About the Artist
Bassel spent the early part of his career working in commercial illustration. Following graduation from Texas Tech University in Lubbock with a degree in advertising, he worked for Chance Vought Aircraft. A year later he accepted a job with an advertising firm in Dallas. After military service during the Korean War era, Bassel eventually settled in El Paso where he has lived for four decades.
Bassel grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. Nearby were the famous 101 Ranch, two Indian Reservations and rodeos which were major influences on his love for Western subject matter.