Born: 1976, St.Louis, Missouri. Education: Laurrel Hearst Pre-School, Graduated with Honors 1980. Art Institute Seattle, Washington, Associates Degree in applied arts, 1996 Art Center College of Design, Pasadena California, BFA,2001.

I have been doing art since I was little, like a lot of artists I started out with crayons on the walls. So far I have experimented with many different techniques and mediums, Silk screen, acrylic painting, sculpture, wood, cardboard, spray paint, computers and the list goes on. I feel that my strength is my creative vision, the ability to create art that is not limited to the medium but has its strength in its finished form. In the finished form, the look, message and reaction that it produces is effected by the medium, but does not necessarily rely on that medium. That the art speaks to people, makes people think and makes them feel my intent.

The reason why I do it is to make a difference, not necessarily to try to change the world, but to be a voice that speaks to people through my art. But of course I do it for myself. Its my cup of coffee in the morning and my warm milk before I go to bed. It helps me get up in the morning and it is what relaxes me and allows me to to sleep at night.

Q:Who or what are things that influence me? A:The list is endless. First my family got me started. I used to draw and color with my older brother David when we were little. My mom painted when I was little and I use to help here when she made stain glass windows. My dad is a teacher and he also writes poetry, in 1999 I had a show where I made paintings about some of his poems. Other than family, friends, teachers and other artists. Some painters are Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kerry James Marshall, Jacob Lawrence Keith Haring and so on. To round of the list... cartoons, sugar cereal, and music. Jacob Lawrence described his philosophy about making art that I relate to." My Belief is that it is most important for an artist to develop an approach and philosophy about life. If he has developed this philosophy, he does not put paint on canvas, he puts himself on canvas." Jacob Lawrence, 1946 So now I'm just living and developing my philosophy on life.

About Popular Organics:

About two years ago i start making an orchid out of wood for my best friends birthday. I never finish that orchid, but fell in love with the flower just the same. I have painted a couple dozen orchid paintings since. I guess my fascination with the flower is not because it has gained popularity amongst consumers. But because there are so many different species and colors of orchids and I am amazed by there visual complexity.

When it comes to birds they also have similar qualities, such as color, variety in species, size and shape. There is also different connotation that comes with each type of bird, weather its predator or prey or beauty or beast. Birds to me represent beauty and freedom. Freedom to soar as high as they can and then come back down and live amongst the rest of us.

I produce art based on subject matter that calls out to me and challenges me to try to understand it and interpret it.

Robert Joseph Bellm 2006