MY STORY
“I have a gift, a humble one that I have labored greatly to develop and refine as a force for good.” -Pearless Speller
Artist Pearless Speller is a native of Windsor, N.C. Born as one of four boys to Pearless Speller, Sr., and Rebecca Sanderlin Speller in 1959, he discovered his gift at age four. He would work for hours to make sketches from coloring books.
Encouraged by a nurturing grandmother, Speller furthered his art education by receiving a double degree at N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro. He has a B.A. in art design and a B.S. in art education He studied art history at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and studied art at East Carolina University in Greenville.
He was an art teacher in Bertie County, N.C., schools from 1989 to 1993 and has worked as a printer and supervisor in several print shops in North Carolina.
Speller’s work is unique. Moods set with color, dramatic lighting effects, illusions of texture and dark values beside light values characterize his work. He carefully applies oils or pencil with many techniques and styles to create realistic and surrealistic images of contemporary life. He has shown his work in numerous locations throughout North Carolina and has sold work throughout the U.S.
Speller won the best in show in the 47th annual National Juried Art Exhibition at the Imperial Centre for Arts and Sciences in Rocky Mount, NC, in 2004. His painting, "The Jazz Musicians," was selected from more than 350 entries. This oil painting is now a part of the museum’s private collection.
Speller served on the Board of Directors of the Greenville (N.C.) Museum of Art from 2007-2010 when he curated the museum’s only two shows, since its inception in 1935, featuring African American Artists of North Carolina. The first show in 2008 showcased the work of 16 artists, while the 2009 exhibit featured 10 artists.
Speller is founder of Spell Art, Inc. a non-profit organization that educates, promotes and supports the arts and artists. Its mission is to create new works and share the process and results with the community through activities such as exhibits, lectures, performances, readings and similar ventures.
Spell Art has been recognized in Greenville-Pitt County for volunteer service and contributions to Pitt County Schools. It also serves senior citizens through its programs.
Speller and his wife live in Greenville, N.C., with their 18-year-old son, who will be a college student in the fall, 2020. He has another four adult children and 10 grandchildren.
