Mason Beuhring
Meet local artist and graphic designer, Mason Beuhring!
Tell us a little about yourself!
I am a proud, Appalachian-grown artist from Huntington, WV. My wife, Bethany, and I got married before we graduated from Marshall University. We now live in Williamstown, WV, with our five kids. Three of our kids are biological and we were able to adopt our other two from West Virginia Foster Care!
What drew you to your craft?
As far as inspiration goes, I draw from a ton of different spaces, both external and internal: tattoo culture, cartoons, block-printing, pop culture, struggles with mental health and struggles with my faith.
Describe your studio space. Where do you like to create?
I don’t really have a designated space. I do the bulk of my creating while I’m sitting in my kids’ rooms, waiting for them to fall asleep. I work primarily in digital, so anywhere I can bring my iPad becomes a workstation.
What is your favorite thing you have ever made?
I wrote and illustrated a children’s book called “Gork the Ork” for my kids. My son, Jay, is Autistic and prefers to isolate himself. This is completely fine, but my greatest fear is that Jay’s self-isolation won’t be a choice he makes, but rather, one that’s imposed upon him. So, I wrote this book to try and show my kids that love can be found, despite a person’s differences… even among four little monsters. The digital version is available on my website, but I’m still looking for a literary agent, so if you know anyone, send them my way!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A Marine Biologist who specialized in sharks.
How would you describe your creative process?
Obsessive Compulsive with a dash of Imposter Syndrome. Usually, I start a design with a base sketch (digital). Then, I’ll decrease the opacity on my base sketch, and start to build out the fine detail. I’ll repeat this process until I’m happy with it, before moving into a final sketch. I do this for both digital and block-printing designs.
What advice would you give yourself 10 years ago?
Beware of men who try and create their own kingdoms.
What do you love doing what you do?
I like the thought of giving my kids an abundance of art to hang in their future homes. Almost like a visual legacy that they can look at and share with their future families. They get to see me learn and grow as an artist, as I get to see them learn and grow as humans. I just hope that they see value in that growth when they get older.
Why is it important to support local artists and makers?
When you look in history, every major movement or cultural shift has been accompanied by visual art, created by people within these movements. Art has a way of communicating emotions, struggles, and stories that words cannot. When it comes to local issues and local struggles, it’s local artists who can best elevate the causes and movements within our community. By not supporting local artists and makers, a community is at risk of losing its greatest communicational asset.
You can find Mason’s prints, stickers, and more in the shop!
Find more of Mason’s work on his website, Instagram, and Facebook page!