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Max Mason

"Play Ball!"

May 2023

Selected Works Thumbnails
First Base Coach   11" x 8"  Graphite On Paper

Around First (drawing) (SOLD)

11" x 8"

Graphite On Paper

 

Behind The Plate  14" x 14"  Oil On Board

Behind The Plate

14" x 14"

Oil On Board

 

Inquire
Big Right Hander  16" x 10"  Oil On Board

Big Right Hander

16" x 10"

Oil On Board

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Inquire
Dollar Dog Night, Progressive Field, Cleveland  48" x 60"  Oil On Canvas

Dollar Dog Night, Progressive Field, Cleveland (SOLD)

48" x 60"

Oil On Canvas

 

 
Extra Bases  16" x 20"  Oil On Board

Extra Bases (SOLD)

16" x 20"

Oil On Board

 

Getting The Sign  14" x 18"  Oil On Board

Getting The Sign

14" x 18"

Oil On Board

 

Inquire
Leading Off  12" x 9"  Oil On Board

Leading Off (SOLD)

12" x 9"

Oil On Board

Looking In  10" x 7"  Graphite On Paper

Looking In (drawing) (SOLD)

10" x 7"

Graphite On Paper

 

Looking In For The Sign 12" x 9"  Oil On Board

Looking In For The Sign (SOLD)

12" x 9"

Oil On Board

 

On Deck  14" x 11"  Oil On Board

On Deck (SOLD)

14" x 11"

Oil On Board

 

On Deck  7.5" x 8"  Graphite On Paper

On Deck (drawing) (SOLD)

7.5" x 8"

Graphite On Paper

 

PNC Park, Pittsburgh  36" x 60"  Oil On Canvas

PNC Park, Pittsburgh

36" x 60"

Oil On Canvas

 

Inquire
Power Hitter  16" x 16"  Oil On Board

Power Hitter (SOLD)

16" x 16"

Oil On Board

 

Ready  12" x 9"  Oil On Board

Ready (SOLD)

12" x 9"

Oil On Board

 

Richie At Bat  12" x 9"  Oil On Board

Richie At Bat (SOLD)

12" x 9"

Oil On Board

Richie In Connie Mack  30" x 40"  Oil On Canvas

Richie In Connie Mack (SOLD)

30" x 40"

Oil On Canvas

 

Spring Training  30" x 34"  Oil On Linen

Spring Training

30" x 34"

Oil On Linen

Shop

Inquire
The Great American Ballpark With Birds  22" x 19"  Ink Jet Print

The Great American Ballpark With Birds (SOLD)

22" x 19"

Ink Jet Print

 

First Base Coach   11" x 8"  Graphite On Paper

Around First (drawing) (SOLD)

11" x 8"

Graphite On Paper

 

Behind The Plate  14" x 14"  Oil On Board

Behind The Plate

14" x 14"

Oil On Board

 

Big Right Hander  16" x 10"  Oil On Board

Big Right Hander

16" x 10"

Oil On Board

Shop

Dollar Dog Night, Progressive Field, Cleveland  48" x 60"  Oil On Canvas

Dollar Dog Night, Progressive Field, Cleveland (SOLD)

48" x 60"

Oil On Canvas

 

 
Extra Bases  16" x 20"  Oil On Board

Extra Bases (SOLD)

16" x 20"

Oil On Board

 

Getting The Sign  14" x 18"  Oil On Board

Getting The Sign

14" x 18"

Oil On Board

 

Leading Off  12" x 9"  Oil On Board

Leading Off (SOLD)

12" x 9"

Oil On Board

Looking In  10" x 7"  Graphite On Paper

Looking In (drawing) (SOLD)

10" x 7"

Graphite On Paper

 

Looking In For The Sign 12" x 9"  Oil On Board

Looking In For The Sign (SOLD)

12" x 9"

Oil On Board

 

On Deck  14" x 11"  Oil On Board

On Deck (SOLD)

14" x 11"

Oil On Board

 

On Deck  7.5" x 8"  Graphite On Paper

On Deck (drawing) (SOLD)

7.5" x 8"

Graphite On Paper

 

PNC Park, Pittsburgh  36" x 60"  Oil On Canvas

PNC Park, Pittsburgh

36" x 60"

Oil On Canvas

 

Power Hitter  16" x 16"  Oil On Board

Power Hitter (SOLD)

16" x 16"

Oil On Board

 

Ready  12" x 9"  Oil On Board

Ready (SOLD)

12" x 9"

Oil On Board

 

Richie At Bat  12" x 9"  Oil On Board

Richie At Bat (SOLD)

12" x 9"

Oil On Board

Richie In Connie Mack  30" x 40"  Oil On Canvas

Richie In Connie Mack (SOLD)

30" x 40"

Oil On Canvas

 

Spring Training  30" x 34"  Oil On Linen

Spring Training

30" x 34"

Oil On Linen

Shop

The Great American Ballpark With Birds  22" x 19"  Ink Jet Print

The Great American Ballpark With Birds (SOLD)

22" x 19"

Ink Jet Print

 

“From the beginning, I was reading the newspaper religiously and rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, later the Red Sox, and now the Phillies. As time goes on, I pick up more and more teams… I’ve become more of a fan of the game itself. I’ve even started to respect and sympathize with Yankee fans.”

