If there was anything Daniel Kiessling wanted to talk about, it was art.

When he discussed it, which he frequently did, his mother Karen Kiessling said he was more interested in the substance behind and the intricacies of artistry.

Daniel had become enamored with creating and the subject, she said. Over the years, he made hundreds of illustrations for his own pleasure, which would often pile into a heap of canvas.

Sketching and painting was a daily affair, Karen said, but he preferred to keep his work private. The joy of creation was enough for him, she said.

“He (created) every day, lots of times, but didn’t care whether people saw it or not,” Karen said. “Just enjoying the beauty and putting it down was enough … He didn’t need anybody’s approval.”

The Bank Left Gallery will be featuring around 1,000 curated works in memory of Daniel. His art ranges from paintings of the Palouse to abstract pastels rich in complexity and color.

A free opening reception will be held at the Palouse gallery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Afterward, his illustrations can be viewed during regular hours 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays until July 27.

All of the pieces will be for sale. Half of the proceeds from art sales will be donated to the Community Action Center Food Bank in Pullman, where Daniel spent much of his time volunteering, and the other half will go to the gallery.

“Having a show of his art is just a nice way to say what a great life he lived and what talent he had,” Karen said. “The whole idea of doing this is letting people see his art.”

Daniel passed away suddenly in January at 53 years old. The Pullman native was born at a local hospital in 1970, and he received his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Washington State University, graduating summa cum laude in the early 2000s.

He is survived by his parents, Karen and Nick Kiessling, and older brother Mark Kiessling.

Karen said Daniel was known best for his good humor and generosity. She added he could always brighten anyone’s mood, and would always lend a helping hand to family and friends when needed.

When the weather warmed, Daniel was often found outside. She said he loved biking Moscow Mountain and riding down the Lewiston Hill, as well as hiking and camping at Priest Lake in Idaho, the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon and exploring the canyons of Central Utah.

Karen said much of his art was inspired by the outdoors, and he dedicated himself to capturing its beauty.

“He had a lot to work with, considering the fact that we live in the Palouse and it’s such a beautiful area,” she said. “Outside was where he wanted to be, he was very active and very vigorous.”

Although Daniel created many landscape portraits of the Palouse hills, Karen said each scene he made varied in character and vivid color.

He worked with all forms of media but preferred pastels, she said. He enjoyed experimenting with the vibrant hues the art form offered.

Karen said Daniel spent every second of his life doing what he loved. She added he was content with himself and focused on the things that were important to him, like helping others and creating.

“Art always mattered to him,” Karen said. “Every day of his life was a gift, and the gift was something he could spend doing art. … That’s what he really loved.”

Learn more about The Bank Left Gallery and Daniel Kiessling’s art show by visiting bankleftgallery.com.

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.