Mason Akers | Painter
I started painting when I was 15 and knew right away that this was my vocation. I am largely self-taught, although I attended Kansas University (BFA) and Cornell (MFA) for formal art education. After Cornell I stayed in New York for a decade working for Tom Otterness, Takashi Murakami and Bjarne Melgaard. Working in a major studio, even a contemporary one, is exhausting and exhilarating and this decade was well spent developing and honing my techniques.
This formative experience defined me as a painter rather than an artist. The difference is utterly central to my work because this is my job which requires hard work and an unrelenting dedication to technique and quality. Unlike an artist, my inspiration is the old masters whose example I follow by using their achievements and approach as a daily guide. Like them, my job as a painter is to serve my patron and the subjects in my portraits by applying everything I have learned from the study and practice of replicating old masters.
I now live and work from my home in Colorado in a far more peaceful studio accompanied by my two cats who are so fascinated by work that they can watch it all day. When not painting, I find my weekly newsletter greatly rewarding as I share my thoughts in the hope of providing historical context for the legacy of the old masters and the value they still offer us today.
My Work
Custom Portraits
When I accept a commission for a custom portrait you become my patron and I become your painter. My job is to capture your essence through the unique and personal experience of portraiture, creating a legacy for future generations.
Old Master Replicas
I paint replicas of Old Masters as an apprentice to the great tradition of portraiture. The act of painting is a conversation in the pursuit of mastery that reminds me of their capability, work ethic, entrepreneurship and technical brilliance, so that I can apply these lessons in the service of my patrons.
Ready to Start?
Schedule A Consultation
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Mason that carries absolutely no commitment to discuss the process, your aspirations, the time frame and the cost.
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