Description

Content & Subject

Sawhorse Soldier is one of P. Buckley Moss’s most intriguing and unconventional works — a limited edition, signed and numbered giclée print that demonstrates her remarkable versatility as an artist. Known primarily for her serene folk art imagery of landscapes, Amish life, and gentle geese, Moss here presents us with a bold departure: a modern, abstracted figure of a child-like soldier, constructed with sharp, geometric forms and earthy, fiery colors.

The subject is striking: a figure that appears simultaneously playful and unsettling. Wearing a paper hat and holding a flag, the “soldier” evokes childhood innocence and games of make-believe, but the angular stylization and the figure’s fractured, mask-like face introduce a deeper, more ambiguous interpretation. The title Sawhorse Soldier hints at both the child’s toy world and the mechanical, almost puppet-like nature of war. Through this duality, Moss invites viewers to consider the contrast between innocence and violence, play and reality, vulnerability and power.

Style & Technique

Unlike the soft, pastoral folk art style that has made her beloved worldwide, Moss uses here a distinctly modernist approach. Sawhorse Soldier is painted with rough textures, bold strokes, and a palette dominated by rust, ochre, muted golds, and deep reds — tones that recall fire, soil, and battlefields. The flat planes of color, angular forms, and fragmented facial profile suggest influences from Cubism and early modernist abstraction, showcasing Moss’s deep artistic range beyond her signature style.

This stylistic departure underscores Moss’s mastery of multiple artistic languages. Where many know her for gentle pastoral scenes, works like Sawhorse Soldier affirm her capacity to move into experimental, symbolic realms — creating art that resonates not just emotionally, but intellectually.

Mood & Inspiration

The mood of Sawhorse Soldier is layered and complex. At first glance, it carries a whimsical quality — a child dressed up, waving a flag. But as the viewer lingers, darker undertones emerge: the face divided, the figure rigid, the palette suggestive of fire and conflict. Moss seems to be meditating on the innocence of childhood interrupted by the realities of war and societal expectation.

In this piece, Moss is not painting simple beauty; she is asking questions. Why do children play at war? What does it mean to march with a paper hat and toy sword? When do games become something more? By exploring these questions, Moss draws attention to the fragile line between imagination and indoctrination, play and peril.

This painting reminds us that Moss, often labeled purely as a folk artist, was a profoundly versatile creator unafraid to explore themes of tension, paradox, and human fragility.

Placement & Gift Ideas

Sawhorse Soldier is best suited for spaces where art serves as both conversation and contemplation. Its modernist style makes it ideal for a study, library, or contemporary living space where bold and thought-provoking works can stand out.

This piece makes a powerful gift for:

• Collectors of P. Buckley Moss who wish to own an example of her more experimental, modernist work

• Admirers of symbolic and abstract art who appreciate layered interpretations

• Individuals interested in themes of childhood, conflict, and transformation

• Art lovers who value Moss’s broader artistic voice beyond her pastoral folk style

Each limited edition print is signed and numbered as part of the publishing process, ensuring authenticity before release.
Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from Canada Goose Gallery, embossed with our gallery seal on a gold label. (see FAQs)

2011

Image Size: 15-1/4 x 12-3/4 inches.