Unfortunately, the world Bela knew was about to be turned upside down. World War II changed not only the face of Europe, but the faces and lives of every individual who experienced the horror of warfare itself. Bela's family was no exception as they had to face their own anguish when the Bela’s father was captured and sent to a Russian prison. Bela's mother had died when he was 4 and so he was taken in by his grandmother. He helped his family by taking his paintings to school and selling them to the soldiers for food. "I was one of the few kids who never had to worry about whether I would have lunch," he recalled ironically.

At 15, he enrolled in the Budapest Academy and studied under the great contemporary artists of his homeland: Barcsay, Szonyl, and Szalai. He also received private instruction from Hungary's foremost 20th century artist, Istvan Csok. Talent was no protection from the deterioration of his country's political situation, however, and as a communist takeover became eminent Bela made plans to escape to the West. He was captured, and while imprisoned by his own countrymen he painted pictures of his guards, fellow prisoners and created fantasy images to escape the tedium of life without personal liberty. At the age of 17, he was released before coming to trial. His third attempt to escape from Hungary was successful and he eventually made his way to the artistic mecca of Paris, where he began maturing his style and establishing his career in Europe.

Coming to the United States in 1957, Bela began his life in America with a good omen. Arriving in New York with virtually no command of English, he set his easel up in Times Square and let his work do the communicating, selling his first painting in a matter of hours. Since that time, he has lived on both coasts and the Midwest, eventually settling in his present location in Northern California. As his career flourished, Bela was approached by Walter Foster Publication to create and design a book on the art of painting landscape scenery. The resulting publication, 32 Painting Lessons in Oil, is still respected as a fundamental source of information, and is still carried in hundreds of art supply stores nationwide.

A romantic impressionist, Bela's work in landscapes and his magnificent florals are full of energy, reminiscent of those artists who revolutionized the Paris art world a century ago. Noted for his masterful use of luminous color and light, Bela regards texture as an integral part of the finished work. "What makes my art appealing is the texture with which I complement every painting," he says. "Texturing a painting doubles the amount of pigment required, but it adds to the depth and impact of the composition."

This multi-talented personality has made a significant contribution not only to the world of art, but to the realm of humanities in general by also distinguishing himself as a musician and classical composer. While it is not true that an artist has to suffer for art, it is true that they do possess the gift of channeling negative experiences into positive expression. Perhaps, in part, the tenacity and bravery Bela Bodo has shown for the sake of his freedom has played a role in making his talents so prolific and varied, and his work so eloquently appreciative of the beauty found all around us.

His paintings are in the fine art collections of Nancy Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego and many other private and corporate collections throughout the United States.