Lady in Brown 1967

Frank Mason's "Lady in Brown" is a large oil painting that features earthy, dark tones and subtle variations in the brown palette, enveloping the figure in shadow. It feels like a painting that has emerged through layers, each stroke a conversation between the artist, the model, and the canvas. I imagine Mason, brush in hand, stepping back, squinting, and then lunging forward to capture that elusive glimmer in her eye. It’s interesting how the texture is built up in certain areas, like around the sleeve, while others, like the background, seem to fade into a soft haze. That contrast keeps the eye moving and makes the figure pop. It reminds me a bit of Rembrandt, with that dramatic use of light and shadow, but there’s also something very personal and contemporary about it. You can sense Mason's admiration for the Old Masters, but he’s also doing his own thing, pushing the boundaries of portraiture in his own way. And that's what art is all about, right? Artists constantly riffing off each other, inspiring each other to see the world in new ways.