Tom Mosser
artist
Biography
A 2005 medical report by the United Nations claims that 3 percent of the world’s population is ambidextrous:
Pittsburgh artist Tom Mosser is in that special group.
The idea of using both hands for drawing and painting was inspired by playing basketball as a kid. He calls it “Ambidextrous Impressionism”. In some situations he paints with both hands at the same time for greater efficiency or to create a look that he can’t quite achieve using just one. At other times he rotates the brush or pen to either hand. “It’s like being two people.”, he says. “And when I paint at the same time it’s like a third artist is created. He is constantly experimenting with techniques and themes and has focused recently on his fine art based Warrior, heART and At the Museum series.
“The idea of using both hands for drawing and painting was inspired by playing basketball and drums as a kid. It just makes sense,” Mosser says. In some situations he paints with both hands at the same time for greater efficiency or to create a look that he can’t quite achieve using just one.
He explains the role of both hands. “My left hand is a little looser, my Italian side. My right hand is more rigid, my German side. When they come together, it’s not a gimmick.
It’s an artistic style. He says, ” I paint with both hands in all of my performance art work.” Tom will often record himself creating acrylic and oil paintings while painting and dancing to different kinds of music. “I let the music move me whether it be Mile Davis or Cold Play. It is always compelling to see how they turn out.” The former Pirate Parrot mascot will include each video to buyers of the paintings as well making for true conversation pieces!
But the star of the series though is a dog. Tom’s 3 year-old Golden Retriever, Lucas, that is. The painting entitled, “A Golden Retriever at the Museum” has become a bit of a viral and media sensation since the Facebook page debuted in March following it’s public unveiling at the New York Art Expo. Says Tom, “I started receiving emails from all over the world and some were quite emotional. People were sharing the image on Facebook and it just took off. The piece really struck a chord with people and it’s so gratifying.”
Mosser’s best known work may be his sports related art. He says, “For whatever reason, I’ve always been drawn to rendering the human form. Since I was a child I’ve followed sports and played sports so the two go hand in hand. Clients don’t need to babysit me with an assignment. I know the language.” His agent for sports related work is Tracie Speca of Sports and the Arts (www.sportart.net<http://www.sportart.net/>). Speca curated Yankee Stadium, Prudential Center Arena (New Jersey), Amway Center (Orlando) and currently is working on the Miami Marlins new Stadium.
Mosser contributed 36 pieces to Prudential Arena, home of the New Jersey Devils. One of his most striking pieces at the Newark New Jersey arena is a 30ft. by 200ft. mural called “The Mural”. In addition to the mural he created more than 30 individual pieces for the Prudential project. Tom also created 50 pieces for the Orlando Magic’s Amway Center Arena. Inspired by the famous work of Leonardo Davinci, Mosser’s signature piece at Amway is the life size Dwight Howard “Vitruvian Man”.