
A colorful charm necklace makes a statement.
Not only are Tolomei and Brollier close friends — their moms are childhood besties, too. The name, which translates as “beautiful mother,” guides the duo as they carry the torch. “It’s called Bella Madre because two moms started the company eight years ago to honor their mothers. I loved the name and kept it to honor our own mothers,” Tolomei says.
The company partners with several vendors to offer one-of-a-kind pieces for their customers. “We can work with you to find the perfect gift for whomever you are shopping for,” Brollier says. “We can do customization where we design aspects of pieces as well.” The pair hopes to soon be designing their own line of jewelry.
And while Bella Madre has a built-in clientele, the new owners are hoping to reach a new audience, too. The latest creations have “a contemporary, young spin,” says Tolomei, whose own bella madre is CityBook publisher Lisa Holthouse. Brollier and Tolomei typically only buy one of each item, which “adds to our desire to keep our brand very personalized,” says Tolomei.
Touting both bold and delicate rings, earrings and necklaces, and statement pieces featuring motifs like evil eyes and butterflies, Bella Madre is available online and via social media. The duo also has a by-appointment showroom in Uptown.
At the end of the day, Brollier and Tolomei want their customers to feel empowered. “Jewelry instills confidence, and we want to make sure everyone feels confident,” Brollier says.
Tolomei agrees: “When you wake up in the morning, you want to feel good about yourself. If you have a beautiful piece of jewelry, even if no one sees it, you’re going to feel really good. We hope that people will buy Bella Madre pieces for themselves and for others to help them feel beautiful as well.”
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