AJ: Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. Because of the Covid19 pandemic I cannot meet you in person and see your artworks up close. A zoom call will have to suffice.
BOB KESSEL: Don’t worry. This too shall pass. Once we all get our vaccinations you are invited to stop by and view my pictures first hand.
AJ: I have been following you for many years. I first saw your artworks at the Museum of Yachting in Newport Rhode Island in the summer of 2005. Those familiar with Bob Kessel’s artwork know that he works in series. Many are based on his extensive knowledge of art history with takeoffs on Picasso’s Minotaurs, Matisse’s Odalisques, or Cezanne’s Bathers. He mixes together different art styles to produce unexpected hybrids. Like Japanese Kaiju (monsters) with Italian Futurism, or Hello Kitty with Edvard Munch. Can you tell me how that museum show came about?
Museum of Yachting outdoor banner for the Bob Kessel art exhibition 2005
BOB KESSEL: They saw my art at the Mystic Seaport Museum art show, “Illustrating the Sea” the year before and asked me to have a one man show at their museum.
Mystic Seaport Museum art exhibit poster
I didn’t have many nautical themed pictures, so I had to make a museum full on short notice. The theme didn’t bother me, what ever the subject, I am always basically doing the same thing. My concerns are always the same regardless of the subject matter. The art of composing shapes in a square never changes for me. As Albert Einstein said, “Everything should be as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.” Color composition is also important. In the case of Newport Nauticals, color is limited to black lines and red, yellow, blue and gray colors. The trick is to make each picture different with various color combinations.
I named the show “Newport Nauticals” and filled the museum with 65 new prints made specially for the show.
It was very well received. The museum went all out. They even hired a jazz band on opening night (The museum is home to the yearly Newport Jazz Festival) and had the cream of Newport elite attend. The show was so popular, they extended the show a few more months.
AJ: Well that’s enough about sail boats. When I think of your art, I think of course, about your art history pictures. I guess that is what you are best known for. What are you working on right now?
BOB KESSEL: I am working on a new art series called “Cinema”. I am making art based on movies I like. To name a few; “La Belle Noiseuse”, “Yojimbo”, “The Razors Edge”, “La Dolce Vita”, and “Gentlemen Prefer Blonds”. Loosely based on, not just illustrating scenes from the movies. I take a bit in my head from the movie and run it through the Bob Kessel art filter.
"Blondenen Bevorzugt" from the CINEMA art series by Bob Kessel
AJ: Who are you favorite artists?
BOB KESSEL: I have been greatly influenced by the Japanese artist Hokusai.
Great Wave by Hokusai
If you had an original print from the Edo period of “the great wave” by Hokusai, you would be unbelievably rich.
What is interesting to note, Hokusai traveled all over Japan making art. He sent his drawings to his publisher in Tokyo, who then had specialist wood carvers cut the blocks for the prints. Other specialist printed the blocks. Hokusai would offer color suggestions which were at times overridden by the publisher who took license with the coloring to take advantage of color preferences in the market.
Now through all this, Hokusai never touched, nor even in most cases, never saw the prints, yet, they are considered to be his and are extremely valuable.
What I take away from Hokusai is his art was Flat, Stylized and design conscious.
Another note; Hokusai was one of the greatest artists of all time, yet he never made an oil painting. In fact, he probably never even saw an oil painting. All his artwork was wood block prints.
Hokusai self-portrait
Hokusai wrote at the age of seventy-five,
AJ: I read that you studied zen for years.
Can you tell me something about it?
BOB KESSEL: There are hundreds of books about zen.
They all start with a preface saying, you cannot explain zen with words. Now here are ten thousand words about zen.
I can best explain zen to you with this joke:
Question: How many zen priests does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Answer: Two. One to screw it in, and one not to.
Another joke:
The Dalai Lama goes up to a hotdog vendor in New York City and says, “Make me one with everything.”
AJ: Moving on.. can you tell me your philosophy of life?
