“Ambidextrous” can be defined as
the ability to use
both hands equally well. Few people possess that skill-some
studies estimate ambidextrous people make up only between one
and three percent of the population-but among those few is
Pittsburgh artist Tom Mosser. Since childhood he has relied on
both hands, as well as a unique artistic technique he devised,
to create both stunning realistic and abstract work.
“The idea of using both hands for drawing and painting was
inspired by playing basketball and drums as a kid. It just
makes sense,” Mosser says. In some situations he paints with
both hands at the same time for greater efficiency or to
create a look that he can’t quite achieve using just one.
He explains the role of both hands. “My left hand is a little
looser, my Italian side. My right hand is more rigid, my
German side. When they come together, it’s not a gimmick. It’s
an artistic style.”
The practicality of such an approach is fairly obvious. What
is so surprising is the result. You’ll find very few vague,
abstract swirls of color here: instead, recognizable sports
heroes seem to leap off the canvas, alive with shadows and
nuances that many artists could not create with one hand, much
less two. One of his most striking pieces is a 30ft. by 200ft.
mural at the Prudential Center arena in Newark, New Jersey. In
addition to the mural he created more than 30 individual
pieces for the Prudential project. “Believe me, painting with
both hands was a huge asset for that project both creatively
and for functionality,” he says.
In addition to his use of “Ambidextrous Impressionism,” Mosser
enjoys perfecting what he calls his “Loop” technique, which he
began developing as a child and now is a primary focus of his
art and illustration assignments. Describing the technique he
says, “I’ve always been drawn to incorporating circular line
work as a sketching and painting style in all media. The look
is consistent. I paint and draw (with both hands) using long
circular motions emphasizing vertical blending strokes or
lines. That is the foundation of the “Loop.” I’ve never seen
anything like it and that’s exciting.”
Mosser is also responsible for a mural in downtown Pittsburgh
that has become an iconic image of the city. “The Two Andy’s”
mural was created in collaboration with Sarah Zeffiro (sarahzeffiro.com)
and pays tribute to Pittsburgh native sons, artist Andy Warhol
and industrialist Andrew Carnegie. A photo of the mural graces
the cover of “Pittsburgh A New Portrait” by Franklin Toker
which was published in 2009.
Also:
-In December of 2005 Tom was selected to receive the
“Illustrator of the Year” award by Harvard Magazine.
-In September 2000 he was commissioned by the Pittsburgh
Pirates to create a 4’ x 75’ mural depicting the history of
the team. This mural now resides in the administrative office
lobby at PNC Park.
-Tom ran his store front studio space, Mosser Gallery &
Studio, in Sewickley PA from 2001 to 2005 before moving to his
current studio space at the Blackbird Artist studio building
in Pittsburgh.
Also: A three-time marathon runner, Tom also enjoys running
with his Golden Retriever, Lucas as well as doing yoga, beach
volleyball, lifting weights, kayaking, fitness classes,
biking, tennis and yoga.
-Tom graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from
