The visual changes of the natural world, with unending colors and values that exist in light and shadow over each season and over time, create variations of moods and emotions that always affect my mind. I struggle to observe these subtle colors, but also enhance the colors that are usually not noticed by untrained eyes. To share this beauty is the goal of my efforts. I have just begun to experience this in my own work and want to develop my ability to paint beyond what I simply observe from life. I want to show the exact feelings that I have while I’m on site.
I like to use oil as the medium for my work due to its depth and great versatility. I enjoy describing the information I notice in the shadows, and I’m also happy to paint various colors with different values on lighted parts of the world. I try to paint the sensations I felt at the site. I realize that nature always presents something beautiful that deserves painting.
Even the small part of grass, sand, and the tiny stream on the pathway are enough to enjoy painting them.
I may never be fully satisfied with the result of my work as I consider it’s impossible for anyone to describe the whole beauty of nature to the extent of its origin. The beauty of this world keeps me seeking satisfaction and bliss through painting. I will continue to embrace this struggle and live my life this way for the rest of my years.
BIOGRAPHY
Mason Mansung Kang was born and grown up in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). He obtained a BS Degree in Chemistry Education from Seoul National University, Korea, in 1975. Mason worked for petroleum/ oil & gas/ construction industries until he retired in 2012 after 35 years of service. Learning to paint has been his biggest dream since he was young.
As an amateur painter, he acquired six group exhibitions and three solo exhibitions, the first two in 2013, and the latest in 2020 in Korea. He was finally able to pursue his passion after retirement by studying at the Graduate School of the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA from Feb 2014 until he obtained MFA in Painting in Aug 2016.
He likes scenes of nature with harmonious light and shadows, especially in the sunny weather in California. Because of joining the fine art Study Abroad program to Florence, Italy in 2015, he also gained plenty of experience with plein air painting there as well. He has been listed as a Finalist in the Landscape Category of both the 13th and 14th international ARC Salon Competition.
He also obtained many awards from various renowned international competitions such as the Gateway International 2017-2018, Sedona Art Prize 2016-2017, Light Space & Time Online Gallery, The Artist’s Magazine 34th Annual Art Competition, Patchings Competition UK, Manhattan Arts International, etc?
Notably by his painting, ?On the Hill’, he won the Best Landscape award in Jun/Jul 2016 of the 6th Annual Plein Air Salon Competition, selected as the ?Winner Emerging Artist’ of the Artmuse Contest in 2016, and also selected as the Painter for the Online Gallery of the Leisure Painter Magazine in the issue of August 2016. He used to be represented by the ?Bill Hester Fine Arts’ gallery and ‘Gallery 901’ in Santa Fe, NM.
He sincerely hopes his works can ultimately present viewers with a sublime sense of warmth, happiness, and contentment.