Robert Kinsell earned an MFA in painting from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and as an undergraduate at DePauw University he worked as a studio assistant to Philip Pearlstein in New York City. Kinsell was an Art Director in advertising at various agencies in Chicago and worked in this capacity for Harley-Davidson, Mr. Clean, Dial soap, Bell and Howell, and Head tennis equipment. He served as Professor of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX from 1988 to 2013, when he retired. He was a part of the Hunting Prize Finalists Exhibition in Houston in 2016, the Texas National group exhibition in Nacogdoches, TX, and his work can be found in numerous corporate collections including United Airlines, Paris, France; Citizens Fidelity Bank, Louisville, KY; and Harrison-Brewster Insurance Co. Inc., Chicago, IL. Kinsell’s work is also included in numerous private collections. He was a seasonal resident of the Davis Mountains in Fort Davis, TX since 2003 and a full time resident since 2013. His paintings are represented by the Hooks-Epstein Galleries in Houston, TX. ”Illusion is the first of all pleasures” – Oscar Wilde I paint because I believe in magic. No, not supernatural, otherworldly, unicorn-and-fairies magic… but Three Card Monte, sleight-of-hand, fool-the-eye, con-game magic. I take to heart that the root of ”Art” is also the root of ”Artificial.”