Galleries – Digital Collage

“Masla’s collages juxtapose contemporary art tools such as the digital camera and Photoshop software program with painterly techniques that he has cultivated over his 30 year career. By printing and painting on the canvas, Masla creates work that is both abstract and hyper-realistic. He keeps the viewer engaged by alternating passages of painted texture with images of everyday objects in his work. At times it is a challenge to discern between the painted and the digitally enhanced areas.

The integration of old and new reflects Masla’s philosophy that there are no rules and that each artist should use whatever tools are available for his or her creative expression. A student of Alton S. Tobey, Masla learned to paint in a realistic manner and to use his own photographs as resource material at an early age. Mixing It Up: Digital Collage Paintings by Robert Masla is a culmination of many years of work and integrates his early lessons with contemporary thought and expression. His quest for personal truth and his ever-evolving spiritual life continue to inform his work.” -Press Release from the Springfield Museums in co-ordination with Masla’s 2009 Exhibition – MIXING IT UP: DIGITAL COLLAGE PAINTINGS BY ROBERT MASLA, Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts July 21 through October 18, 2009.

The Mexico Series

abstract1
Poster (20″x30″) for 2009, Springfield Museum of Fine Arts exhibition – original digital collage painting, 30″x40″ – “Doors of Fortuity”

2
“3 Keys (Open Your Heart – Love, Truth, Compassion)” 30″x40″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas. These images are from areas surrounding my studio South, Casa de los Artistas, in Mexico, the keys were painted from keys at the “Hacienda Museum” in the Mt. town of El Tuito.

3
3 Keys – detail 1
Every time I paint, being a new person at every moment, I tend to do things differently. I thought it would be interesting to see some of the work as it progresses through stages. This is one of the methods I use for the trompe’loeil (“trick” or “fool” the eye) process. Beginning with a light pencil sketch of the objects on the canvas, all but the cast shadows are painted in with white. This is a method that was employed by some of the Pre- Raphaelites (among others) as it imparts a crispness and luminosity to the subsequent layers that are applied in transparent glazes.

4
3 Keys – detail 2
Glazes of color are then added to the shadow areas from now on add text after titles

5
3 Keys -detail 3 More details

6
3 Keys -detail 4
Final glazes of color and more highlights and shadows are added

7
3 Keys -detail 5
This key was painted slightly differently as I literally sculpted its form with acrylic modeling paste before painting it

8
3 Keys -detail 6
You can see from this angled shot it is about an 1/8″ or more off the surface of the faux “paper” -an acrylic skin made of modeling paste and matte medium.

9
Passages” 40″ x 60″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

10
“Above and Below in Mexico” 20″x40″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

11
“Of the Earth” 20″ x 30″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

12
“True North, (Let Your Heart Point The Way)” 30″x40″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas
True North addresses my love and feelings, images, etc. living in two worlds, the U.S. &Mexico, but on a deeper level deals with my philosophy that in the journey through life, the true compass, the barometer by which we might “judge things” is Love. As I write in the travel triptych that appears to be tacked to the canvas, – “Does this action, belief, thought, etc. -open my heart to more compassion and love in action, or does it close it down, cause separation, judgement, negativity, etc. – If it is latter, then I am heading south (and I don’t mean of the boarder)”

13
True North detail 1
painted detail of suns’ rays, extension of water and sky

14
True North detail 2
painted detail texture of suns’ rays

15
True North detail 3
painted abstract texture

16
True North detail 4
painted detail of trompe tape and extension of clouds and sky

17
True North detail 5
painted detail waterfall

18
True North detail 6
painted detail waterfall


The “Four Seasons” Series

14
Summer 40″ x 60″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas
The images in this painting come from a number of my paintings glorifying the summer season, along with photographs and paintings of pebbles and shells. It is one of a series of paintings I began on the theme of the Four Seasons for my exhibition at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, MA.

2
Summer – detail 1
Painted stones – acrylic, oil and alkyd

3
Summer – detail 2
painted “shell” on “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

4
Summer – detail 3
painted “shell” on “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel, modeling paste and paint and painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

5
Pebbles and Shells -1 (From the Four Seasons Series) 8″ x 10″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel, modeling paste and paint and pigmented inks on canvas

6
Pebbles and Shells -2, (From the Four Seasons Series) 8″ x 10″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint and pigmented inks on canvas

7
Pebbles and Shells -3 – (From the Four Seasons Series), 8″ x 10″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel, modeling paste and paint and pigmented inks on canvas

8
Pebbles and Shells -4 – (From the Four Seasons Series) 8″ x 10″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint and pigmented inks on canvas

9
By the Sea – (little creatures) 30″x40″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas I am always fascinated by the infinite contained within the finite, the incredible beauty and detail that surrounds us in the simplest of things. This painting pays homage to that.

10
By the Sea – (little creatures) – detail 1
Trompe’loeil tape, shell and painted “paper” made of “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

11
By the Sea – (little creatures) – detail 2
“Acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and acrylic pain

12
By the Sea – (little creatures) – detail 3
Texture and glazes created with acrylic paint and gel

13
By the Sea – (little creatures) – detail 4
Texture and glazes created with acrylic paint and gel

14
Fall – (From the Four Seasons Series) 40″ x 30″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas The images in this painting come from a number of my paintings glorifying Fall in New England, along with photographs and paintings of leaves. It is another one of a series of paintings I began on the theme of the Four Seasons for my exhibition at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, MA.

