Rebecca Clayman

3/1/16

David T. Kessler
David T. Kessler is a renowned artist who creates extraordinary waterscape paintings
by utilizing polished and abraded aluminum to give the viewer the illusion of depth and space.
His technique shifts the viewers perception of the painting to accommodate the light being
reflected off of the metal surface, which is then absorbed into the painted areas. This
reinforces the perplexity of the painting by making it look more realistic and holographic.
David T. Kessler was born in Park Ridge, New Jersey on September 5, 1950. At the
age of two, David and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he eventually attended
Arizona State University. When David graduated in 1972, he received the award for the
Outstanding Graduate in Studio Art. Later, David was accepted into The San Francisco Art
Institute, where he earned his M.F.A in 1975. In the present day, David currently lives and
works in Arizona with his family. His paintings have been featured both internationally and in
the U.S in places such as Chicago, Miami, Scottsdale, Tokyo, Strasbourg, New York, and Los
Angeles. Collections of Davids paintings also have permanent places in numerous museums,
such as The Santa Barbara Museum, The Scottsdale Center for the Arts, The Museum of
Rhode Island School of Design, The Barrington Art Center, Arizona State University Art
Museum, and many others.
David T. Kesslers work revolves around the concept of having the qualities of
refracted light interact with a painting. His inspirations for these waterscape paintings come
from nature and from the classical landscape. He uses various wire brushes, a large tool
consisting of a wooden handle with many steel wire bristles, and paint that is airbrushed in
transparent layers. This process vivifies what David is producing by enhancing it in a way that
manipulates what is being perceived by the viewer. David also gives the appearance of

Rebecca Clayman
3/1/16
movement due to using water surfaces as imagery; this makes his paintings even more
phenomenal because they look like photographs. Davids goal in creating a unique form of
artistry is to form something that is postmodern, or after modern.
I relate to David T. Kessler since we are both determined to create a piece of art that
is different than what other people are constructing because we both have our own sense of
style. The art that David creates is extremely inspiring and distinct. When I make art, I try to
individualize the piece by making it speak for itself in a way that people will remember.
Whether that is in a positive or negative way, I want my art to leave a mark on whoever sees
it. After studying what David T. Kessler made, I know that he wants to do the exact same thing
that I attempt to do. I always put my heart into everything I produce no matter what.
Therefore, David T. Kessler, who is exemplary at what he does, must put every inch of himself
into every single painting. David T. Kessler and I both try to defy what the norm of making art
is by following what we each believe in to create something that is spectacular in its own
special way.
In my opinion, David T. Kesslers work is absolutely stunning and everyone should be
given the chance to see it. The way David utilizes his materials to create a painting that looks
so real deserves to be praised. I believe that his work is so beautiful and awe inspiring due to
the fact that David can capture the ripples in the water, or even where the light catches the
leaves on a tree. The best part about his paintings is that it is unclear whether it is a
photograph or a painting. In my experience, I was genuinely surprised when I found out that
he was able to create something so realistic. David T. Kesslers precision, his expertise as to
how he creates his artwork and all the hard work that he puts in are what I love the most
about it. In the end, his paintings look easy and carefree.

Rebecca Clayman
3/1/16
David T. Kesslers technique and approach to making his art are so special and
different from what other artists do. David T. Kessler is one of the greatest artists, in my
opinion, due to the fact that he uses abnormal materials together and can make them do
something that is so special and realistic. This is a skill which is so rarely achieved by many
artists, especially some of the more commonly known ones today. David T. Kesslers artwork
deceives the eye in numerous aspects because he takes risks and isn't afraid to create
something that is so lifelike and visually astounding.