BACKGROUND • AWARDS • EXHIBITIONS
Dorothy Masom is considered one of America's most distinguished contemporary artists and true pioneers in the revival of encaustic painting. Her paintings reflect a personal and subjective artistic language which deals with the impressionist's delicate balance between subject and image. Her work has been hailed by numerous critics, including the late internationally known Art Critic Clement Greenburg, who judged and awarded her painting Best in Show at the 1990 Pennsylvania Painter's Show. In 1990 she was asked by The Encaustic Network, Unlimited to host the 2nd international encaustics convention at Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania.
Dorothy Masom holds a singular place among American encaustic painters in that she is recognized as being the, "Dean of American Encaustic Painters". Dorothy is also a distinguished lecturer and professor who taught art for over 18 years at Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania. She conducts many seminars and lectures, and is cited in "Who's who in American Education" and "Who's who in America." She is an internationally known author with her book "Encaustic Painting", which traces the history of this medium and is in permanent collection at the J. Paul Getty Museum, California, and numerous universities. |
She began her extraordinary career as a scholarship student at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and studied with her friend and early mentor, Morton Kaish at the Art Students' League of New York City. She holds a Master's degree in Art from Bloomsburg University, Pennsylvania. Currently retired and living in Baltimore, MD, she continues to show an inspirational drive to paint and create her luminous works of art. This website is dedicated to displaying that work and to inspire others who are interested in working with the encaustics medium.
"Dorothy Masom, a show of strength in a delicate profusion of colors" 
Dorothy at her studio in Baltimore
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Partial Listing of Academic Background and Awards
- Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, PA (on scholarship) - 1961-62
- New York Students' Art League, NYC - 1975
- MFA Degree, Bloomsburg University, PA - 1981
- Art Professor for eighteen years at Susquehanna University, PA - 1974-93
- Who's Who in American Education and Who's Who in America
- National Award from, The Interfaith Forum on Religious Art and Architecture, D.C. of 15 paintings of "Stations of the Cross" - 1984
- President's Award for Encaustic Painting from the Catharine Lorillard Club, NYC - 1993
- Best in Show of Outstanding PA Artists at Bucknell University, PA (Judge: the late Clement Greenburg) - 1993
- Member of the National Association of Women Artists. Won 1st Prize in NAWA show - 2005
- Best in Show from Susquehanna Art Society, Selinsgrove, Pa. - 2011
- Lifetime Achievement Award from International Encaustic Artists - 2014
Partial Listing of Exhibitions
- Susquehanna University - 1984-1994
- Bloomsburg University - 1981, 1985, 1994
- Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, NYC - 1986, 1990, 1993, 1995-96
- Cornell Museum, FL - 1990, 2000, 2001
- St. Peters Church, NYC - 1990
- Washington, Theological Union, DC - 1997
- Hilton Head National Exhibit, SC - 1999
- One-Woman Exhibit at Penn State - 1999
- Packwood Museum, PA - 1993
- Armory Art Center, FL - 2002
- Lighthouse Center for the Arts - 1989-2002
- Governor's Club, W. Palm Beach, FL - 2005
- NAWA Show - Penn State, PA - 2009 and NYC - 2014
- Boca Museum Artists Guild, Fl. - 2000, 2003, 2005
- Encaustic Art Institute, NM. - 2013, 2014
- Art Association of Harrisburg, Pa. - 2009, 2010, 2013
Partial Listings of Books and Articles Authored
- Book: Encaustic Painting, by Dorothy Masom, Burgess Publishing Co. in permanent collection at J. Paul Getty Museum - 1981
- Cover and Feature Article: Artist's Magazine and US., Disegnare & Dipingere Mag. Italy - 1985
- Featured Artist: wrote a chapter for The Painter's Workshop, by Pat Dews, - 2003
- Article: American Artist Magazine - 2003
- Encaustic Arts Magazine - 2013