15
Fall – detail 1
Painted “leaf” on “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste, painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

16
Fall – detail 2
Painted “leaf” on “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste, painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

17
Winter – (From the Four Seasons Series), 30″ x 40″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, hand made paper, masonite, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

18
Winter – detail 1
Acrylic modeling paste and acrylic paint

19
Winter – detail 2
oil and alkyd on handmade paper

20
Winter – detail 3
oil and alkyd on masonite panel The “Tea” Series


Tea Series

colarge2
Tea with Bhuddha 20″x30″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

2
Tea4Too, 20″x30″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

3
One Two Tea 20″x30″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas


The “Onyx” Series

collarge4
Onyx 1 30″x40″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

2
Onyx 2 30″x40″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

3
Onyx 3, 40″x30″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

4
Bottles of Light, 20″ x 30″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas The images in this painting and the paintings “One Light” and “Keys to Music” come from near Casa de los Artistas, our home and studio in Mexico, particularly from our nieghbor Edgars home. The beautiful blue bottles are imbedded in the wall in front of his property.I admire them every time I walk from the Casa to the foot bridge. I see the bottles as a metaphor for ourselves, as containers. It is one of a series of paintings I began on the theme for my exhibition at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, MA.

5
One Light 16″ x 20″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

6
One Light – detail 1
“candle”, painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd on “acrylic skin”.

7
ne Light – detail 2
Here I wrote: One candle can ignite infinite fire, remaining undiminished, It’s luminosity increasing the light of the world It is but One Flame.


The “Flora Erotica” Series

The Flora Erotica Series was inspired by my numerous trips to the beautiful Vallarta Botanical Gardens, just up the road from the Casa. We often bring guests up there to photograph and paint.

collarge5
“Flora Erotica – Rhythm” 30″x40″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste and pigmented inks on canvas

2
“Flora Erotica – Rhythm” – detail 1
Trompe’loeil tape, glazes and “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

3
“Flora Erotica – Rhythm” – detail 2
Trompe’loeil tape, glazes and “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

4
“Flora Erotica – Rhythm” – detail 3
Trompe’loeil tape, glazes and “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

5
“Flora Erotica – Rhythm” – detail 4
Trompe’loeil tape, glazes and “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

6
“Flora Erotica – Rhythm” – detail 5
Trompe’loeil tape, glazes and “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

7
“Flora Erotica – Rhythm” – detail 6
Trompe’loeil tape, glazes and “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

8
“Flora Erotica – Primrose” 30″x 20″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste and pigmented inks on canvas

9
“Flora Erotica – Dance” 30″x 20″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste and pigmented inks on canvas

10
“Flora Erotica – Passion” 20″x 30″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste and pigmented inks on canvas

11
“Flora Erotica – Echinacea” 20″x 30″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste and pigmented inks on canvas

12
“Flora Erotica – Echinacea” – detail
Glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic. Shot at an angle to reveal texture

13
“Offering to the Goddess” 40″x 30″

Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste and pigmented inks on canvas


More from the “Mexico” Series

collarge6
“Lions at the Gate” 24″x 10″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste and pigmented inks on canvas

2
“Mercado” 20″x40″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste and pigmented inks on canvas Mercado is a cacophony of color and texture inspired by the market place in El Tuito, (about a 35 minute drive into the mountains from the Casa), during the Fiesta of the Virgin of Guadeloupe.

3
Mercado – detail 1
Glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

4
Mercado – detail 2
Glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

5
The Principles of Understanding, 16″ x 20″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

6
Keys to Music 20″ x 30″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

7
Keys to Music – detail
Trompe’loeil key/shadow, thread, string and tape painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

8
Keys to Music – detail
Trompe’loeil tape and painted “paper” made of “acrylic skin” created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.


The “Contemplation of Life” Series

The paintings in this series were conceived from the reflection of two aphorisims – the Vedic – “Tat Taum Ausi” – “Thou Art That”, and the Buddhas’ teaching from the Dhamapada – “All that we are is a result of all that we have thought”

collarge6
The Contemplation of Life 20″ x 30″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas

2
The Contemplation of Life – detail 1
Painting, glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

3
The Contemplation of Life – detail 2
Painting, glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

4
The Contemplation of Life – detail 3
Painting, glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd

5
The Contemplation of Life – detail 4
Painting, glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic, oil and alkyd.

6
All That We Are 20″ x 30″
Acrylic, oil and alkyd paint, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas Private Collection, Boston

7
All That We Are – detail 1
Trompe’loeil tape, glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

8
All That We Are – detail 2
Glazes and textures created with acrylic gel and modeling paste and painted with acrylic.

9
Kalya Tapasya – The Transforming Fire of Time, (Self Portrait completed on my 50th birthday), 30″x40″
Acrylic, acrylic gels, modeling paste, pumice and pigmented inks on canvas. to see details of this peice and to learn about it’s inspirational sources as well as.