Alex K. Mason

Los Angeles, California

What is your training? 

I have a BA in Art from The University of Vermont and an MFA in painting from Pratt Institute. In 2003 I went to Otis College of Art and Design to learn how to do textile design. 

What inspires you and your designs?

Nature Flora and Fauna inspire me the most but also the interior design world. I have a boutique fabric line called Ferrick Mason which is inspired by my art but also influences my paintings.  I love the world of interiors and I am constantly inspired by interior design magazines and old movies with fantastic interiors and fashion. TCM is the only channel I really need. 

 What is your favorite piece? 

One of my favorite paintings I have done was for my sister’s wedding gift in 2001 of an exotic bird I made up. I have painted a few birds, but feel like I am being drawn back to that subject matter. I love the idea of making up exotic birds in otherworldly abstracted locales. 

 How has the your area influenced your work?

I was raised in Kentucky and though I love it I am pulled by a force to LA. I leave and I come back, but I can’t stay away because to me it is the most exciting and inspiring city in the US for art, design, manufacturing and blooming flora year round. 

What is your favorite restaurant in (your city)?

I love Japanese and Mexican food. The two places I am loving in my hood right now are Petty Cash on Beverly Blvd for Mexican and Izaka-ya on Third St. for sushi.

What is your favorite cocktail?

I love a good Margarita with slices of fresh jalapeno.  

How do you balance personal life and work?

I have a very supportive husband!  The weekend is my painting time so I head to the studio and my husband takes over taking care of our girls.  I feel like I’m always working in some capacity except when on vacation, then I shut down. 

Dream trip?

A tour of India

Dream commission?

I would love to be commissioned to paint a dining room or bedroom in someone’s home and have total freedom to see what comes out. Maybe a lot of exotic birds?

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

Tissue box covers made of Ferrick Mason fabric.

Who is your style icon?

I die for Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour. Her hair and clothes are gorgeous, prim but sexy. 

Your favorite up and coming artist?

He’s quite a well established artist, but a contemporary one. I love Will Cotton and his confectionary fantasies. In college and grad school I painted cakes and cupcakes. The cake painting were little universes layered and stacked on top of eachother. Then I decided that maybe the reason I loved oil painting was the consistancy of it, so similar to frosting.  I would heap on gobs of oil paint on small panels to look like frosting, but I think Will Cotton does it best. I would love to own one of his paintings or live in one of his paintings. 

What is your most treasured possession?

I have to say that I have been blessed to inherit a lot of gorgeous jewelry, furniture and art from relatives. It’s hard to pick one thing, but we use  a T. H. Robsjohns- Gibbings ottoman that Jay Spectre picked out for my grandmother Ina when he decorated her home. I had the top cushion recently recovered in chartreuse leather, I love the design and we use it everyday. 

What are you reading?

I just finished The Goldfinch by Donna Tart over Christmas. It is my favorite book that I have read in many moons.  

What are you listening to?

 I am  listening to Haim right now, but when I paint I like to listen to old school hip hop. 

What are your favorite blogs / publications?