Bill Kassel Fine Art: December 2015

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Monday, December 14, 2015

Finished and available in time for Christmas

The Tulpehocken Creek in the Fall
7x10

Medium - Gouache & watercolor

$300.00 matted & framed

Frame size 11x14

The Red Gate

10x14

Medium - Gouache and watercolor

$400.00 - Matted & Framed

Frame size - 16x20

Cardinal - Refined Grace

7x10

Medium - Gouache & watercolor

$300.00 Matted & Framed

Frame size - 11x14

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

On my easel 12-8-2015

On my easel - starting to add detail
Cardinal
7x10
Watercolor & gouache on 140# Canson watercolor paper

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Why do paintings cost so much?

A typical painting involves countless hours of research, planning the composition & painting. It also involves getting frustrated when your painting enters that ugly stage. Yes, all paintings go through that ugly stage. Then after several passes of refinements it starts coming together into a cohesive work of art that has feeling and expresses emotions.

The other factor is the cost of materials: Watercolor paper $6.00 to $10.00 a sheet, Mat board for matting the art $15.00 to $20.00 a sheet (2 are needed for a double mat). Frame - $35.00 to $55.00 depending on size or even more for a custom frame. That’s just for materials, it does not count for the time involved in cutting the mats and the actual framing including the dust cover that’s added to the back of each frame or the hanging hardware that is attached to the frame.

About Me

I was born in Chester County in 1951 and consider myself a Contemporary Realist. I started painting around the age of 12. I developed my interest in painting through my high school art classes with the help of my teacher Myrna Foote. My passion for painting was fueled by other Chester County Artists, N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, Jamie Wyeth, Peter Hurd and Howard Pyle to name a few. I was also inspired by the works of Norman Rockwell. My subject matter is primarily from Chester, Berks and Lebanon County areas. I also have a passion for Colonial Williamsburg and other historical sites. I mainly work with gouache and watercolors and sometimes acrylics & oil. My favorite medium is gouache because of its versatility. After High School I started my studies at Penn State as an Art Education Major. I later switched to the Hussian School of Art in Philadelphia, earning a Associate of Arts degree. Studies included Graphic Arts, Illustration & Fine Arts. While at Hussian I studied fine arts under Elaine Dubrow, Louise Clement, Ruth Petlock, Kim Soo, Max Fisher, Walter Condit and Oliver Grimley. My works are included in many collections throughout the east coast. My Vision As an artist, I am inspired by everything around me. I am fascinated by the hidden color and textures that can be found in light and shadow. A primary goal of my art is to bring awareness to the wonderful world that surrounds us. I try to capture this vision in my paintings so others can see the beauty as I see it.