Small Business Sunday: Jesse Mosher Paintings

I've been around art my whole life. My mom happens to be an art teacher, and I've been drawing and painting since I could hold a pencil. It's always been one of my favorite past times, and that hasn't changed. Jesse Mosher is a musician and an artist. He might be one of the most talented painter's I've come across. He specializes in painting other musicians and using repurposed materials. Hopefully, I'll be able to have one of his original paintings in my apartment asap. 

  Etsy Store

1. How long have you been painting?

About 8 years, but I've been selling my art since 1998, they were silkscreens and prints back then 

  2. What materials do you use?

I use house paint, exterior latex enamels mostly. On plywood, almost never on canvas

  3. How do you pick your subjects?

I paint people who inspire me, almost all musicians, but artists, political figures, criminals

   

  4. What inspires you?

I'm inspired by the great rock n roll performers, the Ramones, Joan Jett, The Stooges, mostly

  5. What's your creative process?

I don't make sketches, or studies, just find a photo or video still that I could see being a good painting, sketch it out on the primed wood, bring it to a show at a club and paint it as fast as I can, in semi darkness, rocking out.

  6. How long does one piece usually take?

Pieces usually take 40 mins to an hour, some take several hours, and a few a year, large detailed challenging ones take up to 70 hrs.

7. Where do you sell your work?

I sell my paintings at rock n roll shows, through Etsy, out of my loft, and art shows, through facebook

  8. What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? 

My biggest accomplishment by far is touring and painting with CJ Ramone from the Ramones, last November we went to Colombia and did 2 shows, Cali and Medellin, and I have painted at 6 of his shows in all, in NY and CA. I recently painted at, and co-filmed a documentary on the making of his new album in LA last month. I am learning so much about a level of intensity and a higher standard of powerful art from him, much more than I've ever been able to conjure on my own.

  9. What has been your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge has been to find acceptance for my art. my way of going about it is intimidating to people who cant find a box to put it in. I have sold a lot, with the prints over 14,500 signed pieces, but it is very very different from other peoples art, so Im not part of any movement. my performing style is agressive, loud, and gets paint on some people near me so... 

  10. Are you able to support yourself just from your art?

I've made alot and spent alot. It pays bills and rent alot, but i work some every month to get by. in the past it was my only income for months to years, but it always crashed and it took a real toll on me. The last time was 2008-2010. I was pretty sick. Its more important to be healthy, and make art regularly, than to go all 

out and crash.