A few years ago, Robert Bassian, who was then 86 years old, was doodling with some felt markers and had several drawings lying across the kitchen table when his wife walked by. As a former art major, she took notice of his work and encouraged him to buy some acrylic paints and drawing paper. Six months later, Robert moved on to oil paints and hasn’t looked back since.
Without any formal training, Robert has continued to grow his body of work with a natural eye towards unexpected color combinations. He recently began experimenting with vinyl, which he cuts by hand and places into complex arrangements onto large, square, 48” artboards.
Of his painting process, Robert says his manic depression has influenced his art making. His process is largely subconscious and it is not until he is sixty or seventy percent done that he can recognize the direction of the piece and work towards finishing it.
After less than four years of painting, Robert has now created 150 pieces of art in his collection.