Featured Artist David Mason

Western artist David Mason shares a contemporary and minimalist portfolio that incorporates storytelling. See more by visiting his website.

 

 

Art and photography are my background. I grew up in an artistic family, and the creative environment helped point me in a creative direction. Drawing and creative projects started at an early age for me.

 

 

Photography was always my thing. Black and white photography started it, and I ended up studying photography in school. Ansel Adams was a huge influence on me. His dramatic contrast and rich detail really made sense. When I finished high school I had the opportunity to work as an intern at Ansel Adams’ studio and meet him. The things I learned were not just about photography, but about images.

 

 

These are some of my favorite tools to use. I fall back on them and constantly test the approach to each piece. To have a memory set that helps so much with the direction of my future pieces is something that I feel very lucky to have. The experience gives so much back to me.

 

 

I have always drawn, and found it to be a rewarding experience. I’m self taught and always seem to find a way to expand how I use my materials and push the envelope. I’m definitely driven by details, aesthetics, color and contrast. Realism especially, but also a sense of minimalism.

 

 

Light and contrast are huge drivers for me, and they determine where each piece goes. I feel fortunate to have the time to explore my creative drive. It’s exciting to push myself through more complicated images and use of color.

 

 

As far as subject matter goes, I use California West as a descriptor. t gives mIe the bandwidth to go from floral and animals to western/cowboy lifestyle. Whether I’m tapping into the harmony of nature or telling a story using the details of my cowboy art, these are subjects I have fun working with.

 

 

I like the minimalism in the western pieces. By that I mean that I don’t need anything extra to tell the story. Creating drama with color and light is a goal of mine. I tell just enough of the story so each person who views it has their own story or memory that connects them.

 

 

Being self taught has given me a more unconventional approach to my work. I know how I want my work  to look and use a variety of medias to accomplish that. I like drawing because I can sit and work for long periods of time. Each piece takes hours to complete. In that way, I can really focus and give as much energy as I can to each piece. I work on one piece at a time, and am fortunate to be able to work every day in my studio space.

 

David Mason invites you to follow on Instagram.

 

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