BOB KESSEL: I think it is important to know where you want to go in life and how you would define success.
For me, I would say, the only real success is to be able to spend your life in your own way.
I want to spend my life as an artist, so I made my life around that goal.
I will quote the great philosopher Yogi Berra,”You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going because you might not get there.”
AJ: Can you tell us about your art career?
BOB KESSEL: I remember my art teacher at university on my first day telling the class that if you want to be a success, you should become an astronaut instead of an artist. Statistically you have a better chance of going to the moon than becoming a successful artist.
If by “successful” you mean make a living at it, yes it’s tough.
As an example of just how hard it is to sell art, I will tell you that Vincent Van Gogh had his paintings shown in a Paris gallery his brother Theo owned. His brother was never able to sell one picture. There were some other unknown artist’s paintings displayed in the gallery as well which were also left unsold. Perhaps you’ve heard of them? The artists were Monet and Renoir.
Just imagine, a gallery filled with Van Goghs, Monets and Renoirs (today valued in the billions) and not a one sold. That is a tough market! Being good doesn’t translate necessarily to financial success.
But, those artists persevered and continued to make art in spite of financial hardships. And I would say that the world is a better place because of it.
Is the world better off with my artworks in it? That is for you to decide.
AJ: Any advise for other artists?
BOB KESSEL: I am not much on advice, but since I am in a joke telling mood, I will tell you what the comedian Steven Wright said, “I just wrote a children’s book…. Not intentionally.”
AJ: I take it you mean, don’t be unintentionally naive.
BOB KESSEL: Not unless you are Grandma Moses.
If you want to be an artist (or writer) I would quote Charles Bukowski, “Don’t do it.”
Portrait of Charles Bukowski (Sadder Budweiser) by Bob Kessel
Read his poem below-
so you want to be a writer?
By Charles Bukowski
if it doesn't come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don't do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don't do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or hunched over your
typewriter
searching for words,
don't do it.
if you're doing it for money or
fame,
don't do it.
if you're doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don't do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don't do it.
if it's hard work just thinking about doing it,
don't do it.
if you're trying to write like somebody
else,
forget about it.
if you have to wait for it to roar out of
you,
then wait patiently.
if it never does roar out of you,
do something else.
if you first have to read it to your wife
or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
or your parents or to anybody at all,
you're not ready.
don't be like so many writers,
don't be like so many thousands of
people who call themselves writers,
don't be dull and boring and
pretentious, don't be consumed with self-
love.
the libraries of the world have
yawned themselves to
sleep
over your kind.
don't add to that.
don't do it.
unless it comes out of
your soul like a rocket,
unless being still would
drive you to madness or
suicide or murder,
don't do it.
unless the sun inside you is
burning your gut,
don't do it.
when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.
there is no other way.
and there never was.
AJ: Thanks to Bob Kessel for a thought provoking interview. I will definitely be visiting his studio once it is safe. He said that he loves visitors and will resume visitations by any art fans once it is safe to do so.
BOB KESSEL: Don’t worry. This too shall pass. Once we all get our vaccinations you are invited to stop by and view my pictures first hand.
AJ: I have been following you for many years. I first saw your artworks at the Museum of Yachting in Newport Rhode Island in the summer of 2005. Those familiar with Bob Kessel’s artwork know that he works in series. Many are based on his extensive knowledge of art history with takeoffs on Picasso’s Minotaurs, Matisse’s Odalisques, or Cezanne’s Bathers. He mixes together different art styles to produce unexpected hybrids. Like Japanese Kaiju (monsters) with Italian Futurism, or Hello Kitty with Edvard Munch. Can you tell me how that museum show came about?
Museum of Yachting outdoor banner for the Bob Kessel art exhibition 2005
SallyAnne Santos, Director of the Museum of Yachting says, "Bob Kessel’s NEWPORT NAUTICALS series uses bold color and strong shapes, taking its’ inspiration from sailboats and coastlines. Mondrian-like bold primary colors and geometric shapes with a maritime theme evoke the Aeronautical signal flag alphabet."
