Hugh Masterson
Broomfield, Colorado
Artist Hugh Masterson paints landscapes, still lifes, and figurative scenes in an impressionist style. In his work, he seeks to satisfy the human yearning for beauty, believing that art should convey it and lift the spirit. "I always pray before I paint and ask God to bless what I am doing and to use it to lift other people's hearts," says Hugh. He began drawing in early childhood and discovered a passion for color at fourteen. Although accepted into art college in Dublin, he chose to pursue theoretical physics, where his fascination with light continued to grow. Hugh later returned to painting, refining his approach through study, mentorship, and years of practice. He works in a converted garage studio with a skylight in Broomfield, Colorado, filled with painting props and a still-life shadow box. Outside the studio, he balances his life as a husband, father, grandfather, optical engineer, and Christian missionary, bringing the same dedication and care to all his pursuits.
Artist Statement
My work encompasses landscapes, still lifes, and figurative scenes in the impressionist realist tradition. I paint mainly in oils for their adaptability and purity of color, which brings me the greatest joy and energy to transfer to the canvas. I approach each work as an artistic problem to be solved, simplifying forms to convey the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface. I paint what I perceive with my eye—the light on surfaces and planes, and how these elements interact—rather than just a collection of separate objects. Lines and edges play an important role in my compositions, often suggesting movement, while what is omitted can be as meaningful as what is included. Each brushstroke is intentional, combining into a coherent expression of the scene before me. Light shining in darkness has always been central to who I am and how God made me, and painting offers a joyful way to communicate this. I believe we all yearn for beauty, and at its heart, art should convey that beauty and uplift the hearts of others. Bringing beauty and goodness into the lives of others through my work makes it all worthwhile.
Artist Background
Trinity College Dublin
Bachelor of Science, 1985
Trinity College Dublin
Doctor of Philosophy, 1995
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