Masonography

My name is Matt Mason and I am a visual artist that lives and works in Austin Texas. I received my BFA from the Ringling College of Art and Design and a Post-baccalaureate from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Masonography is the creative endeavor driven by an artist working in a number of different mediums. The work I make is the result of the compulsion to manifest the images that arise between my thoughts. Thoughts that have seeded themselves in my mind by observing my environment; a city that fosters the development of spirit and self, and a studio rich with depictions of eastern philosophy, skeletons, and toys. My bookshelves, full of image repositories on the dark paintings and etchings of Francisco Goya; Kris Kuksi's complex sculptures, religious art, world mythology, tattoo culture, art nouveau and 19th century medical illustration a. Often ornate, iconic, regal and sometimes grotesque, my work ranges from delicately penciled drawings of animals adorned in ornate transparent armor and bone, glowing acrylic paintings rife with contrast with illuminated subjects are fixed upon the surface, and digitally manipulated sketchbook drawings. I realize that as I grow as an artist that much of my work is informed by what comes out of my sketchbook, a moleskine full of ballpoint illustrations of sentient owls, nine tailed cats, unicorn's ghosts, and skulls. In the year to come, I plan on developing these concepts and characters into sculptures, screenprints and larger paintings. Art in general has always been a factor in my sanity, it has fueled my life and effected every major decision I have ever had to make. I believe that art has changed me for the better. If something can do that for me then it is my duty as an artist to inspire that same change in others.