Louisiana State Artist Laureate

Johnny O. Bell

Adopted in 1952

Louisiana Legislature Archives
§157.  State artist laureate
The governor is authorized to appoint an artist laureate for the State of Louisiana, who shall serve during the term of office of the appointing governor.  
Said appointee shall be a citizen of this state and shall serve under the provisions of this section without remuneration of any kind whatsoever.
Acts 1952, No. 14, §1, 2.

Johnny O. Bell contribution to the state and in recognition of his exceptional artistic achievements, Johnny O. Bell was named Honorary State Artist Laureate by Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster two years after the completed work "Louisiana," was declared the Official State Painting.

Johnny O. Bell applied his artistic talent to the trades of diesinker and toolmaker, and became a renowned commercial artist. Raised in Michigan, the Westfield, Massachusetts, native was commissioned to do works of art throughout the United Sates.

During World Was II, his talents, layout and spatial design, caught the attention of US Army officials. He became the "artist in residence" in his company.

After his military discharge in 1943, Bell married Margaret Thompson and the couple settled in Kosciusko, Mississippi where he opened a sign company. In 1955, the Bells and their three children relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he founded Bell Advertising and Murals.

Bell is best known for his mural art. Beginning in the 17th century, vividly colored oils on canvas, such as those used in "Louisiana" the official state painting, became characteristic of mural paintings.