Barbara Mastej

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Being mercurial by nature, I can’t honestly ever see myself sticking with any one medium, technique or style. My work varies from figurative to totally abstract. I love to paint, but also am compelled to pick up crazy stuff, even garbage, on walks and incorporate these random items into assemblages. I am drawn to old, obsolete, broken or rusted bits of machinery, shattered pottery and glass, driftwood, seed pods, bones—these things hold so much magic and conjure up images of creatures and otherworldly beings. I grew up in the Detroit area and received my BFA from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I got into the ad biz and worked as an art director for the better part of my life. Conceptual thinking has always been my strong point, and I find that design and writing skills come very handy in presenting my fine art works.

Horror Vacui - 10th Annual Alumni Exhibition — The University of Michigan - Argus II Gallery / Ann Arbor, MI - July 2016

Collage-O-Rama - Group Show - Cadillac Hotel Gallery / Venice, CA - Sept. 2015

Coldwell Banker Artist Showcase - Three-Man Show - Venice, CA - April 2014

It Came From Venice - Group Show - Sponto Gallery / Venice, CA - March 2014

Vestiges of My Venice - Solo Show - Cadillac Hotel Gallery / Venice, CA - Jan. 2013

Venice Arts Council Presents - Two-Man Show - Hama Sushi / Venice, CA - Oct. 2012

Another Tick on the Timeline - Three-Man Show - Cadillac Hotel Gallery / Venice Beach, CA - Feb. 2012

Solo Show - Venice Art Crawl - The Fig Tree / Venice, CA - September 2011

House Artists - Two-Man Show - Wine Expo Tasting Room / Santa Monica, CA - Sept. 2010 to Sept. 2013

Shifting Paradigms ~ First Prize - VOCA Gallery - Venice, CA - April 2010

Penny W Stamps School of Art & Design - The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI - BFA 1977

When I was in art school, everyone was transitioning from fine arts to more lucrative applications. Having had a career in creative advertising as both a writer, art director and conceptual visionary, I have come full circle. Once again, I'm face-to-face with my true nature as someone who cannot stop receiving new impulses to create. I work in many mediums: painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, sculpture and mosaic. In short, making stuff is the only way I can bring peace to my restless mind with its popcorn machine of ideas.