Painter, printmaker, muralist and illustrator who was for many years a professional theatre director, born in London. He began work on the Ilford Recorder, 1926–8; was in hairdressing, 1928–30; worked for Ilford Borough Council’s surveyor’s department, 1930–9; during World War II being in British Army Tanks Corps. From 1946 onwards Vaesen directed in repertory theatres, working in Britain and America, and began painting when he joined BBC Radio in 1963, studying with BBC Art Society, then at Central and Camden Institutes. He was elected a member of NS in 1984. Mixed exhibitions included RA, ROI, Colin Jellicoe Gallery in Manchester and Campbell & Franks. Had a solo show at Mercer College, New Jersey, in America, 1977; others including National Theatre, 1981 and 1983; Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 1984; and in 1986 British Council Gallery in Kolonaki, Athens, and in Thessaloniki, both in Greece.