Artist Statement

Ileana Simone Bell is a multimedia artist and creative coordinator born and raised on the East Side of Detroit. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wayne State University and has taught art in schools before stepping into her current role as the Arts and Creative Coordinator for The 126 Project, a faith-based initiative that nurtures artists at the intersection of creativity and spirituality.

Rooted in portraiture and figurative painting, her work reflects both her personal journey and her commitment to community. Through her practice, Ileana seeks to reflect the emotional, spiritual, and psychological landscapes of Black.

Her work focuses on Black figures and the inner lives they hold. She is interested in exploring emotions, memories, faith, and relationships, especially how these parts of our inner world connect to the world around us.

Her paintings often mix real life with imagination. She draws inspiration from Afro-futurism, dreams, and surrealism to create images that reflect both truth and possibility. Influenced by storytellers like Octavia Butler and films like Judas and the Black Messiah, she uses the human body to ask questions about identity, freedom, and hope.

Through her art, Ileana wants to honor the beauty, depth, and complexity of Black life. Her goal is to make work that invites reflection, encourages healing, and opens space for people to dream.