Thaddeus Moore  

- Artist Anarchist

I began painting during the pandemic. I had always wanted to pick up a paintbrush, and suddenly, there were no more excuses about time. Photography and Photoshop had long been creative outlets for me, but painting felt daunting. The vulnerability of expressing myself, of being seen and possibly judged, kept me hesitant. Still, something compelled me to finally start. Uncertain of what I’d even paint, unsure what it would mean, I was willing to see where it would take me.

Since then, my creative practice has become more fluid and instinctual. One day I might be sculpting clay, the next sketching in charcoal or layering mixed media with acrylics and digital textures. I even picked up an anvil, and steelwork may find its way into the mix, too. Sometimes I begin with a clear idea; sometimes I start with nothing but silence and a blank canvas. Painting allows me to quiet my thoughts, to let creation happen instead of forcing it. It's one of the few times my mind surrenders control.

I’m influenced by the flowing lines of Van Gogh, the disruptive genius of Picasso, and the unapologetic boldness of street art. Tagging, graffiti, and raw symbolism thread their way through my work, especially when responding to political or social tension. But often the mood shifts and my pieces aren’t loud and confrontational, but at times soft, whimsical, or nostalgic. Whether it’s broken skulls or blooming flowers, each work is an exploration of what I’m feeling.

Entirely self-taught, I learned through online tutorials, trial and error, and curiosity. What matters most is honesty. I paint what I feel, without boxing myself into any label or style. And while I create for myself, I love it when my work elicits emotion in others. If someone smiles and imagines or winces and loathes it, I know the piece has done its job.