Upper Lake >> Where many artists found their inspiration in the masters — Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso — illustrator Steve Bellah instead looked to NASA’s Mercury Space Program and their artist at the time, Paul Calle.
Calle used a pencil drawing technique consisting of nothing but straight lines and Bellah adapted his own artwork from there. It’s a style that results in incredibly detailed pieces, where small lines come together to create shading, round edges and dimension.
From a young age, Bellah, the Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) featured artist for November, showed an interest in art. In grade school classes he’d draw instead of working on his coursework. Over the years he experimented with different materials and techniques, taking art courses here and there in college, but it was in the 1970s when Bellah discovered portraits and pencil illustrations that he knew he’d found his niche.
He shied away from other media like acrylics, oils and watercolors because of the mess involved. Bellah can pick up pencils and a pad of paper and create anywhere. Depending on the illustration and the amount of detail involved, it takes him 30 to 40 hours to create a piece.
Historic Lake County scenes, old famous figures and rock and silver screen stars, these are Bellah’s largest inspirations. He’s created a number of drawings of Lincoln and is attracted to those old-time, black and white photos partially for their lack of color. The shades of gray fit his pencil work.
While he may not have a larger overall message in his work, Bellah strives to always accurately depict his subject, particularly when it comes to people.
“It’s very important for me, especially portrait work, to get the likeness of the person I’m drawing,” he said.
A land surveyor by trade, Bellah had to take a step back from his work for a number of years, but as surveying work slowed, he was able to turn his attention back to his art, and with it he created a business, Illustration in Pencil. He draws his pieces, then creates limited edition prints. He sells those, frame included. He’ll occasionally sell originals, and he also takes commissions.
Bellah’s show at the LCWS will include most all of his pencil work and will be something of an overview of his art career. Like all shows at the studio, he booked the space two years ago, when he first hung his work on the warm-toned walls. He encourages the public to head out to the venue and see his work.
“It’s really nice to get the reaction of the people, whether they’re good, bad or indifferent,” he said. “I value their comments and what they’ve got to say about it.”
LCWS in Upper Lake will host two artist receptions for Bellah. The first is tomorrow from 5 p.m. -8 p.m. followed by one on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The receptions will feature wine from Moore Family Winery.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
