Artist Profile and much, much more!!

Story: Jaymes Cutsinger, Photos: provided

An Artist Profile - Charles Kiesel It is amazing how the world seems to change, time and seasons change, but people can be a different story; once they’ve found their love, they seem to stick with it throughout their lives. That’s just what I’m going to talk about today, a man that found his love for the arts in photography at an early age. The interesting thing about Charles Kiesel is that he can talk about the science behind photography with as much ease as he can discuss lighting, color balance, and focus; the art of photography. But who is Charles Kiesel, the man behind these photographs? The simple answer is he’s a teacher. The better answer is he is a person that spent 39 years educating elementary, junior high, and college level students in science, social studies, and history. He was even a tennis coach, another love of his, for Oakland City University. When I was first offered the opportunity to write this article, I was torn on just what approach to take. Should I write about Mr. Kiesel as the photographer or teacher? As a photographer, I’m not very familiar with his work. He, however, can speak at length about his collection of cameras. He has a nice Nikon and Sony, but he likes the Sony 50 X best.

He has even worked as a professional photographer for the South Gibson Star Times for three years. As a teacher, he inspired students to reach farther than most people thought they could go. I would know, I was one of those students. I still remember the day, the first day actually, of seventh grade. At eight am sharp I remember filing into Mr. Kiesel’s classroom, along the back wall stood three Commodore 64 computers! Once I got a taste for what computers could do from Mr. Kiesel, I was inspired. So much in fact, that I made a career in the Information Technology industry for many years. Thank you again Mr. Kiesel for your inspiration and instilling in me a love of learning that has benefited me a lifetime. If college taught me how to learn, Mr. Kiesel taught me a love of learning. As for his passion for photography, that too has taken him far and he continues to use his art (and his educator spirit) by offering various presentations at local libraries and museums. His programs have been presented throughout southwest Indiana including the Evansville Museum, Dubois County Museum, the Willard Library, the Vanderburgh A hummingbird feeding.

Charlie Kiesel during his presentation.

A close up of a hummingbird

County Central Library in Evansville, and the Knox County Public Library, to mention a few. He and his wife also presented a program to the members of the Fall River, Massachusetts Historical Society on their invitation. That presentation was covered by the local educational TV station in Fall River, Massachusetts. He has even been interviewed about one of his presentations on a local TV station, WTVW. Between photography and his presentations, Mr. Kiesel also volunteers at our public library, some 30 hours a month. In fact, I would suggest that you reach out to the Princeton Public Library with regard to his presentation schedule. During August for example, I believe he did a series on Monarch butterflies. If you are at the library, stop by the computer lab (yes, computers are still a love of his, too), and say hello to Mr. Kiesel. A teacher who has made art out of

education. For more information on Charlie Kiesel’s presentations and for his Chats with Charlie - Electronic Tour of Southern Indiana coming up in September, contact the Princeton Public Library. Jug Rock near Shoals, Indiana, will be in the Southern Indiana Electronic Tour Electronic Tour of Southern Indiana with Charlie Sept. 14th - 10 a.m. Sept. 22nd - 2 p.m. Sept. 30th - 6 p.m. At the Princeton Public Library

A close up photo of a monarch butterfly