Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanell Bell.
Hi Chanell, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been creative, but over time I realized creativity wasn’t just something I did ..it was how I saw the world. I started with visual art and photography, drawn to capturing moments and telling stories that felt culturally grounded and personal.
As I grew, my creativity expanded beyond canvases and cameras. I found myself drawn to vintage and antique pieces and objects with history, character, and craftsmanship. Sourcing and reselling them felt similar to creating art: recognizing value where others might overlook it and giving it new life.
That same instinct led me into rental arbitrage and spatial design. I became interested in how environments influence experience and how a space can tell a story just like a photograph or art. Designing and operating short-term rentals allowed me to merge aesthetics with entrepreneurship, building income while curating atmosphere.
Today, I see myself as a multidisciplinary artist and creative entrepreneur. Whether I’m creating visual work, curating vintage pieces, or transforming a property into an experience, the throughline is the same. I’m drawn to potential— in objects, in spaces, and in people. Right now, I’m in a transition phase as I relocate and refine my focus, but everything I’ve built so far has been about aligning creativity with ownership and long-term impact.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to honor my creativity while also building stability. I’ve had moments where I questioned whether I was doing too much or not enough, especially in a world that demands the best of you.
There were also periods of financial uncertainty and transition that forced me to be resourceful. Instead of seeing those moments as setbacks, I learned to treat them as lessons in adaptability. That’s actually where a lot of my growth came from, learning how to turn creativity into something sustainable without losing its soul.
Another challenge has been knowing when to slow down. I’m someone who builds constantly, and I had to learn that stepping back doesn’t mean giving up. Sometimes it means refining, recalibrating, and choosing alignment over urgency. Right now, as I prepare for a move and a new chapter, that lesson feels especially relevant.
Every challenge has shaped how I approach my work today leading with more intention, patience, and respect for the process. None of it was wasted.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist and creative entrepreneur. My work spans visual art, photography, murals, and wearable art, vintage and antique curation, and more. While the mediums vary, the intention stays the same…storytelling through aesthetics, space, and history.
I specialize in recognizing potential. Whether I’m creating a piece of art, sourcing a vintage object, or transforming a property into a lived experience, I’m drawn to things that carry character and meaning. I’m especially interested in how environments and objects hold memory and how art, space, and culture intersect to shape how people feel and connect.
What I’m most known for is my eye — not just visually, but intuitively. I tend to see value where others might overlook it, and I take pride in bringing that value forward in a way that feels thoughtful and grounded. My work often reflects themes of identity, place, and transformation, and it’s rooted in both creativity and real world function.
What I’m most proud of is building a life where creativity isn’t separate from sustainability. I’ve learned how to let my art coexist with entrepreneurship without compromising its integrity. Creating income through art, vintage curation, and spatial design has allowed me to stay independent and intentional about the projects I take on.
What sets me apart is that I don’t approach creativity in isolation. I think holistically about culture, longevity, and impact. I’m not just creating objects or images; I’m creating experiences, environments, and systems that support creativity over the long term.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The biggest piece of advice I would give is to take yourself seriously before anyone else does. You don’t need permission to begin, and you don’t need to wait until everything feels perfect. Most clarity comes from movement, not from planning.
I also wish I had understood sooner that it’s okay to have more than one interest to share to the world. For a long time, I thought I needed to choose a single lane to be taken seriously. What I’ve learned is that your range can actually be your strength so long as you’re intentional and patient with yourself.
Another important lesson is to build sustainability alongside creativity. Loving what you do is powerful, but learning how to support yourself through it gives you freedom. Don’t be afraid to learn the business side, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. It doesn’t take away from your art, it protects it.
Lastly, trust timing. There will be moments when it feels like nothing is happening, but those are often the seasons where you’re refining, learning, and laying foundations you can’t see yet. Keep going, even quietly. It all adds up.
Pricing:
- Photography & Visual Art Projects -Contact for pricing
- Murals & Custom Art-Contact for pricing
- Vintage & Antique Pieces-Contact for pricing
- Creative Direction / Spatial Design for Short-Term Rentals-Contact for pricing
- Life Coaching – Contact for pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://babeatelier.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenames_babe/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThenamesBABE/featured
