Thomas Masaryk, Trompe L'oeil Artist

Artist Thomas Masaryk has held a lifelong passion for painting, and over 40 years of rigorous technical expertise in the art field. His specialty is trompe l’oeil painting—French for “to fool the eye”—murals that feature extensive faux marbling and wood graining. Surfaces that were once wood becomes the mirror image of priceless lapis lazuli, and bland plaster transforms into a lush deep walnut. Masaryk has designed and created entire floors of trompe l’oeil as well as exquisite one-of-a-kind custom-made furniture. While this spectacular illusionistic painting is what he is most known for, Masaryk also works in mosaics, gilding (gold leaf) and murals.

At the age of 10, he followed in family tradition and began to apprentice his father, a Master Painter and Decorator. His father, Stephen Masaryk, learned his trade in Czechoslovakia, painting many castles and churches in Prague. In America, some of his work included: 1964 World’s Fair (60 pavilions), United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, United Nations, Dragon Coaster at Rye Beach Playground, Rye, NY, Shubert Theater, and the Central Park Zoo. From his father, Thomas learned over 100 different family recipes for glazes and paints, as well as his foundation for painting. The two continued to work together on various projects.

Thomas Masaryk was formally educated at Art & Design High School, then at the Fashion Institute of Design and Queens College, where here earned his degrees in Fine Arts. He studied under Stephen Csoka, Louis Finkelstein, Charles Cajori, Don Perlis and Robert Pincus-Witten. During his college years, Masaryk apprenticed under sculptor Donald Richard Miller and woodcarver Frank Licitra. 

Masaryk has spent over 40 years as a professional artist, specializing in trompe l’oeil. His artwork spans a variety of projects, from some of the finest townhouses and family estates, to churches, temples, theaters, hospitals and restaurants. Masaryk has spent years as artist-in-residence for a select number of private families, and his work has been featured in over 30 publications, including books, magazines, newspapers and radio. He has taught and lectured, and has been featured in over a dozen gallery exhibitions. Masaryk has worked in Europe, but mostly Manhattan; as well as Westchester, Bergen and Fairfield counties.