Masha Keating Profile of the Artist

MASHA KEATING

Cover artist Masha Keating’s work is simply put— EXQUISITE.

I had the great pleasure to sit with Masha in her Santa Ynez studio recently and as we spoke, my eyes were always drawn back to her pieces: giant florals, sometimes featuring delicately painted living creatures, and a mysterious life force animated by delicate lines that often flow across her works as ribbons of color.

Masha and my conversation went to many different places, but we started with a discussion on the “new wild west” for the arts, and that is the NFT — the non-fungible token, which represents a massive potential shift for the collecting of digital art in the future. As we started to discuss this very hard-to-explain topic, Masha stopped us a moment and pointed at one of her pieces — reminding me that it was digital art, created on an iPad and printed on a variety of materials (canvas, metal, glass, and others) to create an absolutely stunning painted effect. I had to pause a moment, as I have never seen digital art so incredibly beautiful. (And on a side note: I encourage you to google NFTs if you are interested — it’s a fascinating and complex subject.)

Born in Russia and having moved to the United States when she was 13, Masha describes Judaism as changing her life completely. Most immigrant stories take numerous twists and turns, and Masha’s fascinating story is no different.

Dreaming of Dew

After a chance encounter with the famous Lubavicher Rebbe, Menachem Schneerson, in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, her father was able to receive the blessing he needed to continue to forge links in the United States, paving the way for his family back in Russia to join him one year later. With practically no exposure to Judaism in Russia, the family was guided to Chabad House in Los Angeles as they made their way in their new home. Chabad still holds a very dear place in Masha’s heart today.

As a teenage girl in West Hollywood with no English and no prior exposure to American customs and culture, Masha’s early experiences in the United States were bumpy and difficult, but made easier once she found art as an outlet for expression. We laughed together as she shared tales of her culture shock and teen angst from that period in her life — which she said often made appearances in her early work which was dark and gloomy — completely opposite to her bright, luscious canvases of today.

Masha’s studio features recent digital pieces as well as older traditionally painted canvases — a form that she was forced to give up when she developed a severe allergic reaction to the chemicals in paints. So now, with her Apple pencil in hand, she still uses art as her primary outlet.

In addition to creating her art, Masha has a keen interest in fashion and greatly enjoyed learning from Jodi De Marcos at the De Marcos Fashion Academy in Santa Barbara several years ago. This interest in fashion and a chance encounter led to her upcoming collaboration with fashion designer Mary Beth Larkin, owner of (IN)LARKIN®, a local Santa Barbara e-commerce clothing and lifestyle brand which will be available at the upcoming Local’s Collective Pop-Up on State Street in June.

Masha’s work hangs in numerous galleries and museums locally, and also in private offices by commission. She is currently working on a commission for a spiritual healer who wants a piece of art that will both bring good energy into her office, as well as remove bad energy from the space. It is a tall order, but one that I am sure Masha will tackle with her trademark expressiveness and creativity.

To see Masha’s work visit mashakeating.com. On her website you can get in touch with the artist to view works at her ranch studio, by appointment. Anaïs Pellegrini, Director of Philanthropy and Engagement for the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara authored this article.

“Although I love getting involved in various projects, the main thing that I always fall back on is making art. I let art lead me and that helps me stay connected to my true self.” — MASHA KEATING

California Monkey Flowers

Masha Keating creates digital art on an iPad. It can be printed on a variety of materials from walls, to fabrics, to glass and canvas. A collaboration with fashion designer Mary Beth Larkin, owner of (IN) LARKIN®, a local Santa Barbara e-commerce clothing and lifestyle brand

“True art is sacred. It transports and creates connections. I’m interested in bridging the gap between art and its viewers, especially in public spaces. Art has no boundaries.”