A brief interview with 2016 Open Studio Tour Artist: Paul Moscatt
Fred Lazarus by Paul Moscatt
Can you tell us a little bit about the work that you do in your studio?:
Portrait and Figure Painting, Plein Air Landscape Painting. I work in Oil and Acrylic.
I work directly from the model or the landscape. I many times work with a group painting along side students while conducting figure, portrait and landscape classes. The studio supplies extra easels and tables and a changing schedule of models. We also work from musicians who will be playing their instruments while posing.
I work directly from the model or the landscape. I many times work with a group painting along side students while conducting figure, portrait and landscape classes. The studio supplies extra easels and tables and a changing schedule of models. We also work from musicians who will be playing their instruments while posing.
What drew you to the medium(s) that you are currently working with?:
My education in the Cooper Union Art School and Yale University Art School gave me a good background in abstract and representational painting. Major consideration was given the oil and acrylic mediums and the archival use of these mediums. I favor working in oil for figurative work but I also like the adventure possibility inherent in using acrylics.
What is something that you think is unique about your studio or practice?:
My experience. I am a retired Professor who taught painting and drawing at MICA since 1966. My studio is an activity center for painting and drawing, both representational and abstract painting. I conduct figure, portrait, landscape and color sessions and I paint along side the student and leading a critique session after each class.
The studio has an immense amount of my work to be seen, work which I have produced since the early 60’s. Though the vast concentration is now observational and representational, there are many large works which are more conceptual involving a personal self portrait narrative.
The studio has an immense amount of my work to be seen, work which I have produced since the early 60’s. Though the vast concentration is now observational and representational, there are many large works which are more conceptual involving a personal self portrait narrative.
What is one thing you love about being an artist in Baltimore?:
Baltimore is a great place for artists to work. It especially has excellent studio and exhibition spaces. An active group of artists, young and old along with the other arts – actors and musicians form a large cultural base.
It’s art institutions including MICA, Peabody, the Walters Art Gallery, the Baltimore Museum are world renowned. It is also closely situated to Washington, DC with its great Art Institutions.
It’s art institutions including MICA, Peabody, the Walters Art Gallery, the Baltimore Museum are world renowned. It is also closely situated to Washington, DC with its great Art Institutions.
Marian by Paul Moscatt
What are you most excited about for this year’s Open Studio Tour?:
Preparing the studio for the tour is a major part of the Open Studio event. This requires a lot of work for me, cleaning, organizing, getting together a display of my work.
Opening the studio becomes social event, an enjoyable opportunity to welcome and entertain old and new friends. I like to put out a nice spread and supply ample beverages to promote a party atmosphere. This also happens throughout our building which has a number of other artists so it is fun and very social to visit and connect with your fellow artists which of course includes break bread and sampling their wine.
The tour also brings new people into the studio, new people to see my work and become familiar with my teaching sessions. And then there is the possibilities of moving some work, selling to new and old visitors to my studio.
This whole process of being part of the studio tour allows me to gain further insights into my own work. Perhaps that’s the greatest benefit of all.
Opening the studio becomes social event, an enjoyable opportunity to welcome and entertain old and new friends. I like to put out a nice spread and supply ample beverages to promote a party atmosphere. This also happens throughout our building which has a number of other artists so it is fun and very social to visit and connect with your fellow artists which of course includes break bread and sampling their wine.
The tour also brings new people into the studio, new people to see my work and become familiar with my teaching sessions. And then there is the possibilities of moving some work, selling to new and old visitors to my studio.
This whole process of being part of the studio tour allows me to gain further insights into my own work. Perhaps that’s the greatest benefit of all.
Is there anything else you would like to add?:
The Paul Moscatt Studio welcomes artists experienced or not who want to work with the figure, portrait, color or landscape. These are work session classes with optional critiques at the end of the session. The fees are reasonable and the student chooses what individual sessions they want to attend.
The Paul Moscatt Studio also accepts interns who would benefit from the studio experience while earning school credit. They can participate in studio classes without charge and the time is credited to their obligatory intern hours.
Individual visits to the studio can be arranged after the Open Studio Tour has occurred.
Paul Moscatt Studio will be open from 10am to 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday (October 8 & 9) of this year’s Studio Tour! Moscatt’s studio is located on the 3rd floor of The Cork Factory: 1601 N Guilford Ave., be sure to check it out this year!