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Moe Gram is a visual artist and designer currently working out of Denver, Co. A transplant from Bakersfield, Ca, Gram is working to learn the needs and goals of Denver communities and working to strengthen the voices of the youth. Current projects include the Every Human Empathy Campaign, public and commercial mural painting, conceptual immersive installation, large scale mixed media collage, and experimentation with new materials including projection and digital media. Moe Gram is a board member of Birdseed Collective, is an active community organizer, and human rights advocate. Committed to providing love and inspiration to humans across the country, public speaking engagements and community enrichment activities remain a priority in Gram’s creative process.
Published on March 5th 2021. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
Creating in a country who is experiencing civil unrest and fully in a pandemic, while also teaching visual arts to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders has been a major hurdle. This experience has put me in a warrior state of mind. My students are young BIPOC identifying humans. Their minds are fragile and their souls are strong. Within my creative practice, I am burdening myself with a commitment to expanding my abilities as a teacher and as a creative, so I can lead by example. Creatively I have to let go of my boundaries and practice bravery with my concepts. I feel as though I cannot be timid or passive in my approach any longer. Instead, I feel highly motivated to be successful in my areas of weakness. I wouldn't say this is a hurdle that has been overcome. If anything this is a hurdle in progress. The core questions for me at this time are: How do I act effectively in my role as an artist, creative, and leader? How do I make my concepts more clear or concise? How do I create unapologetically and without fear of repercussion?
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
The pandemic has made my work more free. With little to lose, I have been really pushing past these boundaries or limitations I have created for myself. I am playing more and exploring the merging between different mediums. Prior to the pandemic, I felt like there was a disconnect between projects. For me, it was hard to see what all of these different completed works had in common aside from their creator. In general, works were feeling very compartmentalized. Over the last year, I have been very intentional about exploring different approaches to blurring the lines between compartments. My collage work is melding with my mixed media work. My public mural style is dipping into my installation and more interactive works. Visuals and concepts are colliding and I am finding a more consistent throughline between projects. As I look at projects created in 2020 I am excited to see a bit more Moe in everything. Some might say that is silly. That they have always seen the Moe in my work. However, I am finally seeing my style shine through the way I have been wishing to see it for many years now.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
My family and friends are truly the greatest. But I think I have really been working to better support myself. It is very natural for me to put projects and career before my personal needs. This has lead me to breakdown emotionally and physically. It is very uncomfortable for me to prioritize my own needs. Frequently I hear encouragement from loved ones to take time out for me and not overextend myself. I am learning to make space and time to check in with myself. Ask what I need. It isn't easy. My preference is to wake up early, paint all day. Not eat. Drink little water. Maybe sit in the sun too long. Not listen to my body when it says to rest. Drink too much coffee or eat breads that upset my stomach. Overindulge in wine and goodies. Stay up late. Sleep 3-4 hours. Doom scroll until my emotional capital is sucked dry. When I sink into a depression I encourage myself to sink deeper. Perhaps that's the artists' way. It is how we die early and become legends right? Or not?
