He shared the philosophy that has kept him at the top of his field for almost 50 years, saying, "I always refer to the three H's. To be good at anything in life, you have to have the 'hands'--the skill to accomplish something; the 'heart'--a passion for what you do; and the 'head'--the mind-set to understand why you are doing it in the first place."

"Heart" is a huge part of the "Künstler way" of doing things, as he is actively involved in many worthwhile charities and organizations. In addition to allowing nonprofit groups such as the Civil War Preservation Trust to raffle off his prints for fundraising purposes, he also dedicates a portion of his philanthropy to non-Civil War-related groups. This includes the Oyster Bay Boys & Girls Club and the Timber Ridge School for Boys in Winchester. Each year, for more than a decade, Künstler's has designed a special commemorative Christmas ornament, with the proceeds from sales going directly to the school.

Künstler also expressed a deep gratitude for his staff, which includes his daughter, Jane. "They are the ones," he said, "that are responsible for ushering me into the 21st century, whether I like it or not." Künstler has shamelessly confessed to having zero knowledge of computers, yet his studio has one of the most dynamic and popular Websites of any modern painter today. His Internet address averages over several million hits per month and has enabled people to purchase his work from anywhere in the world.

"I don't use it," he said, "but I am so glad that people can get to my work without having to drive long distances to a gallery."

Surprisingly, Künstler also maintains a very limited sense of what his contemporaries are doing. With the exception of seeing another painter's work when it appears alongside his on the tearsheet samples that are supplied by Civil War magazines that carry his advertisements, he doesn't really follow anyone else's career.

"I'm so busy doing my own work," he said, "that I don't allow myself to become distracted by other people's stuff." He added, "There are a lot of very talented artists out there."

Künstler was asked if he had a favorite painting. His answer may provide the reason why he still is able to create such brilliant compositions after so many years in the business.