“Kurt Vonnegut” is one of the art pieces in Mason Ellsworth’s “People Who Inspire Me” show, pictured here in a printed card. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — For the second year in a row, Mason Ellsworth will be presenting a show featuring his artwork at Evolve, which will be starting today and continuing through this Sunday.

Mason, a native of Shepherdstown, began creating the paintings in the “People Who Inspire Me” art show, following his first art show premiered in town in 2021. As the show’s title suggests, each piece in it features one of the people who has inspired Mason, according to his mother, Sylvia Ellsworth.

“Last year, he did a show at Evolve that was [about] animals. This year, he started talking about people that inspire him, so that is what we’re calling his series,” Sylvia said in an interview on Friday night. “There are about 16 or 17 originals that he has, of people that have influenced him. So the originals will be for sale, along with prints and cards and calendars, featuring them.”

According to Sylvia, while Mason’s been unable to play the bassoon since he was partially paralyzed 14 years ago, he still holds a deep love for music in his heart, which is why the people featured in his art show are musicians and artists.

“He was in a horrific accident when he was 18, in 2008. Against all odds, he survived and is thriving,” Sylvia said of her 32-year-old son. “Although he no longer plays the bassoon, he is getting back to his [artistic] root in drawing and painting. He has paralysis, so he’s unable to use his right arm, but with his left arm he can paint and draw.

“Recently, in the last six or eight months, he started on this series. But I can see this continuing — he’s really enjoying thinking about his heroes and portraying them. We’ll see! It’s whatever strikes him,” Sylvia said. “He loves all music, so he’s all over the place with his inspirations: Tom York, Carlos Santana, Freddy Mercury, Jeff Buckley, Elvis Costello and Kurt Vonnegut.”

While Mason has always had an appreciation for art, it was only after his accident that he began taking lessons for the first time, from Badgerhound Studio and Gallery co-owner Emily Vaughn.

“He always enjoyed art. He always enjoyed going to museums. He always enjoyed doodling. So when he lost his mobility, he gravitated to it — it was something that spoke to him and he was familiar with,” Sylvia said.

Mason’s musical experience helped him in an unexpected way, Sylvia noted, when only the non dominant side of his body remained mobile, following the crash.

“He’s right handed, but he was a musician — he was a percussionist, he played the bassoon, he played the piano — so he was strong on both sides, fortunately. We’re very, very grateful that he was so strong and his brain was already hardwired to use his left side,” Sylvia said. “He sometimes has tremors, as the result of the accident, and you can see it in the artwork. But I think it works for his style.”

Proceeds from the show will go to the Ellsworth Family Fund, allowing Mason to contribute to paying for his medical needs and equipment.

“It’s ongoing, the costs, because of the equipment. The wheelchair always needs to be repaired. And the insurance? Don’t get me started on that,” Sylvia said. “There are always ongoing medical expenses.”