Emily Mason

“Intuitively influenced by nature, I want to use the medium as directly as possible. Using paint and its inherent qualities—brilliance, transparency, opacity, liquidity, weight, warmth, and coolness—enables me to get my mind out of the way. These qualities guide me in a process of discovery which will determine the climate of the picture and define spatial relationships. While this approach results in certain kinds of places, I cannot name them but know instinctively when they appear. Magic—that’s something I’m trying to achieve.”

Mason’s innovative style enabled her to modify and personalize printmaking methods while working alongside five master printers, each with distinctly different means of image making. She approached printmaking with the mind and spirit of a painter, creating a large and extraordinary body of monoprints, monotypes and solarplate prints, which she referred to as “print paintings.” She rarely produced editions, instead, she pursued “unique states” which allowed her a degree of spontaneity and individuality with each image. For the past quarter century Mason worked primarily with two printers, Janis Stemmermann and Lisa Mackie, producing some of her most visually stimulating work.

Emily, 87, died at her home in West Brattleboro, Vermont on December 10th, 2019 surrounded by her family and friends including Wolf Kahn, her husband of 62 years. She is dearly missed. Emily colored our world with enthusiasm and grace.