Oil painter Sherry Mason captures nature’s majesty in her collection of sweeping landscapes. View more from this artist by visiting her website.
I have always been inspired by how light affects the landscape, water, and sky. As a young adult, I spent quite a lot of time painting on the banks of the Green River where we once owned a 200-acre dairy farm in Kentucky.
I didn’t start my career as a professional artist back then. My career choice was based entirely upon the urging of my father to obtain a pharmacy degree. I could have done anything, but I decided on the “safe and secure” job. My art remained a hobby for years with a completed painting from time to time. Unfortunately, I never considered doing anything more with it.
It wasn’t until I retired from pharmacy that I began painting more often. My skills quickly improved to the point that I began entering competitions. I tied for first place in my first juried competition and that was enough to motivate me to take my hobby more seriously.
In late 2018, I participated in a regional paint out and saw how significantly plein air impacted my work. It made it much better! It was very hard for me to catch the light, and I hated painting that fast in those conditions. But I knew there was invaluable information to gain, and I was determined to find a way to do it! Today, I love it and I participate in four to five regional paint outs every year.
I feel plein air painting has tremendously shortened the learning curve for me to go to the next level. Painting on location gives me extra references to use that translates to better work! My goals and aspirations are to continue my art journey as an eternal student, never giving way to the feeling of mastery, for that would inevitably fall to complacency.
Every painting has its unique challenges. Each is painted by a newer version and expression of myself so that my work evolves. Every next painting has an element of something new I am learning. I guess that is why I will always feel that I could have done more.
I have already won several awards, including an Honorable Mention in the April 2023 International Plein Air Salon, Animals and Birds Category. I’ve been juried into prestigious organizations such as the Oil Painters of America, Elected Artist member of the American Artists Professional League, American Women Painters, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society and the American Impressionist Society.
I’m excited about my art journey. I receive such wonderful feedback and support from collectors who encourage me to continue to paint in my own way.
“I must honestly say nothing really spoke to me or captivated me the way your work did… Until I saw your work in the Renaissance Center, I didn’t really think scenery by itself could be captivating.” – D.C., Tennessee
“Don’t stop painting the way you do, nobody else paints it like that.” – S.K., North Carolina
My art is different, but isn’t it supposed to be?
Sherry Mason invites you to follow on Facebook and Instagram.
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