water color 25 x 30 in.
Superstitious Mountain by Roy Martell Mason
“Renowned visitors to Morro Bay in 1959.”
“In a delightful turn of events, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Martell Mason, hailing from Batavia, New York, graced Morro Bay with their presence. Roy Mason, a celebrated landscape painter and a member of the National Academy, was captivated by the picturesque charm of the town. His mission was to discover a fresh perspective from which to capture the unique local landmark, Morro Rock.
Born on March 15, 1886, in Gilbert Mills, New York, Mason received his education in the local public schools. His artistic journey began under the guidance of his father. Since 1929, he had been consistently honored with prestigious awards, including the Gold Medal of Honor for his watercolor work at the Allied Artists of America show in 1952-53. His art can be admired in the Metropolitan Museum of New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and 15 other museums across the nation, as well as in over 100 private collections. Roy Mason also held a position as the art director for 35 years at F. E. Mason and Sons, engravers, in Batavia, working alongside his brother. He was appointed an Associate of the National Academy in 1930, and in 1940, he became a full member as a National Academician. Additionally, he served as a life member and vice president in 1953 for the American Water Color Society, Philadelphia Water Color Society, and the Rochester Art Club, among other organizations. His artistic talents graced the covers of periodicals like Reader’s Digest and Colliers.
When questioned about his stance on conservative versus advanced theories of art, Mason unequivocally leaned towards conservative art. He confessed that he struggled to comprehend the surrealists, post-Impressionists, and abstract expressionists, labeling them as ‘suspect in their motivation and questionable in their achievement.’
Mr. and Mrs. Mason had been enjoying a weekend getaway in Carmel as guests of the world-renowned naturalist Roy Chapman Andrews and his spouse. While en route to their newly acquired permanent residence in La Jolla, purchased just two months prior, they found artistic inspiration aplenty in the central coast area. To Roy, Morro Bay was a veritable ‘pictorial gold mine,’ offering months’ worth of artistic possibilities.
Roy Mason’s affiliation with the Audubon Artists and the couple’s previous membership with the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology at Ithaca underscored their deep appreciation for nature. During their visit to Morro Bay, Mrs. Mason dedicated her time to observing the bay’s diverse birdlife, particularly the shorebirds and waterfowl. Both Roy and Mrs. Mason conveyed their genuine fondness for Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo County. They expressed their hope that this area would remain largely unspoiled for both its residents and artists. Their anticipation of pleasant and artistically fruitful future visits was apparent.” (Source: Nadine Richards, “Visit to Morro Bay Impresses Landscape Painter,” published in the Sun on December 11, 1959, in section 2, page 3.)
