Remembering Robert Laessig

Upon graduating from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh at age 19, I entered the work force as a designer at American Greetings in Cleveland, Ohio. At the time American Greetings was a hotbed of creative talent, comprised of outstanding painters such as Fred Leach, Maxine Masterfield and Al Chiara; humorist Tom Wilson, creator of “Ziggy”; writer George Burditt; and numerous others. The atmosphere was electric and fostered creativity. One of the most colorful and dynamic personalities there was Robert Laessig. Considered the dean of the creative department, Mr. Laessig was my first art director as well as a wise mentor in those early years of my career. His tenacity and enthusiasm were contagious, and his talent as an artist and painter unparalleled. His critiques and direction were invaluable to my development as an artist.

Bob Laessig was an innovator and perfectionist. His mastery of floral art is second to none. His art was his life, and he lived it to the fullest. Upon leaving American Greetings and the commercial art field, he became a fine artist extraordinaire, enjoying super success and recognition. Laessig won prizes at the Akron Art Institute and the Butler International Art Show in Youngstown, Ohio. He was presented a distinctive award for the best watercolor in a show, and an abstract painting of his was purchased for the Cleveland Museum of Art. His work hanging in no less than four museums, he also 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. Additionally, he earned the top award in the National Academy of Design Exhibition at the National Academy Galleries in New York City. The accolades go on.

In his later years Bob enjoyed traveling the world and stated in his biography, “My love of traveling also contributed to my keen observation of nature as a whole, including color, layout, shapes and forms and at times interesting subject matter.” Mr. Laessig passed away on November 16, 2010 at age 97.

One of my fondest memories of Bob Laessig involves an art exhibit sponsored by and for the artists of American Greetings, an annual ritual at that time. Awards were given for two separate categories: realistic, representational art and contemporary/abstract works. Bob was always expected to win first prize in the realistic category and usually did. He also was on the receiving end of good-natured ribbing about his traditionalism by the contemporary artists. That was the case until one year when awards were announced. Bob won first place in the realistic/representational range as expected. When first place was announced for contemporary/abstract works, a new name emerged and no one stepped forward - until Bob Laessig stood up to accept first place in the contemporary category as well. He had entered an abstract piece under an alias. He won the best award in both ranges and had the last laugh on us all.

Laessig using the help of a heavy grass roller on a long piece of cloth covered with paint and stretched out in the yard. Later that cloth was cut into pieces, waxed and worked on until suitable as backgrounds for his paintings. He developed the technique of using Pellon and wax. A trip to India broadened his knowledge of batik, the art of waxing.