Creativity afloat with Becky Mason

BY ELIZABETH MABIE

Rebecca “Becky” Mason is not only a master canoe paddler, but is skilled with paintbrushes too. Many know her from paddling lessons and northern trips, but this canoeist has a broad background in visual arts. Encouraged by her father, artist Bill Mason, and inspired by a love for nature, she has been showcasing her art around Ottawa-Gatineau for nearly 30 years. Here’s what she had to say about it.

OOM: Why did you decide to become an artist?

Mason: My family roots go deep into the creative side. I watched my dad and I grew up viewing him. I remember my late teens, saying that I’d like to be an artist. He said to me, “If you really want to be an artist, go to art school without any pressure. If you like it after the two years, go for it.” I signed myself up for the High School of Commerce and entered a two-year art program. I

built my portfolio and went on to study commercial art at the Ontario College of Art and Design.

OOM: Which medium do you use?

Mason: My immune system overreacted [to paints and chemicals] and I almost died. But my dad was wonderful. He said, “What do you want to do with your life?” I said, “I want to paint.” “What kind of paint can you use?” “Probably watercolour; that’s the least toxic.” I started with watercolour and I kept on with it. I wasn’t able to paint with acrylic for the first 15 years of watercolour, but eventually I was able to tolerate more.

OOM: What is your favourite subject matter?

Mason: I paint what I know. I love to walk in the forest; I live beside the Gatineau Hills. I love those beautiful vistas, so I have done a whole series of trees in the fall, spring, and winter. The colours are important to me.

OOM: Have you noticed your style developing over the years? How has it changed?

Mason: It has changed drastically in recent years because I have switched mediums. I have been doing watercolour for 25 years on Japanese paper. I enjoyed it, but I wanted to do something with another medium. The look is different because I am working on board. It’s not as porous … I enjoy the challenge of manipulating the paint.

OOM: What is your art process?

Mason: I clear my schedule so I’m not taking requests and think about my art for a couple of weeks. I take out my materials and start drawing and painting. I’ll paint two paintings a day, set them aside, and revisit them in two days. I always make sure that I revisit them. My work is like writing a poem; sometimes you think you can come

back, but the inspiration is gone, so you start another painting. I generally paint quickly, but a lot of thought about what I want to do is planned ahead. I almost paint the painting beforehand in my mind.

OOM: Do you have a particular place that inspires you?

Mason: It’s where my lifelines take me. I get a lot of inspiration when I’m paddling, and when I come back I’m always excited and want to paint.

OOM: Do you ever have dry periods?

Mason: I don’t consider them dry periods because I’m continually thinking subconsciously about art. I always feel like I’m being creative, so that doesn’t worry me.

OOM: Do you take your supplies along on canoe trips, so you can paint your surroundings?

Mason: Sometimes. Most of the time I come back and paint what I experienced, but in my studio. I find that time distills my memories down to the crucial elements and emotions, which are captured more effectively in my studio.

Mason’s art and info about it are all at redcanoes.ca. Worth a visit. •