BY SUZY STUMP for WEEKLY VOLCANO 6/13/25
When Adika Bell was seven, he sat down with a pencil and paper to draw a pair of brand-new school shoes. The results were so detailed that it startled him. “It was the first time I had made a really detailed image of anything,” he recalls. “I was so happy and proud of myself.” This experience planted a seed. He saw what he could do and he never looked back.
Today, Bell—known in the art community and on Instagram as @deeks253—is a respected visual artist whose portraits radiate Black pride, emotional honesty, and deep cultural affirmation. His work, often focused on identity, joy, and inner struggle, is part of a growing wave of contemporary portraiture pushing against stereotypes and reclaiming the narrative.
“I think it’s important to depict positivity,” he says. “There can be a lot of negative stereotypes that can easily invade impressionable minds.” Through bold color, stylized expression, and layered symbolism, Bell’s portraits speak softly but powerfully. He explains it like this: “I often use art to combat the struggles that I battled with at some point in my life. It’s my hope that my art reminds you that you are seen, valued and beautiful.”
Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Bell says his creativity was shaped not only by his own life experiences but also by the atmosphere of Tacoma itself. “There are so many talented artists in this area. It pushes me to challenge myself to be better,” he says. And then, there’s the weather. “It rains a lot,” Bell says, “so for me, it was natural to find a way to connect to something I could do indoors, or anywhere that wasn’t weather dependent.” In this way, painting became more than a hobby or a profession—it became refuge.
Bell’s creative method is equal parts discipline and instinct. He keeps a running list of ideas—concepts and visions collected over years. When he’s ready to begin something new, he combs the list for “the one that visually screams” at him. “Once I identify it, I’ll start with a sketch,” he explains. “Most of the time, I have an ideal composition that I’m aiming for—but occasionally I’ll just freestyle.”
That mixture of planning and improvisation is visible in his portfolio. Some portraits are precise, others are emotionally abstract. But all of them carry Bell’s signature themes: identity, memory, pride, joy, and sometimes, personal reckoning.
One of Bell’s most personal pieces is a self-portrait titled Surrendering to Self. The painting features two versions of himself—one kneeling, hands raised in surrender; the other extending a hand as a gesture of help and acceptance. “It was created from a space of self-acceptance, self-love, and the journey of finding myself,” he says. “Especially as an artist—but also as an individual.” It’s a piece rooted in vulnerability, but also strength.
It’s not uncommon for viewers to cry in front of Bell’s work—or, in some cases, reach for their checkbook. One woman approached him at a show, explaining that she didn’t have space at home to hang a painting—but gave him a check anyway. “She said my art would never leave her mind,” Bell recalls. “She thanked me for allowing her to simply experience and view my work. I was floored. It made me feel so good. I will never forget that moment. It was a pivotal moment for me.”
Bell cites Jean-Michel Basquiat as a key influence. “His style taught me that there are no mistakes in art,” he says. “Even if there is a mistake in your art, that mistake itself becomes art.” The lesson gave him freedom—an antidote to perfectionism and permission to keep moving forward.
Bell also credits the support of his community and peers for pushing him to evolve and experiment. His online presence, particularly on Instagram, reflects that evolution: reels show him live painting at events, while stills highlight completed pieces with minimal captioning, letting the art speak for itself.
Though he’s been featured in group exhibitions around the region, Bell is now setting his sights on a solo show—tentatively planned for next year. “I’m working on some brand-new concepts,” he says. “I’m excited to take my artwork to the next level, discover new styles and techniques, and refine my individuality and voice through art.”
For Bell, the journey is far from over. In fact, it feels like it’s just beginning. “This whole journey has been a surprise,” he says. “All the accomplishments and opportunities I’ve had are more than I expected. Art has given me purpose—and I really didn’t expect that when I started.”
From that childhood sketch of new shoes to emotionally raw self-portraits, Bell has followed his inner voice wherever it leads. His work stands as a quiet act of resistance, a love letter to culture, and a reminder to those who see it: You are enough.
