My name is Samantha Bell, and I’m an artist, art and writing teacher, children’s book writer and illustrator, homeschooling parent, and mom of four great kids. I love finding new ways to improve my work, and I want to share them with you! Here you’ll find ideas, tips, techniques, books, videos, and websites to help you along your creative journey.
If you don’t have formal art training, don’t worry! I don’t either! In fact, my degree is in history. But I do love to draw!
My Art Background
Ever since I was little, I always enjoyed art and writing. When I was about 7, my mother found a private art teacher for me, and I worked with her for several years. Then in middle school, I joined the band class, and my extracurricular focus became music until I graduated from high school.
During college, I continued with music but majored in history, earning my teaching certification in social studies. But two years after graduation, I was still working temporary office jobs. Then my sister suggested I teach art to my nieces and nephews. Me? Teach art? The idea sounded a bit crazy, but I could show them what I knew.
And it went really well! So I kept teaching the kids, as well as teaching myself with books from the library (these were the pre-internet days). You can see examples of my art on this page and on Instagram.
And then…
I kept teaching! Over the past twenty-five years, I taught numerous art classes to children and adults. I’ve taught creative writing at our homeschooling co-op, and I present lessons and workshops at schools, libraries, conferences, and writer’s groups. I also create commissioned works for individuals, including custom portraits.
Publications
About the same time I began teaching art, I took a class in children’s literature. That class was the rather slow start to my journey as a children’s author and illustrator. Today, I’ve written and/or illustrated more than 200 books for children, including nonfiction and picture books. I’ve also published work online and in magazines. You can see my resume here. And I did it with a degree in history!
Is there something you’d like to create? I’m proof that you can do it! Just grab your favorite supplies and get started!
Interviews
You can also find me online in the following interviews:
With Suzanne Lieurance – BookBites for Kids Podcast
With Joan Edwards – “An Interview with Samantha Bell”
With Arbordale Publishing – “A Conversation with Samantha Bell”
With Sally Matheny and Write2Ignite! – “Writers are Flexible”
With Nancy Stewart – “Artist for All Seasons”
With Sandy Carlson – Part of the Random Acts of Publicity 2011
Chick-fil-A is collecting kid-created art to possibly be featured on Kid’s Meal prizes in 2023.
More information and instructions on how to submit kid art can be found at https://www.chick-fil-a.com/stories/lifestyle/kids-meal-prizes-to-use-kid-designed-art.
Thank you for this! I had it posted on the contest page (just moved it today to completed contests).
Do we have a art contest soon? I didn’t have time.Because of school.
There will be a new art challenge next week! 🙂
Hey! I want yo share my works with you . How can I ?😊
are these contest for participants sitting in Dubai ?
Participants in Dubai can enter any that say “ALL COUNTRIES”.
Hi there~
I am an elementary school librarian in Anchorage, Alaska and I have been offering virtual opportunities for my students for years. Now that we are even more remote, and kids don’t have art class, they are desiring to be connected to an artist who can share about life as an artist, and maybe get a tutorial as well. I am using Zoom to connect students to presenters. Would this be something you would be interested in participating in? Thanks for considering
Sure! Send me an email at sam at artstartsforkids.com and we’ll see if we can work out a time. 🙂
Hi Sam,
My daughter is studying 2nd std and loves drawing, but i dont find any tutor to teach her. I stay in Hyderabad (India) is it possible to you to teach her drawing and i hope she will also learn a good English as well.
Regards,
Ravi
HI Ravi,
I have not drawing long-distance before, but it would be good to try. I will find out what kind of technology I would need. I’ll email you soon!
Hi
My daughter is 7 years old.
She is very creative in art and drawing.
How can I send her drawings to you?
Which country are you in?
We live in Canada.
Thanks
Sorry for the late reply! The holiday season had me swamped with more projects than I could keep up with. 🙂 Yes, you can send them to me! The easiest way for me to get them posted is if you use the form on this page: https://www.samanthasbell.com/your-art-gallery-2/
i’m expected for thes contests i wish i will win
I tried lot of time to upload my two daughters art works.but i couldn’t.i dont know whats the wrong..
It came through! It’s on the site now!
Hi Samantha,
Thank you so much for all those contests list. We follow your list religiously. Ultimately. We just got back from London for my daughter, Keda ( 9) award ceremony with Never Such Innocence, Royal Air Force and The Royal British Legion. Please help them by promoting their art contests
Dateline Coming Up:
https://www.neversuchinnocence.com/thank-you-competition
Additional contest – UK German collaboration
https://www.neversuchinnocence.com/poetry-and-art-competition
Thank you! And congratulations to Keda!! That’s amazing!!