About Masa Rasa

                                                                               

                                                                                   Apotheosis of the Corn Goddess      oil on linen   84"H x 60"W

Welcome   to the art of  Masa Rasa.  

Masa Rasa Studios was created to share the painting, sculpture, and multimedia artwork of artist James Nichols, featuring  Cornfield - An Artstory. 

About the name . . .  

Masa (mah-sah) is the Spanish word for 'dough' made from Maize, or corn.  It is a grinding staple of life, a nourishing food cultivated for untold generations around the world.   A grain of mysterious origin, Maize was first cultivated in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and is held sacred by the native cultures of the Americas - North, Central, and South.  Amazingly,  Maize is the only grain in nature that cannot propagate itself, it must be planted by human hands.  

Rasa (rah-sah) is the Sanskrit word for 'nectar,' the ambrosial essence of art and aesthetic experience. The Upanishads state that "aesthetic experience is the twin of God."    In that light, Rasa is Divine in nature . . . it's the sweetness in the corn. 

Within the art of Masa Rasa, and with the native understanding that food is God and Grace,  Maize becomes a living symbol for Universal Consciousness with roots in two worlds - that of the natural world, and the world of human effort.

Masa Rasa is both the food and nectar of Spirit . . . a harmonious blend of effort and grace, spiced with uncertainty and sweetened with love. 

                  •       •       •

Masa Rasa  -  Art for Life's sake          

Masa Rasa is not affiliated with any particular philosophy, art movement, religion, spiritual community, or farming cooperative, and welcomes all people with love and respect.           

Cornfield: An Artstory   in the round   -   Digital imaging

Words from a Kindred Spirit . . .

The work on display at Jim Nichols' Cornfield Exhibit reflects a message which is close to the artist's heart.  It is life accepted, both as toil and as radiant beauty.  It is a celebration of life's path, and of the magic and patience and fruit inherent in each seed.  He imbues it all with a sense of the mystical and of the essence from which it all comes and will eventually return.  This is art that asks us to set aside the burden, and to transcend. Cornfield is drawn from the depth and skill of an artist, but foremost from a man who understands the beauty of the journey we all share.

        Zoe Burch   -   Model, Muse, and Mother

                                                                                                           Artwork and design  © James Nichols 1976-2026    All rights reserved