- Max Mason III

Max Mason - "Play Ball!" - Exhibitions - Gross McCleaf Gallery

Extra Bases, 16" x 20", Oil On Board

In his newest solo exhibition “Play Ball!” Max Mason returns to the classic subject matter of Major League Baseball with paintings and drawings depicting America’s favorite pastime. Like many contemporary artists, Mason has fruitfully combined his passion for artmaking with an ardent personal interest. Illustrating key moments of the game and the energetic movements of particular players alike, his dynamic compositions arise from stadium seats to capture the excitement and pleasure of a sunny afternoon in the stands.

Each of Mason’s paintings offer something special for the quintessential fan. Some works, such as PNC Park, Pittsburgh, foster a sense of connection to the passage of time by utilizing imagery from old photographs. Others, such as Extra Bases and Richie In Connie Mack, instantly transport the viewer into the present moment through keenly observed kinetic portrayals of players in action. While the paintings are largely representational, Mason employs painterly brush strokes to indicate form and a stylized shorthand reminiscent of comic strip illustrations or heroic cartoons, that serves to exaggerate his players’ postures. Mason also uses patterned abstraction to handily portray the faceless mass of spectators in the background. At times, the active nature of these multicolor marks further enhances the perception of motion expressed in the works.

Beyond the portraits of players, fans and the game itself, the viewer is also treated to detailed perspectives that are not easily accessible. One can soar high above the stadium in The Great American Ballpark With Birds, or savor the delight of concession foods up close in Dollar Dog Night, Progressive Field, Cleveland. Viewers can easily imagine the attendant smell of popcorn and hear the familiar tunes of the pipe organ in this lighthearted, homerun exhibition. Go Phillies!

Max Mason - "Play Ball!" - Exhibitions - Gross McCleaf Gallery

Spring Training, 30″ x 34″, Oil On Linen

Max Mason grew up in the Boston area. He attended Vassar College and graduated  in 1975 with a degree in Geology. In 1981 he began studying with landscape painter Neil Welliver at The University of Pennsylvania. Soon after, his favorite subject matter became baseball.

Mason has been represented by Gross McCleaf Gallery since 1986. He has had two solo exhibitions at the Butler Institute of American Art in 1992 and 2021. In 2004, he was commissioned by the Philadelphia Phillies to create a number of paintings and murals for their new ballpark. He has exhibited internationally and has had over 20 one-person shows nationwide. In 2010 he started The BallPark Project, an endeavor to paint large, dynamic, fan oriented paintings of all 30 Major League Baseball ballparks. He blogs about his travels, the creation of the paintings and the ball parks themselves. He is also a musician and performs with his daughter Margaret and has enjoyed playing with the power swing band “The After Dinner Mints”. He released his first album, “Social Security” in 2020. He and his wife live in Wynnewood, PA.

Max Mason - "Play Ball!" - Exhibitions - Gross McCleaf Gallery

Richie In Connie Mack, 30″ x 40″, Oil On Canvas

May 3 - 28, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 6, 1 - 4 pm

Videos

Artist Max Mason Takes GMG Out to the Phillies Game at Citizens Bank Park

Max Mason shares his large-scale paintings on location at Citizens Bank Park in this 7 minute video. Mason was commissioned by the Philadelphia Phillies to create two series of works for the ballpark when it was constructed 20 years ago. Hear more about Mason’s process during the creation of the works. Like many contemporary artists, Max Mason has fruitfully combined his passion for artmaking with an ardent personal interest. Mason’s favorite subject is Major League Baseball with paintings and drawings depicting America’s favorite pastime. Illustrating key moments of the game and the energetic movements of particular players alike, his dynamic compositions arise from stadium seats to capture the excitement and pleasure of a sunny afternoon in the stands.

"The Spirit of Baseball, New Art by Max Mason" - John Thornton Artist Film

Max Mason is an extraordinary painter, and although he has painted many subjects, baseball is perhaps closest to his heart. He talks about his new show that is an attempt to capture the enduring spirit of the game.