caption training nationality field birth_date image article_title name bgcolour
michael bell , in studio lycoming college in williamsport , pennsylvania american painting , murals , screenwriting 10 april 1971 thumb michael bell -lrb- artist -rrb-
 michael bell # 6495ed
michael bell -lrb- artist -rrb-

michael bell -lrb- born april 10 , 1971 -rrb- , is an american portrait painter , muralist and screenwriter .
bell is known for his array of mobster paintings and for his portrait painting clientele , which includes the late john gotti and numerous actors from `` the sopranos '' , `` goodfellas '' , `` a bronx tale . ''
bell is also a domestic violence and anti-bullying activist .
in 2005 bell was awarded the los angeles good shepherd community service award .
his `` voices of violence '' paintings featuring ex-mafia wife turned hollywood author georgia durante were auctioned off at the four seasons hotel , beverly hills following his debut of a short documentary film about the paintings .
in 2012 bell 's activism led to his contributing projects on `` 30 human rights '' for eric fischl ; in 2012 bell painted a notable portrait of amanda todd , the port coquitlam , b.c. teen that committed suicide .
this portrait made international headlines in the huffington post and forged lifelong partnership between bell and carol todd , mother of the fallen teen .
`` bell 's works are often the mirror to a tragic world , but they deepen our humanity through psychology , ghostly brushwork and a personal color palette that draws on memories and silent echoes from the artist 's own dark , turbulent past . ''
- martin cid , editor in chief , yareah international arts magazine .
