artisan direct ~ Sal Asaro

“The question I’m most asked is ‘When did you first begin to draw and paint?’. My answer always takes me back to kindergarten in 1938 just as lovely Miss Olson came over to my desk to check out my artwork, and remarked that it was “very good”. Even then, already the cynic, I said to myself—sure, that’s what she tells all the kids. But she surprised me by asking me to go over and help a fellow student Raymond. This was something I couldn’t get around, I guess she really did see something there and I decided I had better listen to her.”

At 75, Sal Asaro vigorously continues to paint. He has worked as a fine and commercial artist since his graduation from Pratt Institute in 1955. After his retirement from commercial art in 1991 his time has been solely devoted to fine arts painting in oils.

Sal does much of his work in pleine air. The locations he is most drawn to are rural New Jersey and Pennsylvania, New Orleans, Italy, Sicily and Maine.

For pleine air painting—Deer Isle, Maine on the Penobscot Bay, has all that one could wish for—rocky shores, high cliffs, acres of evergreen woods, and grass up to the water’s edge. From wherever you stand there is a 360 degree vista of sea, islands or sunsets to capture. While on Deer Isle, Sal is inspired to keep a 7-day work week regimen - using the sunrise as his wake-up call. Deer Isle is truly one of nature’s greatest gifts.

When not painting on location, Sal continues to produce his figurative art and portraiture in his studio in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
  • Art Times Magazine, NYC, Annual Show
  • Clinton Mill Annual Show - judged and juried by George Seigal
  • Deer Isle Gallery, Maine, Summer Show, since 1991
  • Nova Annual Show, Doylestown, 2004, 2005
  • Philadelphia Sketch Club, 2003
  • Imaculata Annual Show, 2002, 2003
  • Chestnut Hill Business ASC, Annual Show, 1996, 1998
  • Phillips Mill Annual Juried Show, 1995-1997
  • Heritage Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 1994
  • “Ebony & Ivory”, Hopewell, NJ, One Man Show, 1992
  • Jane Anthony Gallery, State Street, Newtown, PA
  • Mercer County Community Annual Faculty Show
  • Princeton Art Association Annual Show
  • Royale Gallery, New Orleans, LA
  • Woodmere Museum, Annual Member Show
  • Michelyn Galleries, Doylestown and New Hope, PA
    Major Commissioned Works
  • Royale Gallery, New Orleans—a series of paintings of street hustlers, musicians and a French Quarter background, 1990—1991
  • Further Mo’—Broadway Show, numerous pieces of jazz performers and musicians, 1990/91, 2003, by permission of author, Vernel Bagneris
  • The Dream—Winston Churchill in his painting studio, circa 1947, painted for the Churchville Society, London, England, 1986. On permanent display at Blenheim Castle, Oxford, England, home of the Duke of Marlboro
  • The Wiz—Broadway show, numerous fantasy pieces of performers, by permission of Ken Harper, producer, 1978
  • Space Paintings, Geostar Corporation, Washington, DC, two murals for entrance lobby in acrylic on canvas, 1987
  • 40 Years of the U.S. Air Force, presented to the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, and placed in permanent collection at the Pentagon, 1988
  • The Berlin Air Lift, presented to the City of Berlin, Germany, Mayor’s Chambers, 1989—also used for cover of book, The Berlin Candy Bomber by Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, Ret.
  • Georges Head Island—Henry Cabot Lodge, II, 2003
  • Brendan Byrne, Former Governor, State of New Jersey, portrait for his collection, 1985
  • Maine Seascape—Julia Child, 2001
  • Portrait in Red, oil on canvas, Mrs. Gloria Horner, Littleton, CO, 2004
  • Cindy the Dog, Brady & Sinclair, Bensalem, PA, 1995
  • Three Jazz Paintings, R. Flagler, Esq., Trevose, PA, 1994
  • First Moon Landing, Houston Space Center, Houston, TX
Artisan Direct, a division of the Artisan Gallery. 82 Callingham Road, Pittsford, NY 14534. Director, Jay Halperyn. Telephone 585-586-3535, Fax 585-586-8555, e-mail: artisan dash direct at the dash artisan dash gallery dot com