Masters graduated from the University of Iowa art school where he received a BA, MA, and MFA.

His work is often described as painstakingly detailed, with subject matter ranging from nature scenes and architectural representations to the somber aspects of city life and homelessness.

[8] This program brought artists with expertise in visual arts to enrich and elevate the design of coins for the US Mint.

[14] One of his designs,[15] featuring a Samoa flying fox, a species of fruit bat, representing the National Park of American Samoa, was central to conspiracy theories that the United States government was involved in the dissemination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic.

[17][18] Masters retired from teaching in 2015, and now lives in New York City with his wife, MeeWha Alana Lee.