DUAL LIVES: from the Streets to the Studio

In Dual Lives, renowned American artist and 3-time national award-winning “Teacher of the Year” Michael Bell has written an inspiring and brutally candid memoir that chronicles his meteoric rise to becoming one of the most highly decorated public school teachers in America, all the while, living out a storied professional painting career as an artist to America’s most infamous.

Go behind the scenes with his intriguing clientele on how these friendships also fueled his career—from John Gotti to Al Capone’s great-nephew, Dominic Capone to numerous actors from “the Sopranos”, “Goodfellas”, “A Bronx Tale”, and more. Then, take a roller coaster crusade through the ever-changing, volatile landscapes of the art world and the US public education system.

This is the ultimate story of overcoming extreme adversity and being a true champion for today’s youth from someone still in the trenches, still at the top of his game. And, in the education arena, Bell has done the unprecedented. His students have earned tens of millions in scholarships; 7 back-to-back NAEA Rising Star Awards in art—an award presented to just one student artist in the entire nation annually; and 8 Scholastic Art National Medalists 3 years straight.

Bell also discusses the impact of his family life on his art—on the tragic stillbirth of his sister; on his lifelong relationship with his Grandmother, Violet, a self-taught artist from Lyndhurst, New Jersey; on his inspiring son, Carmen, Lil' C “the Butcher”, and his battles with Autism while on his quest to become a Golden Gloves boxing champion.

Dual Lives is passionately written, and just as courageously vulnerable as the compelling narratives found within Bell’s paintings. So, ride shotgun alongside Michael Bell throughout his meteoric rise across two very different worlds—from the streets to the studio.

Excerpt from the Foreword by PETER J. GOTTI

DECEMBER 16, 2014
Hello Michael, this is Peter Gotti. Please contact me as soon as you possibly can, I have a time sensitive project that I need to come to decision on immediately. Thanks, Michael.

"At the time of that phone call, I had no idea that Michael Bell would have such a profound effect on my life, like he would so many others. Up until that moment, I only knew of Michael 'the Artist', who, for whatever odd reason, my father, John Gotti, saved and savored a letter from, many years prior. I had little idea of Michael Bell the teacher, father, husband, inspiration, complex leader, and most important of all, true friend.

You will learn from Michael that pictures are filled with stories, and each of us has a story to tell. Thus, on that December day, my family and I were blessed enough to have Michael enter our souls, where he will reside until his last breath.

Michael proves on a daily basis what is possible if you show your students that you truly care and if you are willing to go all the way, commit heart and soul to entering the student’s world one can and will 'make champions.'

Along the balancing act of exploring the complex mind that Michael is blessed and cursed to have...you’re left to wonder if the perfect storm of unique personalities, characters, family, and steady burning fire inside him contributed to the creation of Michael 'the Teacher' and his fascinating and thoroughly impressive record in public education.

My belief is...Michael hasn’t even begun to paint his masterpiece." - Peter J. Gotti

Michael Bell is a renowned American Artist, most famous for his larger-than-life sized narrative series paintings and his infamous portrait painting clientele, which includes John Gotti, Dominic Capone and numerous actors from “the Sopranos”, “Goodfellas”, “A Bronx Tale”, and more. He’s also a father, fighter, boxing enthusiast, anti-bullying and Autism activist.

Bell has also excelled in the field of education, playing a vital role in pioneering the worldwide "Visual Journaling" movement. Bell is a National Board Certified Teacher and a 3-time national award-winning public school “Teacher of the Year” that has been honored with: the Los Angeles Good Shepherd Shelter Community Service Award, the College Board’s William U. Harris Award of Excellence, the NAEA’s National Art Honor Society Sponsor of the Year, the Washington Post’s Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award and the Dr. James E. Douthat Outstanding Achievement Award from Lycoming College. Bell is also a 7-time NAEA Rising Star Award-Winning Art Educator (2010 – 2016) and a 3-time Scholastic Art National Medalist Educator (2014 – 2016).

Bell has a BFA from Lycoming College and an M.Ed in Art Education from Towson University.