Simon Bull
Simon Bull | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 6, 1958 Bedfordshire, England |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Known for | Painting |
| Notable work | Muhammad Ali portrait series |
| Website | simonbullart |
Simon Bull is a British-born contemporary painter based in California, known for his vibrant and expressive acrylic paintings. His work often draws inspiration from nature, with a style that evolved from realistic landscapes to gestural, color-saturated compositions.[1]
Early life
Bull began selling his artwork while still in high school in England.[1] He rose to prominence in the UK by 2000, earning recognition as that year’s best-selling print artist according to the Fine Art Trade Guild.[1]
Career
In 2002, Bull was named the official artist for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.[2] He was also the official artist for the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., and led a workshop in partnership with the Smithsonian American Art Museum.[3]
In 2007, he began a collaboration with boxer Muhammad Ali, creating a series of portraits which were later exhibited in the solo show Language of Color at Park West Gallery in Michigan in 2016.[4]
Bull’s style shifted following a personal health challenge, including treatment for stage-two colon cancer, which led him toward a more abstract and expressive approach using bold colors, dark backgrounds, and techniques such as pouring and dripping paint.[5]
Exhibitions
- Language of Color, Park West Gallery, Southfield, MI (2016)[4]
- A Walk Through the Woods, Meuse Gallery, St. Helena, CA (2023)[6]
- Up North, Meuse Gallery, St. Helena, CA (2022)[7]
Style
Bull’s work is characterised by vivid colour palettes, gestural brushwork, and a focus on nature. His paintings often combine abstraction with observational details.[3]
Personal life
Originally from the UK, Bull relocated to the Monterey Peninsula, California, in 2003 and became a U.S. citizen in 2011.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Art & Life: Simon Bull". VoyageLA. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Simon Bull biography". Meuse Gallery. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Beyond the Studio: Simon Bull". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Park West Gallery to present the artwork of Simon Bull". Park West Gallery. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Life Lessons Learned from Simon Bull". Park West Gallery. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "A Walk Through the Woods with Simon Bull". Simon Bull Art. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Up North: Simon Bull paints Northern California and Beyond". Meuse Gallery. Retrieved 8 August 2025.