BOB KESSEL: They saw my art at the Mystic Seaport Museum art show, “Illustrating the Sea” the year before and asked me to have a one man show at their museum.
The show included such well known illustrators as; Terry Allen, Gary Baseman, Guy Billout, Barry Blitt, Lou Brooks, Seymour Chwast, Joe Ciardiello, Kinuko Craft, Brian Cronin, Jack Davis, Peter De Seve, Randall Enos, Bernie Fuchs, Bob Giusti, Steven Guarnaccia, Peter Hoey, Brad Holland, Jordin Isip, Gary Kelly, Bob Kessel, Anita Kunz, William Low, Ross Macdonald, Bill Mayer, Hal Mayforth, Wendell Minor, Robert Andrew Parker, Bill Sienkewicz, Peter Sis, Greg Spalenka, Bob Staake, Mark Stamaty, Dugald Stermer, Bonnie Timmons, Murray Tinkleman, Jack Unruh, Clare Vanacore, Roxana Villa, Brad Yeo.
Mystic Seaport Museum art exhibit poster
I didn’t have many nautical themed pictures, so I had to make a museum full on short notice. The theme didn’t bother me, what ever the subject, I am always basically doing the same thing. My concerns are always the same regardless of the subject matter. The art of composing shapes in a square never changes for me. As Albert Einstein said, “Everything should be as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.” Color composition is also important. In the case of Newport Nauticals, color is limited to black lines and red, yellow, blue and gray colors. The trick is to make each picture different with various color combinations.
I named the show “Newport Nauticals” and filled the museum with 65 new prints made specially for the show.
It was very well received. The museum went all out. They even hired a jazz band on opening night (The museum is home to the yearly Newport Jazz Festival) and had the cream of Newport elite attend. The show was so popular, they extended the show a few more months.
Elaine Lembo, Editor, Cruising World Magazine, the preeminent yachting publication, writes about Kessel's NEWPORT NAUTICALS series, "Artist Bob Kessel's bold and geometric work bespeaks so convincingly of nautical imagery that it's turned up again and again in regatta winners circles, at marine fundraisers, and at maritime art exhibits throughout New England, from Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut to the Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island."
AJ: Well that’s enough about sail boats. When I think of your art, I think of course, about your art history pictures. I guess that is what you are best known for. What are you working on right now?
BOB KESSEL: I am working on a new art series called “Cinema”. I am making art based on movies I like. To name a few; “La Belle Noiseuse”, “Yojimbo”, “The Razors Edge”, “La Dolce Vita”, and “Gentlemen Prefer Blonds”. Loosely based on, not just illustrating scenes from the movies. I take a bit in my head from the movie and run it through the Bob Kessel art filter.
"Blondenen Bevorzugt" from the CINEMA art series by Bob Kessel
AJ: Who are you favorite artists?
BOB KESSEL: I have been greatly influenced by the Japanese artist Hokusai.
Great Wave by Hokusai
If you had an original print from the Edo period of “the great wave” by Hokusai, you would be unbelievably rich.
What is interesting to note, Hokusai traveled all over Japan making art. He sent his drawings to his publisher in Tokyo, who then had specialist wood carvers cut the blocks for the prints. Other specialist printed the blocks. Hokusai would offer color suggestions which were at times overridden by the publisher who took license with the coloring to take advantage of color preferences in the market.
Now through all this, Hokusai never touched, nor even in most cases, never saw the prints, yet, they are considered to be his and are extremely valuable.
What I take away from Hokusai is his art was Flat, Stylized and design conscious.
Another note; Hokusai was one of the greatest artists of all time, yet he never made an oil painting. In fact, he probably never even saw an oil painting. All his artwork was wood block prints.
