We were lucky to catch up with Taylor Mason recently and have shared our conversation below.

Taylor, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I live in Oregon where lush greenery is plentiful, but sunshine during the winter months is not. Last year I was able to take a painting trip during the rainy season and visit Arizona. I had felt drawn to the desert for several years and wished to paint with a new color palette and take in scenic views of cacti and red rock. The pandemic delayed plans for a while, but when I saw an opportunity to travel to Arizona for a workshop by Plein Air Painters of America, I knew I was ready to go.

The trip was very impactful. Painting at the base of the Vermilion Cliffs was inspiring and is still propelling my current painting series. It was a dream to paint in the desert and learn from painters I admire. I made new friends, memories, and took over 1400 reference photos.

The night after returning home I began painting small studies. I’ve painted 17 small pieces from my reference material and am currently developing larger compositions. Each painting brings back the joy of being in the desert and sparks memories from my journey. I feel a sense of reverence when I travel to new locations and am grateful I was able to experience the awe of nature once again. Working on a large body of work is rewarding and I’m excited for this project’s continued development.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a landscape painter and designer living in Oregon. My passion for art began at a young age by studying and sketching from library books. I continued to foster my creativity by taking art classes in high school and college. After graduating from Oregon State University I attended my first plein air painting workshop where my love for painting outdoors began.

Plein air painting is the perfect combination of travel, creativity, and being in nature. What I love most about painting outdoors is how fully present I become. As I set up and begin mixing my palette the rest of the world fades away. My senses are fully engaged and all that matters is what’s happening right in front of me. Painting becomes instinctive as I adapt to the ever-changing light and weather, it’s both freeing and challenging.

Most of my paintings feature locations where I’ve traveled and captured hundreds of reference photos. I’d like to hop on a plane more often than I do, but working from my photo library is a way to relive the wonderful landscapes I’ve visited. I don’t always travel far for inspiration and have many parks and scenic locations within thirty minutes from my apartment. Even if it’s raining, I find ways to paint from life. Setting up impromptu still life scenes from interesting objects I’ve collected helps me stay sharp and encourages me to truly “see” what’s in front of me.

Oils are my favorite medium. I enjoy the way the paint glides across smooth surfaces, the shine, and how forgiving they are when I want to rework an area. Whether on location or in the studio, I begin each painting by creating multiple thumbnail sketches to work through compositions. While I crave the spontaneity of plein air painting, studio work allows for more time with each piece and I can work through multiple gouache and oil studies to help me better understand a scene’s form and color.

I’m most comfortable painting smaller, but have been developing larger work. I’m currently working on a panoramic scene from a recent trip to the Vermillion Cliffs in Arizona. Once I complete a painting I either save it as a study, submit it for a show or post it in my Etsy shop. I enjoy participating in plein air events and try to do a couple each year. They are a great way to meet other artists, enjoy the outdoors and push myself for a week. My goal is to create paintings that inspire and bring peace to others.

Creativity is both a personal passion and part of my professional life. I work full-time as a Senior Brand Manager and Animator and find that many of the same principles apply to the design and art world. Both have a strong focus on composition, an eye for detail, color harmony and both benefit from thoughtful planning.
I’m grateful to have painting in my life, it gives me a sense of peace and joy and challenges me to continue learning and evolving as an artist.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’m compelled to paint the beauty and interest I find in nature. Whether it’s the park near my house or a trip to an unfamiliar landscape, there is nothing quite like the joy and challenge I experience while painting outdoors. My goal is to continually grow as a painter and allow my art to evolve. I want my paintings to resonate with those that have a love for nature and hopefully share with them the same peace and enjoyment I experienced while creating them.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is being fully present. Time and worries blur into the background as I begin painting. There isn’t anything else that quite compares to making art. There is a familiarity in the process but each painting brings a new sense of discovery as I navigate new scenes, color palettes and subject matter.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits
Ryan Mason