The renowned American folk artist, “Grandma Moses”, was probably one of the most famous people to have ever lived in Washington County.
What many people do not know is that her great-grandson, Will Moses, carries on her wonderful legacy and is a painter and artist extraordinaire in his own right. He lives and paints in southern Washington County in the town of Eagle Bridge.
You can check out his artwork at: www.willmoses.com and also visit his Mt. Nedo Gallery on 60 Grandama Moses Road. It’s about 40 minutes from Huletts in southern Washington County. If you’re interested in good art, he also has a catalog which features his original work. Call 800-328-6326 and he’ll send you one.
Will was kind enough to take the time to do an interview with us. We always like to promote Washington County businesses because we’re all in this together.
Grandma Moses is an iconic figure in American art. While she died in 1961, do you have any family stories or memories that would tell our readers a little bit about her?
“Grandma passed away when I was fairly young. However she was such a focal point of everyone’s attention and conversation I guess that even as a young child I knew enough to pay attention to her and what was going on around her. The fact of the matter was though, that while she was indeed very famous she was also very Grandmotherly and always welcomed her family in to visit with her. I have very distinct memories of watching her paint and visiting with her or just having a cookie at her house. I also remember her 100th birthday celebration which seemed to be quite a big affair and was covered in-depth by the media of the day and seemed to go on for some days.”
I’m sure she influenced you. Could you tell us how your artwork is similar to hers?
“Grandma’s work has indeed influenced me simply because her painting and her legacy is what I grew up with. We had her paintings in the house and her memory has lived on in a very strong way with the entire family. In reality though, I always credit my grandfather, Forrest Moses (Grandmas son) with encouraging me to paint. Forrest Moses was also a painter in his own right and he had picked up the knack from Grandma. After she died, he took it up with more seriousness and in so doing, he strongly encouraged not only me but all of his grandchildren to paint. Without his patience and encouragement I am sure I probably never would have begun to paint much less carried on with it.”
Washington County is really rural America at it’s finest. Do you have any personal favorite paintings or scenes from Washington County?
“I guess most of my paintings probably have their roots in this region. The rolling hills and checkerboard of farms and fields and woods and villages lends itself to the style of art I attempt to paint. As for favorite paintings I tend to like the most recent painting the best (perhaps just because I am happy to finally be finished with it).”
We notice that your artwork is always filled with people. We’re always interested in fostering the idea of “community” at the Huletts Current. Can you tell us how your idea of community influences your art.
“Yes, often times my paintings are filled with people in part to reflect that idea of community and responsibility we all have to our communities. I think the roles we play in this regard have changed over the years and our obligations may not be as apparent (yet never needed more) as they were years ago when folks were more reliant on their neighbor and themselves. Years ago a group of good people with good intentions would come together and build schools, hospitals, churches, roads etc. They didn’t need governments to tell them how. The need was there and the people did it. Today we elect a school board for example and all they seem capable of doing is appointing sub committees to make the decisions they were elected in the first place to decide. We need a new generation of people willing to take responsibility for their communities. People need to become active in politics, not for selfish interest but because they can offer sound leadership and make their towns a better place to live. People need to volunteer to be fireman and EMS responders, teacher aids and look after those who can not take care of themselves. It is this simple; if you are not willing roll out of bed in the middle of the night to save someone’s house or child, then you have no right to expect anyone to come to you, in your time of need. When your house is on fire, your government funded community organizer won’t save you but your neighbor just might.”
We have a number of young readers. Can you tell us how you became interested in painting and what you enjoy most?
“I became interested in painting and took it up as a career simply because my Grandfather took the time and interest to pass it along to me. Looking back on it, I am sure he probably had other things he could have been doing with his time but he was a pretty good old fella and his grandchildren were a joy to him and the fact that he did take the time has meant that I have been able to make painting my life’s work. I think if he were here today he would get a big kick out of knowing that.”
Will thank you for taking the time to talk with us, we would like to extend an offer for you to come up and paint a scene from Huletts Landing anytime you are free. Please take us up on this offer.
Please stop by and support Will.