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
I am forever reflective. Almost like the scientific method. I start with an idea and make it happen. From there I review the results, make corrections in my process in favor of a greater outcome, and try again. Overtime I look back at previous works and examine the growth. Upon reflection, I ask myself: What is consistent? What is working? What should be revisited? What should be abandoned? What can be better? What should never change? I engage in this process by also reviewing process photos. Even though I am not one to share my in-progress documentation, I still do an in-depth capture of the creative process. It is important to pay attention to how the work is made. Many times there is a lot to be learned from those moments. I use them to help in my reflections. All of my thoughts go down on paper in a sketchbook or in a journal. This coupled with clear goals for future projects is extremely helpful with keeping me resilient.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
I am learning that I have true power. My work is good and I can trust it. In the arts, it is easy for us to doubt ourselves. We can very easily compare our creative practice to others around us. That is irrational. Like a mantra, I have to remind myself to have trust and to have faith that I have every tool I need to be successful. When used properly, I make magic. I am also learning that my voice is listened to. There are people who are out there who are curious about what my work or I have to say. They are interested in the dialogue that I am presenting to the public and are both encouraged and willing to participate in the conversation. I am also learning that I am a stakeholder in the arts. That I can use that position to help lift up BIPOC artists. Specifically women and non-binary individuals. I have to remind myself of these lessons so I can continue to create work that I can be truly proud of.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
Creating in a country who is experiencing civil unrest and fully in a pandemic, while also teaching visual arts to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders has been a major hurdle. This experience has put me in a warrior state of mind. My students are young BIPOC identifying humans. Their minds are fragile and their souls are strong. Within my creative practice, I am burdening myself with a commitment to expanding my abilities as a teacher and as a creative, so I can lead by example. Creatively I have to let go of my boundaries and practice bravery with my concepts. I feel as though I cannot be timid or passive in my approach any longer. Instead, I feel highly motivated to be successful in my areas of weakness. I wouldn't say this is a hurdle that has been overcome. If anything this is a hurdle in progress. The core questions for me at this time are: How do I act effectively in my role as an artist, creative, and leader? How do I make my concepts more clear or concise? How do I create unapologetically and without fear of repercussion?
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
The pandemic has made my work more free. With little to lose, I have been really pushing past these boundaries or limitations I have created for myself. I am playing more and exploring the merging between different mediums. Prior to the pandemic, I felt like there was a disconnect between projects. For me, it was hard to see what all of these different completed works had in common aside from their creator. In general, works were feeling very compartmentalized. Over the last year, I have been very intentional about exploring different approaches to blurring the lines between compartments. My collage work is melding with my mixed media work. My public mural style is dipping into my installation and more interactive works. Visuals and concepts are colliding and I am finding a more consistent throughline between projects. As I look at projects created in 2020 I am excited to see a bit more Moe in everything. Some might say that is silly. That they have always seen the Moe in my work. However, I am finally seeing my style shine through the way I have been wishing to see it for many years now.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
My family and friends are truly the greatest. But I think I have really been working to better support myself. It is very natural for me to put projects and career before my personal needs. This has lead me to breakdown emotionally and physically. It is very uncomfortable for me to prioritize my own needs. Frequently I hear encouragement from loved ones to take time out for me and not overextend myself. I am learning to make space and time to check in with myself. Ask what I need. It isn't easy. My preference is to wake up early, paint all day. Not eat. Drink little water. Maybe sit in the sun too long. Not listen to my body when it says to rest. Drink too much coffee or eat breads that upset my stomach. Overindulge in wine and goodies. Stay up late. Sleep 3-4 hours. Doom scroll until my emotional capital is sucked dry. When I sink into a depression I encourage myself to sink deeper. Perhaps that's the artists' way. It is how we die early and become legends right? Or not?
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
I am forever reflective. Almost like the scientific method. I start with an idea and make it happen. From there I review the results, make corrections in my process in favor of a greater outcome, and try again. Overtime I look back at previous works and examine the growth. Upon reflection, I ask myself: What is consistent? What is working? What should be revisited? What should be abandoned? What can be better? What should never change? I engage in this process by also reviewing process photos. Even though I am not one to share my in-progress documentation, I still do an in-depth capture of the creative process. It is important to pay attention to how the work is made. Many times there is a lot to be learned from those moments. I use them to help in my reflections. All of my thoughts go down on paper in a sketchbook or in a journal. This coupled with clear goals for future projects is extremely helpful with keeping me resilient.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
I am learning that I have true power. My work is good and I can trust it. In the arts, it is easy for us to doubt ourselves. We can very easily compare our creative practice to others around us. That is irrational. Like a mantra, I have to remind myself to have trust and to have faith that I have every tool I need to be successful. When used properly, I make magic. I am also learning that my voice is listened to. There are people who are out there who are curious about what my work or I have to say. They are interested in the dialogue that I am presenting to the public and are both encouraged and willing to participate in the conversation. I am also learning that I am a stakeholder in the arts. That I can use that position to help lift up BIPOC artists. Specifically women and non-binary individuals. I have to remind myself of these lessons so I can continue to create work that I can be truly proud of.
Find Moe Gram on Instagram
