We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mason Hurlbut a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Mason thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

That is a very good question! My art has evolved through a lot of research and copious amounts of trial and error. I worked as a welding and metal fabrication apprentice right after graduating high school, which is where I learned most of my metal working knowledge. I’ve never been formally trained as a painter. Most of what I know regarding painting has come from researching different types of art, tools used in painting, and experimenting with new information to form my own processes. I use many types of paint to add color and depth to my work allowing me to incorporate many styles, patterns, and textures into each piece, giving them all a unique look and feel. Knowing what I do now, I think I would’ve allowed myself to expand to other forms of painting a little sooner. Once I finally opened myself up to different types of art, things really started to “click” for me. It was as if a spark went off and ideas just started flowing! As cliche as it sounds, patience has been the most important skill that I’ve learned. Patience not only with myself, but with each piece I create. I’ve recently started working on more commission work and increasing the size of the pieces I make. Having the patience to let each piece develop at its own pace has been a huge area of growth for me. A final area growth is understanding the science behind what I make. It has taken time to learn how different chemicals react with aluminum and different types of paints.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

My history in metal working started in high school when I took my first welding class. During that time, I realized very quickly that working with metal was something I enjoyed. As a Junior in High School, I started an apprenticeship where I worked as a sheet metal welder, a machinist, ran press brakes and many other types of manufacturing equipment while earning my degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Once I earned my Journeyman’s Certificate in welding and fabrication, I went on a trip to Las Vegas, where I found an art gallery owned by someone making pieces manipulating the reflectivity of aluminum. I quickly became obsessed with this style of art and jumped right in with creating my own pieces. I started with very basic concepts, but over the last few years, my style has evolved to incorporate multiple elements. My pieces are part sculpture and part painting. I take a blank sheet of aluminum and after etching and adding paint, the result is a piece that moves with the viewer as they walk in front of it. The different types of paint I use highlight different areas of interest within the etched design. My pieces are not traditional paintings, but they are also not typical sculptures. They combine elements of both, which keeps the possibilities for growth and evolution endless. I’m most proud in the variety of work in my portfolio and that each piece looks completely different from the last. Exploring different ideas and concepts has been instrumental in my growth. One thing I’d like future followers and clients to know about me is I’m always trying to expand my style and am always willing to work out of my comfort zone.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story I’m particularly proud of that illustrates my resilience is when I had to change the style of work I was making in a very short amount of time.

When I first started down my path as an artist, my work required a space that I could do some metal work in, as well as use an airbrush for painting. At the time I was working out of my parent’s garage, which they were gracious enough to let me to
use. I was able to use that space for about a year and half before they decided to move at the beginning of 2021 and I had to come up with a way to create art with less room and equipment. I also had a couple festivals later that year and needed quite a bit of time to prepare for them. I came up with a plan to pivot to a different style of painting within a period of 8 months. I spent about 3 weeks planning out how many pieces I thought I would need between the two festivals, ordering the aluminum, and etching all the designs I was going to work with for the next 8 months. I ended up with about 35 pieces etched and some painted with background colors, all of which I was unsure how to finish. For the next few months, I started painting on canvas in my apartment, trying to come up with new ideas, textures, and experimenting with new materials. It was during this time that I feel I really came into my own as an artist. Forcing myself to branch out, change styles, and paint in a more traditional sense really helped me evolve as it opened new doors for my art. After 3-4 months, I was ready to
start working on the pieces I had stored. I had the time I needed to think about where I wanted each piece to go and was able to get 30 of the pieces ready for the festivals. This was a very stressful time, as I was under a lot of pressure. However, the transformation that took place during this, continues to influence my work, today. I’m now in a more functional environment and can incorporate both the style I started with and the newer style, creating endless opportunities.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me the most rewarding aspects of being an artist are realizing my ideas, working with others to realize their ideas, and connecting to people. During my time as a creative, I’ve been able to brainstorm and blend different concepts together. I’m able to pick and choose different styles, textures, types of paint, and even the depth of the piece I’m working on. Having so many options and ideas can be overwhelming sometimes, so when I finally get to an idea and bring it into the physical world, it feels like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. This is also true regarding commission work. I recently have put more emphasis on commissions, as working with clients to create something specific to them allows me to grow artistically and as a person. Being able to communicate clearly with clients and take their feedback and ideas is essential. But the working relationship that is formed is very fulfilling and helps me in my creative process. I’m not just performing a job, I’m collaborating with them, and we become a “team”. They are helping to support a small business while also being involved with the process of creating something they will have for years to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.masonhurlbutart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masonhurlbutart/

Image Credits
Nicholas Hurlbut