Culpeper, Virginia, September 25, 2017
- The artist, P. Buckley Moss was asked how long it takes for her to paint a picture. "My whole life," she said. For Pat, it is this lifelong passion and belief that is expressed in her work, giving us a collection of art that is filled with a lifetime of experiences: from her Irish-Italian heritage to her urban art school education, the laughter of her children, and the simplicity of birds flying south for the winter.
As a dyslexic, Pat's art is paradoxically a refuge and a means of communication. Very early in life, when she failed at everything else in school, her art became her solace. What talent she lacked academically was more than made up for through art; whereas some people succeed in spite of a disability, Pat believes she thrives because of her disability.
As a young mother Pat moved her family south and increasingly found inspiration in the imagery of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, becoming captivated by the life and culture of the Amish and Mennonite people of the area. She embraced the local landscapes, lifestyles, and traditions and felt that the life and culture she was part of held an important message for modern society: live simply and enjoy every moment!
Pat's art s
eems to "speak" a language that ordinary folks are able to understand. Talent, determination, intelligibility, a little luck, and lots of caring are all parts of the Moss phenomenon. These are the attributes that constitute Moss' life and fill her art. For many who know her work and are familiar with her life and her upbeat philosophy, she truly is "THE PEOPLE'S ARTIST".
