Flight: A Celebration of Life

Flight written and recorded by DTO, Artwork by John Moseley.

Nameless Energy, features a co-created a project, Flight.  This collaboration integrates a beautiful art piece and my piano composition.

I had the pleasure to interview the talented painter, John Moseley, from his home in Santa Cruz, California.

DTO: Hi John, tell me about your childhood and background in the arts.

John: A lot of people ask me how long I’ve been an artist. And the answer to that is that I’ve always been an artist. I think everybody comes into this life as an artist, among other things and I was one of those that just kept going with it. I really owe it to my Moms support and encouragement. There were some real challenges in the family as our dad left us early on, one of my brothers was handicapped and we were raised on welfare and food stamps and moved a lot. I think all this upheaval led me to connect more to nature and to search within more for stability, so art and nature have always been my sanctuaries.

DTO: Take us back to your first “Ah-ha experience” when you were painting and it all came together.  What piece? Where were you?  What age?

John: Probably the first painting I remember doing..I was about three years of age and I painted a deer and a rabbit. It’s my first memory period. Something had clicked already. Then many along the way but there was one moment in particular when I randomly drew a women’s face within an ocean scene. I’ve done many versions of that in the 30 or so years since and continue with it. I call it the Woman in the Waves” – that face is kind of haunting me I guess! That’s also led me into the more encompassing Emerging Feminine series I’ve been doing.

DTO:  Who are some of your favorite bands growing up and now? Do you enjoy listening to when you are in the creative process?

John: Growing up I was into Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, Beatles.. I was a Talking Heads groupie for awhile.. Eddie Vedder, Michael Franti – I also love kirtan, Bachan Kaur, Snatam Kaur etc. I love where music is at now, blends of all kinds of World music. When I’m painting I’m always listening to some Pandora station – lately it’s been on Desert Dwellers or Moby station.

DTO: Thank you for our musical and artistic collaboration of “Flight”.  Is there anything you would like to add to our interview?

John:  I would just add that Im excited and encouraged when the art that I’m inspired to do connects and inspires others.. And I’m honored to be collaborating with you here Dave. much gratitude.

See more of John Moseley’s creations here