Light, Space, and the Art of Seeing Beyond.
McKay Otto is an artist who challenges the limits of perception. Based just outside of Austin, Texas, Otto spent decades refining a practice that is as much about spiritual exploration as it is about painting. Widely recognized for his ethereal paintings and sculptures that play with translucency and depth, Otto has exhibited in renowned institutions and collections. He invites us to step beyond the material world and into a realm of light, color, and transcendence. We had the privilege of visiting his studio and discovering the place behind the masterpieces.
A Lesson in Stillness: Learning from Agnes Martin
Otto’s journey as an artist was shaped by his time with Agnes Martin, whose meditative approach to painting influenced his pursuit of serenity and precision. He found a mentor in Martin, whose grid-based works sought order and clarity. But where Martin had confined to the two-dimensional plane, Otto pivoted. He extended the grid into new dimensions, using layered materials and light to create what he calls “the unseen and non-physical dimensions of our lives.” From her, he learned the discipline of simplicity, the power of restraint, and the pursuit of something beyond the material world. While his work has different stylistic techniques from Martin’s grids and muted tones, it shares the same dedication–stripping away distractions and focusing on what exists beyond the surface.
Materials as Medium
Unlike traditional paintings, Otto’s works don’t just appear to glow in the daylight—they actually illuminate when the lights are turned off. Using phosphorescent paint and synthetic materials specifically designed for figure skaters’ costumes, he creates pieces that shift depending on perception. This idea creates an ethereal presence within his work. One of the only artists working with fully translucent canvases, he builds his surfaces in layers, using sheer fabric and specialized paints. By day, they offer quiet contemplation; in darkness, they emit an ethereal glow. This play with light and perception aligns with his belief that great art should transport viewers into new dimensions. And the finished piece offers a dynamic experience that moves beyond a static image.
Painting the Unseen
Otto’s approach to painting is as unique as his materials, emphasizing the importance of patience and stillness in his art. Inspired by the Tao Te Ching, he believes that creativity comes from slowing down and allowing a higher power to move through him. His paintings are built slowly, layer by layer, often over long periods. He describes this as a process of discovery rather than execution–allowing the work to evolve organically. There is a deep trust in the unknown, a willingness to let the piece reveal itself over time. In a world that moves quickly, Otto’s art asks us to pause, to look deeper, and to embrace the sensation of seeing beyond the surface.
Messages from Beyond
For McKay Otto, art is not simply about aesthetics but a form of spirituality. His works contain subtle symbols and messages that only reveal themselves in the dark. He says these images come to him in dreams, often speak to universal truths, and are influenced by his philosophical and metaphysical explorations. Inspired by the seven chakras and ideas of spiritual energy, these messages and symbols stay invisible until the lights go out —much like how deeper truths often take time to uncover. Through these geometric forms and patterns, color fields, and the balance of light and shadow, Otto intends to communicate ideas of interconnectedness, impermanence, and the unseen forces that shape our existence.
The glow of phosphorescent pigments, the layered translucency of his materials, or the quiet spiritual resonance embedded in his process, Otto’s art reminds us that perception is ever-shifting and that true seeing requires more than just the eyes.
To inquire about his work, email info@cocollect.art
