Charles Kassler Jr. was a painter, printmaker, and lithographer. He lost a hand during a high school chemistry experiment. He studied art and architecture at Princeton University and the Chicago Art Institute. From 1925 to 1932 Kassler continued his studies while living at various times in New Mexico, Europe, and North Africa. While in France he apprenticed himself to a well-known fresco painter. He was active in Denver before moving to Los Angeles in 1933. He painted murals for the Federal Art Project and was an instructor at the Chouinard Art School (1933-34) and School of Design in Pasadena (1939).
