The Beacon by Beth-Art by P Buckley Moss

The Beacon

 

Several years ago I had the opportunity to travel the east coast of Lake Michigan. I was the solo driver with my three young children as my only passengers. As a family, we had been going through some tough times. And often, I found myself being the lone parent left to raise these three trusting little humans. This trip was truly a God send to me. For in it, I found my inner strength through mighty towers that hold the beacon of light.   Throughout our travel, I witnessed some of the most breathtaking scenes nature has to offer. Many that are still etched in my memory. And, it was during this trip I became addicted to lighthouses. I found myself mesmerized by these beacons of light that stood at the end of a pier or on land surrounded by huge sharp boulders. Even though I knew they were inanimate objects, questions to them ran through my mind as I stood there gazing at them in wonder… How many lives have you saved because they heeded your warning? How many lives have been lost due to the sharp rocks that lay at your base? How do you withstand the continuous pounding of the waves during storms, and especially in winter, when the water is ice cold and the wind has its chilling bite? How did they build you and who built you? And, do you get lonely standing out there by yourself? It was as though I heard The Beacon whisper an answer to me through the mist of the water as the waves lapped against one of its mighty foundations. “Just as I, the Beacon, stand here alone during the storms, you, too, at times will stand alone being a beacon of light — the beacon of hope for that one lost soul needing to know that someone cares. You might be that only smile they see that puts light in their eyes. This is for what you were made. This is your job. This is your purpose — to share the light. Though the waves may come crashing down upon you, your Maker made you strong to withstand the storms. Your Maker made you strong enough to endure the loneliness. Your Maker made you to shine His light and be kind and forgiving and to always love. Sometimes your light might be the only light that can be seen in the midst of the storm. And, it might be very dim. But, it is there. You have been built on a strong rock that will not let you fall. Have faith in your Maker, as I have in mine.” Silly as it sounds, The Beacon’s words gave me strength to help endure many of the hardships that have come my way in life… both as a single parent and in a career. But this message from The Beacon is not only true for me, it is true for this Great America. For as this world is going through some very strong storms of change, chaos and sadly, much hate, I see our Great America as the Beacon of Light to this world. So many come to this great nation filled with hopes and dreams. We are the beacon of hope for humans all over the world desiring to live in freedom… to prosper… to live in dignity. As these storm waves of hate and chaos are crashing down upon this great nation and trying to destroy the foundation on which it stands, it is imperative that we know and understand the principles on which our nation’s forefathers built it. And, let us not forget those whose lives have been lost protecting our nation’s foundation from being withered away from the continuing crashing waves of destruction. We are the Great America… but to stay great, our foundation must stay strong.

P Buckley Moss ~ Unique Perspective of the world

The Artist P. Buckley Moss has a unique perspective of the world.  One of the things most fascinating about her (and there are many things) is her remarkable memory for details. If you ask her what inspires her to paint she will tell you that the world is rich with details. I have been to her studios through out the years and seen first hand the sketches on paper, tissues, napkins, envelopes….tiny pieces of visual notes to be expanded upon when she finds herself alone with only brush and canvas.

At her recent Barn Show, Pat and I talked about her print, The Barnstormer. Far too young to remember the days when these planes flew around the country, Pat said that over the summer she wanted to be reminded of all the summer vacations gone by, the memories of days long ago, and the vacations that she took with her once small children.  “I thought the essay contest would be a fun way to inspire dinner conversations!” she said.  I think that it is important to try to figure out how to bring these wonderful conversations back into our now, digital life.

         

The Importance of Art and Telling Stories
I suppose that we should start by just telling more stories.  Somewhere I read that kids today are going to return to the days of caveman drawings with all their dependency on emojis.  Now I love a good smiley face as much as anybody, but one of the things I totally agree with Pat on is the “good old dinner-time history lesson-story.”  Thinking about my grandchildren and trying to figure out ways to get them to be inspired by art and perhaps write out a story for me.  I was wondering what you think about “summer memories and children who speak with smiley faces.”

I have a friend who was telling me that almost every night at her dinner table growing up there would be stacks of Encyclopedias brought out to help bolster some story or event going on that day. I thought that it was quite amusing to think about those large heavy books being passed around over plates of spaghetti (yes, my friend is Italian and not only did they discuss history with dinner, but they got to eat pasta every night too!)

This same friend sent me an essay that I must share. It is about the print, Humpback Rock, and I just loved how one image transported her into some childhood memories that were the highlight of her summers.  It got me thinking about my grandchildren and trying to figure out ways to get them to be inspired by art and perhaps write out a story for me.  I was wondering what you all were thinking about summer memories and children who speak with smiley faces.  Read the essay:   Read a great post

Is there hope?  If you have found a secret to telling stories at dinner, then please share it with me.

         

        

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Trail to Humpback Rock-Artist P Buckley Moss

I received this article today from a friend.  Seeing this art print, “Trail to Humpback Rock”  by P Buckley Moss, was her inspiration for writing. The art took her back to a time when she and her family shared such pleasant memories of their yearly vacation; a time she holds dear.

