“While grounded in the academic tradition of painting, I am equally at ease with contemporary tools—such as digital photography
and software—using them to realize my vision further.”
About Grandier
Grandier Gil C. Bella (b. 1972, Philippines) is a Filipino realist painter, educator, and art advocate. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in Painting, from University of the Philippines in 1993, graduating cum laude. His practice is grounded in a sustained study of traditional painting techniques, which continues to shape both his work and pedagogy.
Working primarily in oils and soft pastels, Bella is known for figurative and still life paintings articulated through contemporary realism. His works are distinguished by refined color relationships and meticulous rendering, often dwelling on quiet, observed moments, where light, surface, and presence unfold gradually through sustained observation.
Guided by his commitment to “slow art,” he approaches painting as a deliberate, time-intensive process where careful observation becomes both method and message, inviting viewers into a more contemplative mode of seeing.
“While grounded in the academic tradition of painting, I am equally at ease with contemporary tools—such as digital photography and software—using them to realize my vision further.”
His paintings have been featured in international publications such as Fine Art Connoisseur, International Artist, and Pastel Journal. He has received numerous awards in local and international competitions, and was recently awarded Finalist in four categories in the Art Renewal Center Salon Competition (18th edition). His works have been exhibited in galleries across the Philippines, Denmark, Dubai, and the United States. He is also recognized for his advocacy of the soft pastel medium, having served as past president of the Philippine Pastel Artists Inc., and for organizing Pastelero, an annual group exhibition showcasing contemporary pastel practice, now in its fourth edition.
Bella is a member of the Filipino Portrait Artists Guild Inc., Pastel Society of America, and Portrait Society of America. He serves on the board of the Philippine Pastel Artists Inc. and the Dimasalang Progressive Artists Guild. He is currently a faculty member at the UP Diliman College of Fine Arts, where he mentors emerging artists. As an educator, he emphasizes observational discipline and sensitivity to materials, grounding students in both tradition and critical inquiry.
Bella divides his time between teaching, developing new works for exhibitions, and undertaking selected portrait commissions.
Professional Affiliation
Faculty, University of the Philippines, Diliman, College of Fine Arts
Secretary, Filipino Portrait Artists Guild
Board Member, Philippine Pastel Artists
Board Member, Dimasalang Progressive Artists Guild
Associate Member, Pastel Society of America
Member, Portrait Society of America
Selected Exhibitions
2026 — Pastelero IV, Art Camp, Makati City
2026 — Symphony of Colors, Gateway Gallery, Quezon City
2025 — ManilART, SM Aura, Taguig City
2025 — A Season of Light, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Manila
2024 — Philippines’ Finest, House of Representatives, Quezon City
2023 — 43rd International Association of Pastel Societies Fall Juried Exhibition
2023 — ManilArt, SM Aura, Taguig City
2022 — Personal Resonance, Art Elaan, Paranaque City
2020 — Sampayan, Pinto Art Museum, Antipolo City
2017 — Maharlika, Seattle Center, USA
2015 — Tagaligtas 44 Mural Tribute, PNP Academy, Cavite
2013 — Iskwalado IV, Galerie Anna, Mandaluyong City
2011 — Interventions, Artis Corpus, Mandaluyong City (Solo)
2009 — Points of Contention, Galerie Anna, Mandaluyong City (Solo)
2008 — Ethnic Vignettes, Seattle Center, USA (Solo)
2004 — Grandier, Pasig City Museum (Solo)
Awards and Recognition
2025 — Finalist, 18th Art Renewal Center Salon International Competition
2024 — Finalist, Members Only Competition, Portrait Society of America
2023 — Selected, International Association of Pastel Societies 2023 Juried Fall Exhibition
2009 — Semi-Finalist, 5th Art Renewal Center Salon International Competition
2007 — Finalist, 41st International Artist Prize Challenge
2006 — Honorable Mention, Pastel Journal 7th Pastel 100 Competition
2005 — Third Place, Mixed Media 57th AAP Annual Art Competition
2005 — Finalist, EPIX ’05 Epson Photo Imaging Exposition
1991 — Juror’s Choice, Shell Annual Competition