Into the Water

Dive into the world of Jessica Masters, whose captivating paintings immerse viewers in the beauty of water and the universal joys of summer.

Jessica Masters has always been fascinated by fluidity—the movement of water and the passage of time, in particular. These interests are evident in her expressive, nostalgia-inducing paintings of figures in water—whether at the beach, lake, or pool—that connect viewers to remembrances of childhood summers, family vacations, and personal histories.

This article originally appeared in the July/August issue of Artists Magazine. Read the full issue HERE.

“I want my work to make people stop and reflect, slow down and take stock,” the Ontario, Canada-based artist says. “I want them to use my work to connect to their own memories.”

Setting the Tone

Working on her ongoing series of various water scenes has taught Masters that different types of water require different techniques. “In a pool setting, for example, the light illuminates the entire figure or the part of the figure that’s below the water.” Night Swimmer II is a good example. In a lake setting like Daylight II, she notes, “The water is dark, obscuring the figure below the water line but creating a surface for the reflection of that figure.” 

“Beach scenes are different again,” Masters adds. Scenes such as Summer Lights are “more about the shifting colors of the figures out of the water and how the landscape integrates with these figures.” The lighting can be full sun, with shifting clouds and a sense of humidity, or it can be bleached out or hazy, “which is different from the strong light of the pool or lake. That changes the emotional impact of the work,” the artist says.

The Color of Water

Throughout her painting process, Masters concentrates on color. “In all the settings, bouncing and reflected light are key, as is color saturation,” she notes. “Pool water is great for throwing colorful reflections onto the figure. Lake water is earthier, or less saturated, and darker in value, so contrast plays a big role.

Meanwhile, beach scenes come alive with a contrast of bright colors in the foreground that fade with atmospheric perspective in the distance, so saturation and value need to be at play to achieve the sense of depth.”

Color temperature also plays an important role in Masters’ communication of the light. “Temperature is how I emphasize the energy of the subject,” she says. “It’s the key to creating the atmosphere of the piece.” She’s strategic in implementing the concept that cool colors recede and warm colors advance, which creates space between the color shapes. “It’s this space that adds energy and movement to a work and really grabs the viewers’ attention,” she says. “Each setting requires its own balance of saturated-to-unsaturated colors, as well as varying degrees of value and temperature contrasts, to ensure that the focal point is clear and the message is delivered cleanly.”

About the Author

Ruth Rodgers, of British Columbia, Canada, is an award-winning artist, a former president of PastelArtists.ca, and a regular contributing writer to Pastel Journal and Artists Magazine.

About the Artist

Jessica Masters, of Ontario, Canada, received an honors degree in fine art at the University of Guelph. For nearly 30 years, she has worked as a professional artist and instructor in both pastel and oil. She’s a Master Pastelist with the Pastel Artists of Canada. Her work is held in private and corporate collections throughout Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, and is represented by Muse Gallery, in Toronto, Ontario; Water Street Gallery, in Douglas, Mich.; and Crown & Press, in Hamilton, Ontario.