Melissa Mason: Where Horses and Art Collide
Welcome to my world of vibrant, contemporary art where the elegance of horses meets the boldness of abstract expressionism. My paintings capture the raw energy and movement of these magnificent animals, blending vivid colors with sweeping brushstrokes to bring a sense of life and freedom to any space. Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply searching for something unique, my work is designed to stand out and make a lasting impression.
While horses are at the heart of my art, I also explore abstract landscapes and forms that offer a different kind of balance—serenity and contemplation. These pieces complement the dynamic energy of my equine work, offering something for both those who crave movement and those who seek calm. No matter what draws you in, my goal is to create art that resonates deeply and speaks to your individual taste.
A Lifelong Passion
My love for horses began in childhood. For years, I dreamed of owning one, spending countless hours drawing these beautiful creatures and imagining their power and grace. That dream finally became reality in adulthood, and it transformed my art in ways I hadn’t imagined. I no longer just painted horses; I painted their spirit—their wildness, their freedom. Over time, my work evolved into a more abstract, expressive style, where bold gestures meet intricate details. Each piece is a journey, meant to draw you into a world where energy and emotion collide.
From Nursing to Full-Time Artist
Before dedicating myself fully to art, I spent years as a Registered Nurse. Nursing taught me discipline, empathy, and patience—qualities that now inform my creative process. But the pull of art was always there, growing stronger until I knew I had to embrace it fully. Transitioning from caring for people to expressing myself on canvas felt natural, like a deep breath after holding it in for too long. Now, my mission is to bring together my two great loves—horses and art—to create work that feels alive, full of movement and spirit.
Where You’ve Seen My Work
My art has found homes in both private collections and public spaces, from high-end hotels like The Hilton to museum exhibitions. Collectors range from interior designers to sports franchise owners, and each piece carries with it a story, a sense of motion that captivates and inspires. I’m honored to see my work making connections in so many different settings, sparking conversations and adding a unique energy to the spaces they inhabit.
What Collectors Are Saying
“Melissa’s paintings bring an incredible vibrancy to our home. The colors and movement are simply unmatched.” – Sandra & Cliff Chase
“As both an equestrian and designer, Melissa’s work is a perfect fit for my clients. The way she captures energy through color and form brings any space to life.” – Kairen
Let’s Connect
If you’re ready to introduce original art into your space, I’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s a custom piece or a question about my current collection, I’m always open to discussing your vision.
Melissa Mason
Phone: 386 295 0035
Email: info@melissamason.me
Selected Exhibitions/Awards
2023
2020 Art on Centre solo sow
2017 TEW Gallery Atlanta GA-Solo Show
Roan + Black Gallery Saugatuck MI-Solo Show
Art-Prov Gallery Providence RI-4 person show
LeMoyne Center for the Visual Art Tallahassee FL-"Outside The Lines" 4 person show
2016 Ormond Museum of Art Ormond FL "Outside The Lines" 4 person show
Roan + Black Saugatuck MI-group show
2015 Spectrum Miami FL
MAC Fine Art, Ft Lauderdale FL
Roan + Black Gallery Saugatuck MI
2014 TEW Gallery, Atlanta GA
Roan & Black Gallery, Saugatuck MI
2013 Roan & Black Gallery, Saugatuck MI
2012 EQUUS2 person Show, TEW gallery, Atlanta, GA
Solo show, Marleau Gallery, Saugerties, NY
2011 THROUGH THE COLLECTORS EYE-group show at the Florida Museum of Women Artist, Deland, FL
NEO EXPRESSIONS: Three person show-Hollingsworth Gallery, Palm Coast, FL
2010 ART LEAGUE MEMBERS SHOW-Achievement Award, Daytona Beach. FL
2009 COLOR MY WORLD 2 person show- Art League of Daytona Beach, FL
ART LEAGUE MEMBERS SHOW-1st Place, Daytona Beach, FL
2008 PICTURING FLORIDA-group show, Fogle Fine Art, Jacksonville, FL
Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association Art Show-group show, Ocala, FL
HORSES & HEALING BENEFIT ART EXHIBIT: Casselberry City Hall, FL
ARTIST WORKSHOP 50TH ANNIVERSARY MEMBERS SHOW-Best of Show, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2007 EQUUS: THE ART OF THE HORSE-group show, Museum of Florida Art-Deland FL
EQUINE ART-group show, Emerald Downs, Auburn, WA
EQUIFEST-Featured Artist, Deland Museum of Art, FL
WASHINGTON THROROUGHBRED FOUNDATION EQUINE ART-2nd place and peoples' choice awards, Auburn, WA
2006 EQUIFEST-Award of Merit, Museum of Florida Art, Deland, FL
PRESS/PUBLICATION
Picturing Florida-from the 1st Coast to the Space Coast, a book featuring 38 Florida artists
Horse Sayings-wit & wisdom straight from the horse’s mouth
HITS-2008 Winter Circuit cover artist
Arbus-N. Florida’s Arts & Business Magazine Sept/Oct 2008
Backstage Pass Feb 2008
Orlando Arts Magazine May/June 2008
MUSEUM AND CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Museum of Art and Sciences, Daytona Beach, FL
Museum of Florida Art, Deland FL
Emerald Downs, Auburn, WA
Del Frisco Grille, Houston, TX
Homewood Suites by Hilton, Ocala, FL
The Towers at Williams Square, Irving, TX
SQ Advisors Naples FL
Beaux-Art Group Tampa FL
Bank of America Minneapolis MN
University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union, Lexington KY
Eilan Hotel + Spa San Antonio TX
Tisdel Distributing Cincinnati Ohio
Horseshoe Lake Charles LA
Workhorse Corp, Cincinnati OH
Statement
Artist’s Statement
Painting, for me, is an open-ended conversation with uncertainty. The first stroke sets off a chain reaction of possibilities, and I embrace the tension between chaos and control, allowing chance to guide the process. Each piece is a journey without a clear destination, but I’m fully committed to following wherever it leads.
My work thrives on the interplay between the deliberate and the spontaneous: precise marks contrasted with loose, gestural movements, careful color placement disrupted by bold, instinctive splashes of paint. I don’t aim to impose order, but instead explore the dialogue between these extremes, letting each piece evolve naturally.
The result is not always neat or expected, but it is alive. My goal is to evoke a visceral response in the viewer—whether it’s a feeling of movement, a confrontation with chaos, or something unexpected. I want to pull the viewer into this exploration of energy, form, and motion—an experience that reflects the same dynamic unpredictability that drives my creative process.