About the Author
David J. Masters first arrived in Old Town Key West in the 1970s expecting only a change of scenery. Instead, he found a community that felt like home. The people he met there—and the nights they shared—became the foundation of Memories of Key West.
After leaving the island, he spent many years in Washington, DC, working as a paralegal while running Master Pieces, a studio and gallery in historic Leesburg, Virginia. He welcomed students from across the United States and abroad, developed his own art curriculum, created instructional paintings, and introduced a line of artist’s brushes. His work appeared in newspapers, books, and magazines.
He now lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he writes, paints, and designs original pieces inspired by the people and places that shaped him. His forthcoming memoir, The Lives I’ve Lived, includes the years at Master Pieces.
From the world of Memories of Key West
Mallory Square, The Monster, and La te da are just a few of the places that fill the nights in Memories of Key West.
Mallory Square – The dock where I played tambourine with Rita and three conga players nearly every evening, nights of music and sea air I share in my book.
The Monster – Studio 54’s rival in Key West, a disco and restaurant that drew famous faces and unforgettable nights I write about in Memories of Key West.
Albert - A polydactyl cat who lived with me in Key West. His six-toed paws carried him through many of the moments I write about in these chapters.
Folk art village scene on wood box with hand-painted faux burl finish — This piece demonstrates the decorative painting and faux finishing techniques taught at Master Pieces, where students learned both fine art and professional decorative arts skills.
Master Pieces in historic Leesburg, Virginia, where David developed his own curriculum and taught painting techniques from beginner folk art to advanced fine art, welcoming students from across the United States and abroad.
Classical botanical study, showing the dimensional form and delicate tonal transitions that were central to the fine art curriculum at Master Pieces.
Memories of Key West is available in Kindle and hardcover. Step into the people, places, and unforgettable nights of Old Town Key West.