FEATURED ARTIST - JULY; RON MOSS

Anna Shaw 7726 posts

I am delighted to introduce Ron Moss as our new Featured Artist.

Ron Moss is a Tasmanian visual artist, poet and lover of haiku. His poetry has won international awards and been translated into several languages. Ron’s art is sold as limited edition-prints and originals. He has been featured in poetry journals and has designed several book covers.

I love his work and if I could afford it – would be a keen collecter!!

Here, Ron tells us about himself, his motivations and his work…

1. Can you tell us something about yourself and your background?
I live and work in Tasmania, a small Island State of Australia. A wonderful wild place filled with beautiful scenery and wilderness areas. This influences my creative expression very much and it inspires every day. I work in a government department that looks after all the heritage collections and archives of Tasmania, my roles are to record and preserve these through digital capture techniques. I have also been a volunteer fire-fighter for almost twelve years in a busy local brigade and I have been involved in fighting major fires in several states of Australia. I find this a tremendously rewarding job and I would recommended community volunteering to everyone who is able. I’m also a widely published haiku poet which I enjoy very much.

I consider myself a student of the Zen arts, which have fascinated me from an early age. To me, the path of making art and writing poetry is one of self-exploration. When I create, it’s the sum of all the experiences and the explorations I have made in my life so far. To quote haiku master Basho, when asked about what we create, it is ‘the scent of a particular human life’.

This current collection is what I would call ‘Digital Printmaking’ or ‘Painting With Light’. The process allows me to work with several techniques I’m interested in. Using advanced software I’m able to bring together various digitised elements, my own photography, scanned elements, and a variety of mixed media.

2. What excites you about your art work?
Humankind has been making picture marks as a form of writing since early times. In eastern art, poetry and inspirational writings are often accompanied with beautiful flowing brushwork that compliments the words. I often work in this way, and sometimes the pictorial elements of my images are poems as well, and they can follow a narrative theme. I am excited by the opportunity to be able to push the boundaries of creativity through modern digital techniques, using many forms of media in an instant way where I can change directions quickly. The next artwork is always the most exciting and I love running with an idea and taking it in many directions.

3. What mediums do you use – and which is your favorite?

I love using all types of media and I’m always trying different ones to push my skills in other directions. I love painting and I enjoy watercolour and ink and by scanning and photographing these I also like to build up many layers in Photoshop, including a lot of texture which I’m always collecting. I then work on the blending modes of layers to bring out colour and light. It always begins with an idea and I try to go in many directions and I work fairly quickly. My love of photography allows me to record different moments and use parts of images to create another expression.

4. What/Who are your main influences?
I enjoy the Zen arts and they are a major influence on my life. I try to bring a sense of inner self and contemplation into my work. Moments of stillness are important in our very busy lives and my path is to practice the way of art and haiku poetry. The masters of these eastern and western contemplative arts are very much an influence of me and I thank all those that have gone before and I’m continually learning from their body of work.

5. Are there any recurring themes running through your work?
Themes of life and death and self reflection, I see art and creativity as a way of development and it has been this way since our very beginnings in history

6. Is there anything else that you would like people to know about you or your work?
Only that we are changing all the time, I like to keep pushing my comfort levels and learn from everything around me. There is design and creativity everywhere in nature and manmade things. The Japanese esthetics of wabi and sabi are something I hold true – the beauty and wonder of the things imperfect and unique unto themselves.

7. What advice do you have for other emerging artists?
Do what inspires you; life is so short, don’t waste any time. If it becomes a chore, you should be doing something else. Don’t expect others to be excited about your work if you aren’t.

8. How does your art change you?
Changes are often difficult to notice and appreciate – sometimes we need to stop and take a good look at how far we have come. Times of contemplation can allow you the space and calmness of mind to attune yourself to your inner voice. I know my work is in constant change and I can feel myself becoming more aware of my surroundings and hopefully mindful of my actions, which can only be a positive thing.*8

8. Finally could you send me a link to the image that you like the most from your PF – and reasons why?

I often feel my last artwork is my best until the next one happens, perhaps a nice way of moving forward and not getting comfortable. The latest image is L I F E and carries a lot of the things I have tried, rather poorly I think, to explain in this interview. Themes of life and death and the wonder of being a part of the universe and not separate from it. Some people find my small figures and a vast landscape scary but to me it is the opposite and I feel reassured in being part of the wonder of life.

