Nationally renowned illustrator and portrait artist Fred Ronald Mason, 90, passed away peacefully at his home on September 16, in Greenwich, CT.
Fred, a resident of Greenwich for 66 years, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1932 to Sarah Alice Pugh and Fred Ely Mason. He spent his childhood and early adult years in Salt Lake, becoming, at the time, the youngest Eagle Scout in Utah. Fred began drawing seriously when he was five years old and by the age of 14, was being paid for his art work. A job as staff artist on the Salt Lake City Tribune newspaper helped support his education at the University of Utah where he participated as a member of the ski team, Sigma Nu Fraternity and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The University of Utah was also where he met his wife of 64 years, Suzanne Bradford. Fred continued his studies at the School of Visual Arts, the Art Students League, the Brooklyn Museum Art School and New York University.
Fred’s artistic talent was recognized by the United States Navy, which had accepted him for Officer Candidate School during the Korean War. Admiral Arleigh Burke, Commander of the U.S. Destroyer Force Atlantic Fleet, arranged for Fred to be assigned to his staff as a Communications Watch Officer with additional art related duties and projects. When his tour of duty, which took him to San Diego, Japan, Hong Kong and Newport, RI ended, Sue and Fred moved to Greenwich. Fred submitted a portfolio to the preeminent commercial art studio in NYC, Charles E. Cooper Studio, thus beginning what became a distinguished career as a free-lance commercial artist. His mentors at Coopers, Joe Bowler, Joe De Mers, Bob McCall and Coby Whitmore were the best in the industry. Fred produced works for many publications and corporations including Life, The Saturday Evening Post, Reader’s Digest, Sports Illustrated and General Electric as well as album covers for various musicians including Ella Fitzgerald. Accepted for membership in the prestigious Society of Illustrators, Fred was the recipient of numerous awards for his work.
Fred had a number of important commissions for the United States Air Force Art Collection, which sent him to bases around the world to make a permanent artistic record of the work the Air Force was doing. His study that shows F-4 Phantom Jets streaking over an ancient temple in Thailand on their return from a successful mission over North Vietnam now hangs in the Pentagon. Fred often recalled the experience of flying in the backseat of a fighter-bomber in Vietnam piloted by Triple Ace pilot General Robin Olds, as part of the research for a portrait commission of the General which also currently hangs in the Pentagon.
Fred was among a group of artists including Jamie Wyeth, Peter Hurd and Bob McCall who NASA and the Air Force invited to Cape Kennedy to record, each in his own way, the historic Apollo 11 mission launch.
By the late 1960’s Fred dedicated himself full-time to portraiture. Fred’s style, which he called contemporary realism, is specific and contained, with a palette reminiscent of the Impressionists. Among his subjects are many corporate executives as well as university, school and museum heads, trustees and benefactors. He has also painted portraits of families and individuals, often with the family pets included. In line with his long-time interest in horses, he made a sub-specialty of equine paintings. Today, his work hangs in a variety of important institutions and private collections around the world.
Fred was a founding member of Twelve on Thursday, a bi-monthly artists, writers and cartoonists luncheon that included noted members Jerry Dumas, Franklin Heller, John Cullen Murphy, Herman Raucher, and Charles Saxon, among others. The group would meet to share professional observations, career updates and countless stories and jokes.
Known as a truly humble and kind soul, Fred adored his grandchildren, children and wife and will be greatly missed by them and his various communities including the Round Hill Community Church and The Belle Haven Club.
Fred was predeceased by his wife Suzanne and is survived by his daughters Randi Mason and Whitney (Dan) Fried, and son Brad Mason; his five grandchildren, Mason Ziluca, Courtney Ziluca, Connor Mason, Elise Fried and Davis Fried; a sister and his nieces and nephews. A memorial service will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Fred’s memory to The Round Hill Community Church, 395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich, CT 06831 (or call 203-869-1091) where contributions will be utilized towards Art Works! at RHCC. A program of artistic enrichment to inspire your creative spirit!
