Mason Mastroianni has always been passionate about art. Born with one of those rare artistic gifts, Mason was seldom seen without pen and paper as a child. Growing up, Mason worked to hone and test his talent by entering and winning many local and state art competitions.
Mason attended illustration courses at the Rhode Island School of Design, then enrolled in The DAVE School (Digital Animation and Visual Effects) in Orlando. Upon graduation, he took a position as a CG animator in Minneapolis. Mason’s work at Wet Cement Productions earned the company an Emmy award for computer graphic animation.
When his grandfather, Johnny Hart passed away in 2007, Mason returned home to upstate NY, to draw, write and carry on Johnny’s legacy.
Mason’s combination of raw talent and early exposure to the cartooning world through his “Pops”, made him by far the best candidate to carry on the comic strips, B.C. and Wizard of Id.
In 2004 while living in Orlando and volunteering at the SPCA, Mick created his own comic strip, Dogs of C-Kennel, based upon the lovable pooches he encountered.
Upon moving back to NY, and with his grandfather Johnny Hart as his mentor, Mick rounded out his characters and ideas, and in February 2007, Creators began featuring Dogs of C-Kennel on their web site as a comic strip in development.
When Hart passed away and Mason returned home to take over his duties, Mick asked him to come on board as illustrator and help further develop the look of the dogs. On October 4, 2010, Dogs of C-Kennel was launched by Creators.
Patti works behind the scenes on the operational demands of the business. As the fan mail answerer, the Facebook and web site commentor, and the packaging and shipping director of your book and print orders, she somehow manages to keep it all together!