At twenty-two years old, Devin Masga embarked on a life changing journey: he moved from his comfortable and familiar life in the San Francisco Bay Area, across 2,905 miles east to the unknown boroughs of New York City. Masga wanted to find himself as a person, but most importantly as an artist. Growing up, he always had a passion for the arts: from his drawings and paintings, to his photography–he never felt limited. But because of his interests in various art forms, his portfolio lacked focus.
Moving to New York City, Masga would continue searching for his true passion while meeting other artists attempting to do the same. He became inspired by the art all around him. Masga began capturing it as motivation to continue living in a city that was a different type of wild than he was used to. As time passed, he began exploring the vastly different areas of his new home and taking photos of what he saw to show, not only his friends back home, but the world.
Within several months, Masga looked through his portfolio and realized he had in fact found his focus with captured images of a vagabond cross country move and an urban New York City life. He had a story to tell. With his family and friends back home curious to hear how the New York life was treating him, he held his first art show which showcased the differences of a comfortable west coast lifestyle and the unfamiliar, at times scary, voyage of his east coast journey.
Through his art show, he connected with a local artist and combined talents to ultimately create a social movement within the urban community. #BeAwesomeToSomebody was simply about kindness towards the homeless people in Masga's community, but it ended up getting recognition by the Huffington Post which helped create international buzz. Masga captured the movement #BeAwesomeToSomebody with his lens and his photographs were all over various social media platforms, as well as daytime talks shows, and most notably the New York Times.
As time passed, Masga's portfolio grew in focus and in depth. His eye for shots and detail became stronger and allowed his photography and art to improve beyond what he could have imagined. He had more confidence in his ability, but most importantly in his passion, which made it easier to connect and develop relationships with other local artists. The move to New York City opened his eyes to what an artist is truly capable of; what he was capable of. Masga had the realization that art didn't have to be a hobby, but instead had the potential to be his career. Although he decided to move back to the bay area, Masga's passion with art hasn't stopped. In fact, it has increased with more focus, drive, and heart than ever before.
Artist Statement
Devin Masga is a photographer and painter known for his bright vibrant colors and the different layers he uses on top of each other. His works are comprised of many different colored layers demonstrating his interaction with a canvas in the moment. The series of paintings all nod to certain periods of Masga’s life that brings years of intensity, joy, spirituality, conflict and resolution to the canvas. Masga begins each new work by stretching his canvas on the floor. Primarily working with spray paint, acrylic and oil pastels, he creates different shapes and layers, discovering relationships between the colors and the unexpected structures.
IG: @Devin_Masga
DevinMasgaPhotography@gmail.com
San Francisco, CA