Wayne Moseley is a painter who lives in South Brooklyn. I became acquainted with him 23 years ago, when we worked together for a time. We had not seen each other for years, when we chanced to meet in Park Slope, last year. In February he invited me to an informal get together, at his studio, with a few friends. He served crackers, slices of cheese and spicey Italian Sausage with wine. A few of us shared some man talk.
"Bear Grass"Wayne Moseley Charcoal and Acrylic on Paper, 200922" x 30" Wayne Moseley's paintings engulfed us teemingly. I would not have put so many paintings out to show. But there they were, chatting us up, comfortably; a painter's paintings, made by a painters' painter. There was that familiarity of this art I'd never seen before. The rapport was immediate: I sensed Wayne's logic; shared his delight in visual activity; prized that sensuality of paint. We seemed to agree on what questions to ask: does the shape look forcibly filled in, or do its contents fill out a space with ease? Does a given image need the two feet of canvas at the bottom?
"Reader's Flower"
Oil on Canvas, 2005
16" x 20"
I couldn't tell you now the meaning of any of it. I couldn't tell you the meaning of Wayne's titles, though we probably did discuss them. While we drank the wine, laughed with abandon over silly stuff, and reached the point of cursing a bit, the paintings kept us company.
The Realm of Art was just as silly as we were: Wayne told us that some man, who had previously shown no interest in art, had come into his studio and liked a certain painting. Which one? The one with two penises coming out of a pair of pants. I refer you to "Book of Changes #10," below. If you can find the two penises and the pair of pants you get the Freudian Symbol Award, 2009.
"Book of Changes #10"
Oil on Panel, 2007
30" x 22"
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This is great!!! Wow!!! I can't thank you enough!!!
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>My friend Marco has a blog also--I'll see if he can put a link to your blog
>on his
>page. His blog is called Hokum. He works in graphic design/corporate
>identity,
>and has political/pop cultural articles he writes from a designer's POV.
>
>I love what you wrote about the studio evening we shared. You have a great
>sense of humor!
>
>We are due for another studio night--not next weekend, but maybe the one
>after--I'll keep you posted.
>I'd love for everyone to come over again.
>
>Wayne
Thanks for telling me about Hokum -- I remember you mentioned it at the get together. I'll go there and tell you my impression. Glad you like this posting. And, of course, I look forward to the next get together -- and to seeing your latest work.
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