About

David Masters is a fine artist, designer, and strategist whose work explores the intersection of observation, material, and creative expression. Having made art for nearly his entire life, David earned his BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2007 and his MFA in Painting from Kent State University in 2013. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in both public and private collections.

Over the past two decades, David has worked across the disciplines of fine art, design, and brand strategy, bringing a thoughtful, multidisciplinary approach to creative problem solving. Whether developing a body of artwork, building a brand, or working with students, his practice is grounded in curiosity, experimentation, and a belief that meaningful work begins with understanding.

Beyond his studio practice, David is passionate about investing in the next generation of creative thinkers. He teaches art and design, encouraging students to observe more carefully, think critically, and create with intention.

David lives and works in Medford, Oregon, with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children. When away from the studio, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, gardening, and driving his 1959 Corvette, affectionately called "Sonny".

David Masters

b. 1986 Lapeer, MI

Lives in Medford, OR

2013 MFA Kent State University, Kent, OH

2008 AAS  New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM

2007 BFA School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

2006 Academy of Fine Art, Prague, Prague, CZ

2017 Palettes for the Senses, Hedge Gallery, Cleveland, OH

2017 Men at (Art) Work, Rogue Art Center, Medford, OR

2015 HEDGE Represents, Hedge Gallery, Cleveland, OH                                                                       
* Curated by: Hilary Gent

2015 Scenerios, Hanson Howard Gallery, Ashland, OR                                                                     
* Curated by: Judy Howard

2015 30th Positive Negative, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN                  
* Curated by: Mika Yoshitake

2014 Space Divided, Heights Art Center, Cleveland, OH
* Curated By: Andrea Joki

2014 Drift, Bruno Casiano Gallery, Cleveland, OH
* Curated by: Dante Rodruiguez

2014 Lines +Folds, Hedge Gallery, Cleveland, OH
* Curated by: Hilary Gent

2013 Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, Hudson, OH
* Curated by: Kathryn Shinko

2013 SBMA Biennial 27, South Bend Museum of Art, South Bend, IN
* Curated by: Lisa D. Freimam

2013 ASM International Juried Show, ASM Headquarters, Materials Park, OH
* Curated by: Howard Turner

2013 Student Annual Juried Show, Kent State School of Art Gallery, Kent, OH

2013 KSU/MFA, Kent State School of Art Gallery, Kent, OH

2012 Student Annual Juried Show, Kent State School of Art Gallery, Kent, OH

2010 Movement, Styles in Motion, Las Cruces, NM

2008 Up and Coming, Styles in Motion, Las Cruces, NM

2007 BFA exhibition, Gallery 2, Chicago, IL

2006 Collateral, AVU Gallery, Prague, CZ
* Curated by: Otto M. Urban and Richard Willenbrink

2005 Spring Invitational, Gallery 2, Chicago, IL

2004 ECP exhibition, SAIC Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL

2017 Straddling the Great Divide, Hedge Gallery, Cleveland, OH

2013 What Lies Within or Beneath, SOA Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH

2012 I See Hope, Fellowship Gallery, Chagrin Falls, OH

2007 Of Penguins and Spacemen, Seezox Gallery, Chicago, IL

Public Commissions & Collections:

78th Street Studios, Cleveland, OH

Ford Family Foundation, Stewart Parkway Trail, Roseburg, OR

Thea Bowman Center, Cleveland, OH

Fellowship Bible Church, Bainbridge, OH

AHEC of Southern Oregon, Roseburg, OR

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Forthcoming: 2028 Blackstone Publishing, David Masters and Rousseaux Brasseur, Finding Home

2013 Douglas Max Utter, The Inside Stories of David Masters

2013 Evan Gillespie,  ‘Biennial’ Paints Exuberant Portrait, In The Bend,  August 1st, 2013

2013 Studio Visit Magazine, Vol. 21-22, Spring 2013

2012 Stephen Burks, I See Hope. ”The Art of David Masters”, Good City Productions

Teaching Experience:

2015 Figure Drawing, Rogue Art Center, Medford, OR

2014 Pixelated Paintings, Akron Art Museum, Akron, OH

2012 – 2013 Drawing 1, Kent State University, Kent, OH

2011 – 2012 Drawing 1, Kent State University, Kent, OH

2011 Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Kent State University, Kent, OH

2004 Merit Scholarship recipient, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, I