“This Great America Summer of Art” 

 

Title: Trail to Humpback Rock

The minute I saw the print, Trail To Humpback Rock, I smiled. Not because I had been to Humpback Rock but because the print, so beautifully painted by P. Buckley Moss, had captured a summer memory so vividly that it transported me back in time.

As only a little kid can imagine, my mind raced back 40+ years to the long, unfinished dirt road of our summer cottage. Every summer our family drove five hours “up north” to the tiny town of Ellsworth. It wasn’t even on a map (or not on any modern day map.) My parents had purchased thirty acres of land on Lake 26 from the estate of Dr. Secore. He was a WWI veteran who loved living in the woods. He built a real log cabin with a huge stone fireplace, and the long, one mile road that led through the trees, pass the apple orchards, eventually brought you out to a clearing where a small ice house and big log cabin sat. It was our summer get-a-way!

There were four of us kids and hoards of visiting cousins who loved that road. Always covered in brightly colored leaves and filtered sunlight, the trail was overflowing with the sounds of branches swaying alongside chirping birds. You could tell that it was a trail created from some old walking pathway to the lake. Fallen tree trunks became part of its roadway and there were so many trees surrounding it—and so very tall—that you could barely see the blue of the sky above it. It was a challenge to get our station wagon down that path! The dog would bark all the way down and we kids would cover our eyes whenever we came to a particularly narrow part of the path where we thought the car might tumble over. The “mile driveway” to the cottage was our magical reminder that we had arrived in paradise. It seemed to take forever to navigate it’s rough and winding path to the cabin and the lake, but it was always filled with sunlight and golden leaves. It was a secret passageway to our summer of adventure.

The path started from the roadway and then dipped down into a cathedral of trees that bent over, covering the sky. On the warmest of summer days you could always walk up the road through the densest part of trail and feel a bit chilly compared to the heat of the summer. During the daylight hours we imagined hiking through the Amazon, or scouting for animals, or just walking with our grandmother to the “clearing” space that looked exactly like the Trail to Humpback Rock.

As night fell upon the road we never ventured far. It was too dark, too scary, and most likely had a raccoon or two walking down its long path. No matter where I am, or how old I get, there is no better memory than our summers at the cottage and our adventures on the long, golden, leaf covered path of our look-alike Trail to Humpback Rock.

Somehow, P. Buckley Moss was able to capture this most magical time of my childhood – summer vacation! In her art there is love and the beauty of remembering the most important place in my heart.

Maria B. June 16, 2017

How To Buy P Buckley Moss Art When Just Starting Out

Free Spirit (Giclee)

Don’t let price determine your choice of a print. Price is normally determined by the size and complexity of the image. We all know that it is the artist behind the brush who makes the art and her talent for putting to paper the way she sees the world is what draws us to love the art. In addition, if the price is a determining factor, we have a lay-a-way plan which will make the process of purchasing an easier way to have exactly the art you have in mind.

About American Artist P. Buckley Moss

 

Patricia Buckley Moss, also known as P. Buckley Moss (born May 20, 1933), is an American artist. Reared in Staten Island, New York, she is known for her portrayals of rural landscapes and life in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

P Buckley Moss (Pat) attended Washington Irving High School for the Fine Arts in Manhattan. She who, although undiagnosed at the time, is dyslexic and struggled with some of her classes in high school. However, she excelled at art. Due to her mother’s persistence, Pat was considered for and received a scholarship to study art at Cooper Union College. It was at the Cooper Union that she began her journey as an artist.

Soon after graduating in 1955, Buckley married Jack Moss. In 1964, Mr. Moss’ work as a chemical engineer found the family of seven with a sixth child on the way relocating to Waynesboro, Virginia. This relocation became pivotal in Pat’s art and subject matter.

Patricia Moss appreciated the rural scenery and began portraying it in her art. She was particularly drawn to the Amish and Mennonite people who farmed in the countryside and has portrayed their figures in iconic ways. In 1967 she had a one-person museum exhibition that promptly sold out, after which Moss started to market her work more seriously. Her unique style, marked by her subtle stylings and the calm nature of her work, alongside the warmth emanating from her subject matter quickly won her widespread acclaim.

Referred to in 1998 as “The People’s Artist,” by journalist Charles Kuralt, Moss opened the P. Buckley Moss Museum in Waynesboro the following year. Since opening in 1989, the facility grew to attract roughly 45,000 visitors annually. Today, artwork that Moss signs as P. Buckley Moss is represented in more than 200 galleries worldwide and collected throughout Europe and Japan, as well as the United States.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._Buckley_Moss

Life Lessons From Geese 2023

Positive Featured Inspirational Story 

Lessons from Geese

‘Individual empowerment results from quality honking’

Lessons from Geese provides a perfect example of the importance of team work and how it can have a profound and powerful effect on any form of personal or business endeavour. When we use these five principles in our personal and business life it will help us to foster and encourage a level of passion and energy in ourselves, as well as those who are our friends, associates or team members.

