A Brief Biography by Roberta West
Howard was born, "Carl Stuart Masterson" on the 15th June 1962 at Paddington Hospital - London. His birthmother was unable to take care of him and he was adopted one month later. He spent most of his childhood in the South East of England until, at around the age of 14, his family moved to Cornwall.
Howard immediately fell in love with the sea and became an
avid surfer, chasing waves wherever they could be found. His love of the
ocean continued throughout his life.
He once told me what fascinated him so completely. He said, "When
I'm out on my board and the energy of the ocean is moving me, I feel at
home. The ocean is a part of me and I'm part of it."
Howard's childhood was a double-edged sword. After moving to Cornwall, where his father worked in the family hotel business, although he never took part himself, he was seen as having, "A Privileged Life" by some. This "hotelier's son" image, he spent most of his life trying to shake off.
Howard was a husband, friend, lover, and father and throughout his life an artist. His life was blessed with much love, but privileges were thin on the ground, as most true artist's lives are.
He worked in various capacities for his family over the years. A local contractor employed him during much reconstruction work of the local harbour and beach in Newquay, where Howard lived for most of his Life. He helped in the installation of a water filter system at Towan Beach, designed to stop the sand from being drawn out to sea. He played a part in the preservation of the beach and when we walk on it today, it is with pride.
Howard ran his own gardening business during the early 90's and he incorporated his Artistic talent into this work. He had a life long love of nature and was deeply influenced by Richard Long and Robert Smithson, who were Contemporary Sculptor's of their time. All his life Howard left his Art creations in the beauty of the Natural Landscape.
A favorite game he used to play with his children, whilst walking on the local beaches, was to collect found objects and create sculptures along the cliff face. Howard loved stone and created extraordinary sights of balancing stones, each precariously placed on top of one another.
Sometimes, he liked to walk ahead and watch, as others came upon his curious apparitions. That, to Howard, was art. He finally decided to formalize his abilities in 1995 by attending Falmouth School of Art. He followed this with a three year Degree in Fine Art at the University of Plymouth, based at Exeter, from which he graduated with honors in 2000.
After graduation he designed the most ambitious Land Art Project of his Artistic Life. The project involves creating a raised platform structure around a marshy inaccessible lake area, of natural beauty. The Art takes the form of a growing flower hugging the lake. The final creation would incorporate a Sensory Garden and Sculpture Park which will allow access to all, whilst conserving the natural beauty of the site.
Howard died before he was able to complete this project. The Howard West Foundation is seeking funds to move the project forward and to provide a lasting memorial.
During his time at Art College and University, Howard searched for and found his birth mother and family, a relationship which continued until the end of his life.
A photomontage Howard created incorporating a piece of his land art.
Howard had many loves in his life including, nature, music, art, his friends and above all, his family. We spent 23 years together and faced many difficulties and successes. We have three fine boys, George, Kim and Ross, who we consider our greatest success. We were soul mates and loved each other completely, for the whole of our lives together and I know our love will stand the test of time, until we meet again.
Howard was an Artist with many facets to his talents. He worked in many mediums and his Art always reflected his own life and emotions. Howard put himself and the people in his life into his Art. Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dali, De Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Constantine Brancusi, Cathy Demanche, Robert Smithson Richard Long and many more, influenced his work.
Surrealism, Abstraction, Expressionism and Impressionism, are the keys which explain Howard's work and link the pieces together. Howard would never compromise his Art and he created because he was inspired to create. His work is unique and brilliant and remains as a legacy.
Howard was very charismatic and had a heart of gold. He was kind, selflessly generous, devastatingly funny, charming, very loyal and over brimming with talent.
Howard died suddenly and tragically in a car accident on 28th August 2002. He was an Enigma in Life and may not be here now, but his work has a presence of its own, his presence, which he left for all to enjoy and explore.
He will always remain a shining star in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Our loss is Heaven's Gain.
A Reason
Why has this happened?
All I can say,
is what I have learned,
since I lost my love,
on that Tragic day.
Which is,
"not to question why?
because,
life is like an apple pie,
you eat your slice
and then,
you die".
Howard had a huge Appetite for life
and he ate,
Until he was full!
Roberta West