almost 2 years ago Anna Shaw 7726 posts	I am delighted to introduce Ron Moss as our new Featured Artist. Ron Moss is a Tasmanian visual artist, poet and lover of haiku. His poetry has won international awards and been translated into several languages. Ron’s art is sold as limited edition-prints and originals. He has been featured in poetry journals and has designed several book covers. I love his work and if I could afford it – would be a keen collecter!! Here, Ron tells us about himself, his motivations and his work… 1. Can you tell us something about yourself and your background? I live and work in Tasmania, a small Island State of Australia. A wonderful wild place filled with beautiful scenery and wilderness areas. This influences my creative expression very much and it inspires every day. I work in a government department that looks after all the heritage collections and archives of Tasmania, my roles are to record and preserve these through digital capture techniques. I have also been a volunteer fire-fighter for almost twelve years in a busy local brigade and I have been involved in fighting major fires in several states of Australia. I find this a tremendously rewarding job and I would recommended community volunteering to everyone who is able. I’m also a widely published haiku poet which I enjoy very much. I consider myself a student of the Zen arts, which have fascinated me from an early age. To me, the path of making art and writing poetry is one of self-exploration. When I create, it’s the sum of all the experiences and the explorations I have made in my life so far. To quote haiku master Basho, when asked about what we create, it is ‘the scent of a particular human life’. This current collection is what I would call ‘Digital Printmaking’ or ‘Painting With Light’. The process allows me to work with several techniques I’m interested in. Using advanced software I’m able to bring together various digitised elements, my own photography, scanned elements, and a variety of mixed media. 2. What excites you about your art work? Humankind has been making picture marks as a form of writing since early times. In eastern art, poetry and inspirational writings are often accompanied with beautiful flowing brushwork that compliments the words. I often work in this way, and sometimes the pictorial elements of my images are poems as well, and they can follow a narrative theme. I am excited by the opportunity to be able to push the boundaries of creativity through modern digital techniques, using many forms of media in an instant way where I can change directions quickly. The next artwork is always the most exciting and I love running with an idea and taking it in many directions. 3. What mediums do you use – and which is your favorite? I love using all types of media and I’m always trying different ones to push my skills in other directions. I love painting and I enjoy watercolour and ink and by scanning and photographing these I also like to build up many layers in Photoshop, including a lot of texture which I’m always collecting. I then work on the blending modes of layers to bring out colour and light. It always begins with an idea and I try to go in many directions and I work fairly quickly. My love of photography allows me to record different moments and use parts of images to create another expression. 4. What/Who are your main influences? I enjoy the Zen arts and they are a major influence on my life. I try to bring a sense of inner self and contemplation into my work. Moments of stillness are important in our very busy lives and my path is to practice the way of art and haiku poetry. The masters of these eastern and western contemplative arts are very much an influence of me and I thank all those that have gone before and I’m continually learning from their body of work. 5. Are there any recurring themes running through your work? Themes of life and death and self reflection, I see art and creativity as a way of development and it has been this way since our very beginnings in history 6. Is there anything else that you would like people to know about you or your work? Only that we are changing all the time, I like to keep pushing my comfort levels and learn from everything around me. There is design and creativity everywhere in nature and manmade things. The Japanese esthetics of wabi and sabi are something I hold true – the beauty and wonder of the things imperfect and unique unto themselves. 7. What advice do you have for other emerging artists? Do what inspires you; life is so short, don’t waste any time. If it becomes a chore, you should be doing something else. Don’t expect others to be excited about your work if you aren’t. 8. How does your art change you? Changes are often difficult to notice and appreciate – sometimes we need to stop and take a good look at how far we have come. Times of contemplation can allow you the space and calmness of mind to attune yourself to your inner voice. I know my work is in constant change and I can feel myself becoming more aware of my surroundings and hopefully mindful of my actions, which can only be a positive thing.8 8. Finally could you send me a link to the image that you like the most from your PF – and reasons why?* I often feel my last artwork is my best until the next one happens, perhaps a nice way of moving forward and not getting comfortable. The latest image is L I F E and carries a lot of the things I have tried, rather poorly I think, to explain in this interview. Themes of life and death and the wonder of being a part of the universe and not separate from it. Some people find my small figures and a vast landscape scary but to me it is the opposite and I feel reassured in being part of the wonder of life. L I F E by Ron Moss