It is essential to remember that teamwork happens inside and outside of business life when it is continually nurtured and encouraged.

 

Lesson 1 – The Importance of Achieving Goals

As each goose flaps its wings it creates an UPLIFT for the birds that follow. By flying in a ‘V’ formation the whole flock adds 71 percent extra to the flying range.

Outcome

When we have a sense of community and focus, we create trust and can help each other to achieve our goals.

 

 

 

Lesson 2 – The Importance of Team Work

When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front.

Outcome

If we had as much sense as geese we would stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

 

 

Lesson 3 – The Importance of Sharing

When a goose tires of flying up front it drops back into formation and another goose flies to the point position.

Outcome

It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect and protect each other’s unique arrangement of skills, capabilities, talents and resources.

 

 

Lesson 4 – The Importance of Empathy and Understanding

   When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to the ground to help and protect it.

Outcome

If we have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.

 

 

Lesson 5 – The Importance of Encouragement

Geese flying in formation ‘HONK’ to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed.

Outcome

We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups and teams where there is encouragement, production is much greater. ‘Individual empowerment results from quality honking’

The original version of Lessons from Geese was written by

Dr Robert McNeish in 1972

Les Chevaux: Rare P Buckley Moss Art Print

“Les Chevaux”

 

Les Chevaux is a rare/sold out, limited edition print that was issued in 1984 depicting five horses in a typical Moss landscape.  Translated from the French, Les Chevaux, literally means “The Horses.”  Horses have been the partners of mankind since the earliest of times, even before spoken language as evidenced by the paintings in caves at Chauvet and also those at Lascaux.  The paintings at Chauvin-Pont-d’Arcy Cave in the Ardèche in the southern part of France are around 30,000 years old and those at Lascaux (France) are approximately 16,000 years old.

The five horses are painted with a wonderful technique that lends itself to art transparency.  The background is laid down first and the horses are then painted on the surface.  This transparency indicates that the horses have a connection to the earth and a spiritual presence and power in a visual symbolic way.  This is not a realistic representation of the horse, but rather a very stylized, modernist version.  The horses are composed from fluid line work and liquid color, both characteristics of Moss’ imagery.

The landscape behind the horses play an equally important part in the image as it is created from Moss’ classic Z-shaped brushstrokes that are used to create multiple horizon lines.  The use of the “Grand-Z” as it is known, is used to make it difficult to tell where earth and sky separate, and at points become one, creating a harmony within the landscape.

Les Chevaux, P. Buckley Moss. Issued in 1984

Image Size: 16 x 22-1/4 ins. Paper Size: 18 x 24-1/2 ins.   Edition: 1,000 and 25 artist’s proofs  RARE PRINT

Original Art – P Buckley Moss Horse Watercolor Paintings

 

The horse is a symbolic image that has been incorporated in the works of many artists throughout the history of art. Contemporary artists like P. Buckley Moss are no exception. Moss has long included the image of the horse as part of her visual repertoire and iconography.

 

In art the horse represents nobility, grace and strength. In ancient times, it was often a symbol for the spoils of war and it was viewed as a mystical or spiritual being. An entire month of the Chinese Zodiac is dedicated to the horse with characteristics of chivalry, practicality, love, devotion and stability. The Celtic people saw the horse as a symbol of fertility, victory, long life and wealth. The Romans attributed the qualities of power and honor to the horse.

Moss’ horses represent a spirit of freedom characterized by flaring nostrils and flowing manes. Most of her horses are painted as individuals in a full frontal position looking eye to eye at the observer.

 

 

The horse depicted is painted in a modernist style and not the realistic depictions that many assume is the style-mark of art. This image is characterized by Moss’ line work producing a very organic looking image.  The lines appear as branches working throughout the image.  The golden color represents spiritual wealth and abundance.

Gentle Soul: P Buckley Moss Limited Edition Art Print

Describes both the artist and her work

“Gentle Soul”

 

 

Gentle Soul is a portrait of one of Pat’s golden-hued horses looking quite quizzically at the observer, becoming the human presence in the image. The horse in Pat’s art is an important and easily recognizable form of iconography. Iconography is generally defined as the “subject” of the work of art. In the history of art the horse has been used as a symbol for thousands of years.  The horse is known to symbolize human sensuality, nobility, strength, and grace. For Moss, the horse specifically symbolizes a freedom of spirit characterized by the long flowing mane and flaring nostrils.

It is not only the horse that is part of Moss symbolism, the blue reflecting pond behind the horse is also symbolic representing the depth of the human soul. The mountain that rises up in the landscape creates depth and the trees lining the horizon are compositional elements used to break up the planes of space that appear throughout the image.  Moss’ style, known as the Valley Style, often contains these images of landscapes.  The style was named for the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia where Moss raised her family and became the well-known artist she is today.

 

Gentle Soul   Issued in 2004.

Image Size: 37 x 23 ins. Paper Size: 39 x 25 ins.  Edition: 500 and 25 artist’s proofs

For more images of horses painted by P Buckley Moss please use this link: