Michael Bassis

Background

About Michael Bassis

For more than 40 years I enjoyed a rewarding career in higher education, moving from professor, to dean, to college president. Always an art lover, I found time to visit art galleries and museums all over the world. But I carved out no time for making art. Until 3 years ago, the last piece of art I made was more than 50 years ago in a studio art course in college. But whenever anyone asked what I planned to do in retirement, I always thought to myself, and sometimes admitted out loud, that I would spend my time making art. It didn't go so well at first. I had extremely high standards for what I considered to be art worth making, yet my skills for how to make art that came close to meeting my standards were, at best, rusty. I was so disappointed in myself that I soon abandoned my plans. After a year or two I tried again and achieved enough of a breakthrough that I am no longer embarrassed by what I am able to produce. I hope that didn't happen because I lowered my standards. I have been working in oil and acrylics, painting mostly landscapes, cityscapes and sailboats at sea. Have painted only three portraits (of grandchildren of course). I can see gradual improvement but it's clear that I have much to learn. As you can see from my portfolio my sensibilities run toward impressionistic art.