“Louisiana” was designated the official painting for the state of Louisiana by Act 981 signed by Governor Edwin W. Edwards on June 29, 1995.

Containing representation of every current official symbol as well as many commonly accepted state icons and dominated by the state colors of gold, white and blue, the oil painting was a collaboration by artists Johnny O. Bell and Johnny F. Bell. The artwork of Johnny O. Bell and his son is so similar in technique that the artists themselves, in many instances, cannot separate their own works. The artists claim that one can start an artwork and the other finish it without any inconsistencies in style.

The artists began to conceive of the idea and design for an official state painting in 1972. Work on the painting began in 1975 and was basically complete in 1985. Minor enhancements were made by the artists to the painting prior to its adoption as the official state painting.

Among the unique features of the painting is the artists’ signature which reflects the homogeneous nature of the artists’ work. The painting is signed Johnny O. Bell with the middle initial of the younger Bell, “F”, placed inside the middle initial of the senior Bell.

Adoption of “Louisiana” as the official state painting was supported by numerous state and local officials. Prior to its adoption, the painting hung in the office of Lt. Governor Melinda Schwegmann and at the Governor’s Mansion in the office of the governor.

The process for adoption of the painting as an official state symbol began in the Senate. With unanimous committee support, the bill, authored by Mike Cross, D-Baker, went to the floor for vote as Senate Bill 485. The bill passed the Senate on May 17, 1995, by a vote of 27-9.

Senate Bill 485, with the unanimous support of the House committee, went to the House floor for vote. Introduced by Rep. Mike McCleary, D-Baker, and co-authored by approximately 65 legislators, the bill passed the House unanimously on June 8, 1995, with 101 representatives present for the vote.