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Research/Background: I did my research at the St.Augustine Historical Society. While researching different sites I came across a local artist Victoria BroadbentT DeCato, otherwise known as Grandma Mosses. She was known for using spanish moss to create her paintings by dipping the moss in paint and using it as a brush. She often wrote poems about specific locations throughout St.Augustine and St.Johns County, Florida. These locations helped inspire her work.
Quote from Grandma Mosses: "Mossism is painting with Spanish Moss instead of using a conventional paint brush. It is Dabber-Dab-Dab with a few strains of Spanish Moss, or many, to reach the desired effect. Dipped in Acrylics or Glo Poster Paint, mix the right amount and go to work. All at once,
your hand or hands will feel The Magic Touch”
Quote from Grandma Mosses: "Spanish moss is an airplant feeding only on air and light. The reason it seems to kill leaves on Live Oaks and Bald Cypress is the fact it cuts off the air needed for life- due to its weight and closeness. Spanish Moss flourishes in the deep South, nine states in all from the swamps of Maryland down through the swamps all the way into texas. An epiphytic plant of the pineapple family, it is also seen in the West Indies. I feel the birds put it on the trees to cushion their tiny feet. Maybe man had a part in it too and the wind."
Important Facts
-Was 75 when she started painting with Moss
-Sent paintings to 4 presidents
-Referred to her technique as mossism and herself as a mossist
-Mossism stresses abstract forms
-She uses canvas or canvas board
My Installation: Since Poetry played an important role in Grandma Mosses work I wanted to incorporate one of her poems into mine. Miss Mosses wrote poems about specific locations throughout florida, while highlighting the beauty of nature. I had several poems to pick from before settling on Mossist. I chose this poem because it really captures Grandma Mosses passion for nature and art. She wanted to pass on this painting technique to others as well, and this poem definitely touches on that.
The Poem Mossist:
One evening-
As I looked from the kitchen window
Upon one of God’s glorious tree’s-
And saw Spanish Moss swaying with grace
And beauty in a gentle breeze, I said out loud,
“why not paint again with Moss-
Paper and paint in hand, I sat down,
And in an hour or two to my delight I saw shapes upon shapes in color and black and white
That Spanish Moss and I did create.
Plastics too- which I held to the lamp
As the sun had set and the light outside was
Not very bright.
I saw effects for stained glass windows,
What a sight! “Magic Moments” in the lamp light.
Then thoughts came rushing through, It is time I gave my technique
To You and You!
To add to your pleasure, it could be Your livelihood too.
Designs for just about everything under the sun,
No end to the joy and fun Spanish Moss can bring to you.
So try your hand- Do! Do! For Florida’s Grandma Mosses
Cares about You and You!
Photo's of Installation: The location of my installation is at Rivertown park in St. Johns County. The installation is displayed in the middle of the park right in front of the lake
Artist Statement: Mossist is a poem by Grandma Mosses, an artist who used moss to paint pictures in St.Augustine and St Johns, Florida. I did an image transfer of the poem Mossist on handmade paper. I decided to frame the poem and add pieces of the environment to the outside frame. The poem is hanging on a mossy tree at Rivertown park in St. Johns county, Florida. The poem is inviting readers to join in the joy of nature and art. In the poem Grandma Mosses describes how to make a painting with the moss. When people are walking past this picture they will stop to read it, becoming more aware of their environment and with all the Spanish Moss that surrounds them. It will spark inspiration for others, some might even decide to try Grandma Mosses Mossism.
Title: Mossist
Materials: Picture frame, paper, and moss
Dimensions: the picture frame was 9 by 11 inches