Hokusai self-portrait
Hokusai wrote at the age of seventy-five,
"From the age of six I had a penchant for copying the form of things, and from about fifty, my pictures were frequently published; but until the age of seventy, nothing that I drew was worth of notice. At seventy-three years, I was somewhat able to fathom the growth of plants and trees, and the structure of birds, animals, insects and fish. Thus when I reach eighty years, I hope to have made increasing progress, and at ninety to see further into the underlying principles of things, so that at one hundred years I will have achieved a divine state in my art, and at one hundred and ten, every dot and every line will be as though alive. Those of you who live long enough, bear witness that these words of mine prove not false."
AJ: I read that you studied zen for years.
Can you tell me something about it?
BOB KESSEL: There are hundreds of books about zen.
They all start with a preface saying, you cannot explain zen with words. Now here are ten thousand words about zen.
I can best explain zen to you with this joke:
Question: How many zen priests does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Answer: Two. One to screw it in, and one not to.
Another joke:
The Dalai Lama goes up to a hotdog vendor in New York City and says, “Make me one with everything.”
AJ: Moving on.. can you tell me your philosophy of life?
BOB KESSEL: I think it is important to know where you want to go in life and how you would define success.
For me, I would say, the only real success is to be able to spend your life in your own way.
I want to spend my life as an artist, so I made my life around that goal.
I will quote the great philosopher Yogi Berra,”You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going because you might not get there.”
AJ: Can you tell us about your art career?
BOB KESSEL: I remember my art teacher at university on my first day telling the class that if you want to be a success, you should become an astronaut instead of an artist. Statistically you have a better chance of going to the moon than becoming a successful artist.
If by “successful” you mean make a living at it, yes it’s tough.
As an example of just how hard it is to sell art, I will tell you that Vincent Van Gogh had his paintings shown in a Paris gallery his brother Theo owned. His brother was never able to sell one picture. There were some other unknown artist’s paintings displayed in the gallery as well which were also left unsold. Perhaps you’ve heard of them? The artists were Monet and Renoir.
Just imagine, a gallery filled with Van Goghs, Monets and Renoirs (today valued in the billions) and not a one sold. That is a tough market! Being good doesn’t translate necessarily to financial success.
But, those artists persevered and continued to make art in spite of financial hardships. And I would say that the world is a better place because of it.
Is the world better off with my artworks in it? That is for you to decide.
AJ: Any advise for other artists?
BOB KESSEL: I am not much on advice, but since I am in a joke telling mood, I will tell you what the comedian Steven Wright said, “I just wrote a children’s book…. Not intentionally.”
AJ: I take it you mean, don’t be unintentionally naive.
BOB KESSEL: Not unless you are Grandma Moses.
If you want to be an artist (or writer) I would quote Charles Bukowski, “Don’t do it.”
Portrait of Charles Bukowski (Sadder Budweiser) by Bob Kessel
Read his poem below-
so you want to be a writer?
By Charles Bukowski
if it doesn't come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don't do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don't do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or hunched over your
typewriter
searching for words,
don't do it.
if you're doing it for money or
fame,
don't do it.
if you're doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don't do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don't do it.
if it's hard work just thinking about doing it,
don't do it.
if you're trying to write like somebody
else,
forget about it.
if you have to wait for it to roar out of
you,
then wait patiently.
if it never does roar out of you,
do something else.
if you first have to read it to your wife
or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
or your parents or to anybody at all,
you're not ready.
don't be like so many writers,
don't be like so many thousands of
people who call themselves writers,
don't be dull and boring and
pretentious, don't be consumed with self-
love.
the libraries of the world have
yawned themselves to
sleep
over your kind.
don't add to that.
don't do it.
unless it comes out of
your soul like a rocket,
unless being still would
drive you to madness or
suicide or murder,
don't do it.
unless the sun inside you is
burning your gut,
don't do it.
when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.
there is no other way.
and there never was.
AJ: Thanks to Bob Kessel for a thought provoking interview. I will definitely be visiting his studio once it is safe. He said that he loves visitors and will resume visitations by any art fans once it is safe to do so.