For my original paintings, I begin by creating unique backgrounds. I use a hot iron to melt wax onto Pellon (a strong non-woven fabric often used for underfacing when hemming) and then I add acrylic paint, which adheres to the areas not treated with the wax. It is a batik-like process. I might spend six months making backgrounds and only use a few of them. But for me, the fun is trying new techniques and experimenting with unusual materials, such as rope or other objects from the hardware store.

Then I add special details - perhaps a tree or some wildflowers. Sometimes I add a ladybug or two, a cardinal or a spider's web...or waterfalls. Unlike someone who can visualize a complete painting by looking at a blank canvas, for me, I look to my finished background for inspiration. - RL

Robert Laessig was born in New Jersey in 1913. He attended the Textile Design School of Plauen in Germany for five years and specialized in the study and painting of flowers. He was a textile designer until World War II when he served with the 13th Air Force Historical Section as a combat artist. Later, he studied at Art Students' League in New York City. An opportunity to become an art consultant brought Laessig to Cleveland where he lived for decades.

Laessig has won prizes at the Butler International Art Show in Youngstown OH and also the annual May Show held at the Akron Art Institute. He was presented a distinctive award for the best watercolor in a show and an abstract painting was purchased for the Cleveland Museum of Art at the time of the 1959 Cleveland May Show. He has exhibited at the American Embassy in Norway, designed the official White House Christmas Cards for five years during the Johnson Administration, won the Ohio Watercolor Society Gold Medal and won the Winsor & Newton Award. He also earned the top award in the National Academy of Design Exhibition, National Academy Galleries, New York City.

Gallery One continues to be a major source for his original paintings. In addition, Gallery One worked with Bob to publish and distribute his limited edition prints and fine art posters.