Meet James Moore, Artist | Creator of paintings and sculpture that inspire joy and optimism.

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Moore, Artist and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
In terms of my career as a visual artist, I could die today and feel quite good about what I’ve accomplished so far. From that perspective, every new painting or sculpture I make these days feels like icing on the cake. But my end goal isn’t really about my own art at all. It’s about creating a space where artists can have the time and space to cultivate the professional skills and (most importantly) the mindset to create sustainable art practices. For far too many artists, the idea of having your art support you as a business remains a foreign concept. I’d like to create a space where a different mindset can be cultivated. I’d like that space to continue contributing to the arts community long after I’m gone.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Contrary to many artists’ opinions, I believe art has a purpose. Of course, there’s the purpose of providing an outlet for the artist’s creative impulse, but beyond that, art’s purpose is as varied as there are kinds, styles, and modes of art. I believe that once an artwork leaves the artist’s studio its purpose is to help us connect (or re-connect) with some essential truth of ourselves. I believe that, in doing so, it reaffirms those truths.

In a world awash with and angst-generating headlines, we can benefit from cultivating a greater sense of calm and centeredness in our personal spaces. At a time when divisive rhetoric is the norm, I intend to show, through my paintings and sculpture, that we all have much more in common than we’re often led to believe.

My paintings and sculptures focus on themes and ideas that we can all identify with- no matter our age, gender, or background. It allows people to see some important aspect of themselves reflected in it.

There really was no blueprint for the artist-as-entrepreneur when I was getting started. It’s taken decades to refine my art and purpose. There’s still no blueprint per se, but there are some useful principals, that are widely available to artists. In spite of the dearth of available art business-related information when I was starting out, I was fortunate to have a mother who was quite single-minded in the pursuit of her goals. With little more than a 6th grade education, she managed to own homes and businesses. Her example was a constant reminder that much is possible when you set your mind to it.

That mindset continues to serve me well as, over the last two decades, my studio practice has grown and expanded to include public art projects for companies, institutions, and municipalities on both coasts.

Ultimately, I want my artwork to encourage people to connect with that quiet voice inside, and remember how much we all have in common.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m about an hour outside San Francisco (The City), so that would definitely be on my itinerary. On the drive to there, I’d stop off just across the bay at Oceanview Diner located on 4th street in Berkeley. After plate of huevos rancheros with a side of home fries and extra sour cream, we’d head into the The City for an e-bike ride around golden gate park. At some point we’d stop for lunch at Greens inside Fort Mason. After lunch We’d head over the Golden Gate Bridge to do Sausalito and check out the shops there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Elizabeth Hulings, She’s the founder of the Clark Hulings Foundation. This organization is committed to the belief that art is a business and artists should run it.

Website: https://www.moorecontemporaryart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorecontemporaryart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmoorecontemporaryart/

Image Credits
All images taken and provided by the artist, James Moore/Users/jamesmoore/Desktop/Combined image for landing page.jpg