almost 2 years ago Anna Shaw 7726 posts	Here are six of my all time favourites from Ron’s portfolio. The rich colours, the deep textures and the profound messages in each one, really do stir my emotions. Heaven’s Tree of Life by Ron Moss Truck Stop Hell, near Margate, Tasmania by Ron Moss redbubble boy by Ron Moss years to go . . . by Ron Moss Hand In Hand by Ron Moss Wildness by Ron Moss
almost 2 years ago Anna Shaw 7726 posts	Please do join in the celebrations here for Ron, by adding your favourites from his gallery. xx Anna
almost 2 years ago RosaCobos 341 posts	Well first of all..and due to my enthusiasm…I must express my joy for having found such a profound and interesting soul in here. Not that there are not. But Ron is sharing with me the love for the Zen philosophy and the love for art and Haiku poetic expression. i congratulate him for being here, as a featured artist, really deserved honor I can tell, but mostly I congratulate for his precise and wonderful way of expressing his art. Quite related to the Taoist masters, only with much more colourful. There is passion in it, and though a excelse sence of peace, simplicity and energy that comes from the core of the Earth-Soul. Those solitary figures are for me exceptional. It is showing ahumbleness of attitude but an implicit show of his person (not persona), being there as a witness and as a seed of all that is transformed in our beings along our lives. I will for certain visit his “realm” and get back here, with my “favourites”…but this cannot be done without really diving into them with joy and a relaxed mind. I appreciate very much his explanations about his source of elements, and art that are appearing. I feel encouraged following his advices that are more eternal truths..for life is not certainly for being wasted in speculations but for expresse our possibilities and see how these appear the more we forget what we had learnt and are ready to learn what we really want to know. And love this about not expecting anyone love our own art when we cannot be enthusiastic of it ourselves…perfectly right!!! So glad to have meet you Ron. Thanks Ann for contributing for our mutual knowledge and self-love. A hug. Rosa
almost 2 years ago scott black 234 posts	Hey Ron Big congrats on your feature! love your colourful work and im proud and honoured to be next to you as a featured artist!!
almost 2 years ago Cindy Schnackel 2872 posts	Ron, Congratulations! Cindy
almost 2 years ago restlessd 4427 posts	I am so bad!!!!! I have come here twice to say congrats & to leave a nice message with selections of my favorite pieces by Ron… Only to go to select a few and get so side-tracked off to look at all of his art and then forget to come back…. So, here I am for third time and I promise to finish my note. I am fortunate enough to co-host this group so I got a first glimpse a new submission and I love it…. Here it is Time and Tide by Ron Moss I love this one… it is so beautiful in its simplicity and the tiny man walking his dog creates an expansive beauty… the texturing is exquisit. Love it And then this one Heaven and Earth by Ron Moss This watercolor is stunning… I love the beauty of the foggy skies and the blues are so soothing. One more: Dream Runner by Ron Moss - this one is my current favorite… It has an eerie, spooky feel… is the runner running to or from something? Love it… Congrats again Ron, great choice Anna – well deserved Ron… ♥Rhonda
almost 2 years ago Ron Moss 20 posts	Thanks to everyone for their generous comments and especially to Anna and Rhonda for thier support and taking the time to select work from my growing portfolio. It means a lot to me, and just when I think I might chuck it all in and go away and throw some paint at a canvas somewhere …I’m drawn back to the wonderful community at RB and the fun and inspiration of mixed media and digital art. All good things… Ron
almost 2 years ago Anna Shaw 7726 posts	You are so welcome Ron, it has been a pleasure. I was moderating and saw this little beauty… Red Feather by Ron Moss How gorgeous it is.
almost 2 years ago restlessd 4427 posts	Oh I agree Anna… I didn’t see this… It is NOW MY NEW FAVORITE…. Stunning in it’s simplicity and actually, very moving to me…. love it… And I love it Ron, that you were about to chuck it all in and go away but changed your mind because of the encouragement from Anna & other admirers. To know that makes this just the best; The best feeling, the best validation of the time Anna & I put into this group, the best day…. Thank you for that… Sincerely, ♥Rhonda ^{Jul 15}
almost 2 years ago Anna Shaw 7726 posts	I share Rhond’s sentiment totally dear Ron. You are far, far too good to chuck it all in!! BTW Rhonda – I LOVE your choices.
almost 2 years ago restlessd 4427 posts	Thank you Anna. . . I think both of our featured artists are having a burst of creativity and I just love that…. hugz, Rhonda
almost 2 years ago Anna Shaw 7726 posts	Park Moon by Ron Moss Stunning!!!!
almost 2 years ago restlessd 4427 posts	Wow, Ron… you really do have a beautiful eye for imagery. This one is as Anna says, Stunning!!! xox
almost 2 years ago Ron Moss 20 posts	Thanks again Ladies, your both an inspiration and hopefully my creativity can continue :-) in admiration, Ron
almost 2 years ago F.A. Moore 26088 posts	I adore Ron’s work. Your new work is looking great, Ron! Congrats on being the featured artist, here. Your digital work and watercolors are both top notch. Oh my gosh, don’t leave us at RB without you. You’re inspired and inspired artists need to stick together.
almost 2 years ago rodeorose 1669 posts	Hi Ron- just discovering your work now- congratulations on having been featured- your work is so beautifully serene. These two pieces I find exceptionally beuatiful and original: . Outstanding pf- congratulations Ron on an amazing talent!!

Altered by Imagination (! 3 per 24 Hours !)

To create imaginative works of art by altering photographs, images and / illustrations through Photoshop, collage or any illustrative material.

FEATURED ARTIST - JULY; RON MOSS