Les
Bell is well-known in the Quad Cities area for his teaching at St.
Ambrose University, his wide intelligence, and his colorful and
sensitive use of the nude in his art. There are few artists who can
so easily paint the human figure as the primary subject of their
work. The new Leger Gallery, in downtown Davenport, is presently
hosting a 10-year retrospective of his paintings.
In
Bell's world, the nude form is an artistic style, a psychological
mystery, and a symbol. He is painting women in their many
relationships and roles - from strong to vulnerable, from innocent
to wise, and from beautiful to detached. She appears as a nervous
young girl looking out from behind a curtain, a busy young woman at
the beach on her cell phone, a calm, dark-haired female eyeing her
companion, a distressed woman turning away, an intense, worldly lady
erotically drying herself on a beach, a shy young girl, a young
maiden holding snakes, a waif, a French courtesan, a Spanish dancer,
and many more.