Meet Dale Bell

My inspiration for creating the Tool card came from my first encounter with the bees. I met my wife, Jackie, in 2009. She just happened to be a beekeeper. One of our early dates was to an organic farm where she kept her hives. I had never been around bees except the occasional forager on a dandelion as a child. I was intrigued as she picked up a tool and opened a hive, I was amazed. They were so calm. At that moment I was not afraid. All fear left, all that remained was deep curiosity and an immediate love of the bees. She removed a frame, turned her back to me and held the frame up to the sun for a closer inspection. With the impatience of a child I picked up the tool and copied her actions. I pulled a frame and held it up, no gloves, no fear. The bees were kind and gentle, forgiving of my ignorance. My life was forever changed.

Since that experience my skill with bees has grown. I have learned what a valuable part of beekeeping the tool is. It has many different uses, from opening hives and exposing the inner mysteries and energy, to moving frames, removing wax, scraping and cleaning of boxes and equipment.

My challenge in creating the art for the Tool was making sure that I portrayed just how important it is to work with the correct tool. Not only for my benefit, but for the benefit of the bees. The tool is leverage, an extension of the beekeeper's hand. It allows inspection with minimal damage. The proper use of the tool in a skilled and tender hand, ensures minimal disturbance and damage. Intentional and confident use of the tool is often rewarded with a stream of bees buzzing a gentle greeting.

I am not an artist, I am not a writer and I shy away from the spotlight, however to be involved in the Bee Sisterhood Oracle from the beginning, supporting my wife, supporting all the other women involved and seeing the dream take life stirs up deep emotion. The unselfishness of all of the women involved amazes me. I am attached in a way that surprises and delights me and I look forward to seeing the vision grow.