A few words about my talented friend, Joe Moskus

Paintings that capture the heart and culture of St. Louis.

One of the most incredible things in life is finding out just how talented your friends are. You could be friends with them for years without knowing the full depth of their abilities, but that only makes the discovery better. After years of working together through our different roles in the local entertainment land of movie marketing and reviews, I discovered something else Joe Moskus could do: He can paint, and do it very well.

Moskus, a Benton Park resident and avid bicyclist, enjoyed his first art installation this month at The Royale, a south city fixture near Kingshighway and Arsenal. His latest round of art hung on the walls, depicting street scenes in Cuba or a noteworthy yellow door in Soulard among other breathtaking visuals. Another one paid homage to the intersection of Shaw and Kingshighway, including the legendary burger joint, O’Connells. When it comes to people who paint for a side hustle (even thought I doubt that’ll be for too much longer), Moskus is a king. He’s a king in my book.

Only canvas-covering artists who have experienced the city can depict St. Louis in its ruggedly noir aesthetic, making someone staring at it feel the sudden urge to time travel to that exact moment that Moskus captured. He put together most of the work from pictures or pure memory, experiences gathered from time spent with his musician father, the late and respected Frank Moskus. The paintings are striking when you first see them hanging on the wall of The Royale, the perfect exhibit location for a gallery of work that celebrates the street scenes that make this town special.

At the official installation, Moskus was everywhere all at once, breaking down the meaning and origin of the work as well as greeting friends and attendees who came out to see the art. He’s a people’s person who appreciates people coming out to buy drinks and eat great food while they find out about the latest best kept artistic secret in town. There were handouts that broke down each piece, but all one needed to do in order to receive everything Moskus put on the canvas was stare.

That’s the thing about the painting corridor of creation. The more you stare, the more you see and understand. It’s like the opposite of endlessly staring at a woman; she may be hot, but it’s not kind or cool to gawk. A painting wants all your attention for as long as you can give it, because a thousand words should only be the beginning of the recognition.

Moskus’ paintings leave the mind dazed but far from confused, bringing to life a memory that may have existed before but had been forgotten. The depiction of a classic yellow door in the heart of Soulard brought me right back to driving for Uber, and all the cool houses, apartments, and doors the passengers will disappear into after leaving my car. My movie mind would write a story around that image, but Joe brings it to life with his hands and imagination. It’s views from the car or strolls through a neighborhood that summarize the core of Moskus’ art gallery: Street scenes that provide an easy recall.

For years, I had no idea Moskus could do this. Everybody has hobbies, but far from the lot can do something this well. He puts his heart into it. It was a Facebook post that brought to light the depth of Moskus’ talent with the brush for me. A picture of him putting the finishing strokes on a piece caused a double take.

Since 2012, we were friends who had a work connection. Film brought us together. Moskus works for Allied Marketing Group, a company that promotes upcoming film releases. They set up advanced screenings, interviews, and connect critics with movies that are coming around the corner. It was Pete Maniscalco, Allied’s STL branch manager, and Moskus who welcomed me like a bald Ebert-wannabe 12 years ago without a shred of credibility or experience.

Moskus’ sense of humor instantly matched my wacky funny bone. Once upon a time while promoting a little horror film called Annabelle, the two of us toured STL city bars and popular spots with an actual evil doll used in the film. What could have been weird and forgetful turned into a fun adventure around town, one that could have may have inspired a few paintings, whether they be upcoming or currently hanging on the wall works of art. Time with Joe is never dull.

Finding out that he’s an accomplished artist only makes me prouder to be his friend. You need cool, funny and versatile pals hanging around your life in order to keep the demons at bay. People who think alike yet move ideas and thoughts from their brains on a different channel. I may use words to create; Moskus uses a canvas to depict something resting in his head.

If you missed the installation event, feel free to stop by The Royale for their delicious fish tacos and view Joe’s work. Take a painting home, and it’ll tie the room together like the Dude’s rug. Several of the pieces are still there and up for sale. If you’re a St. Louis native, something will resonate.

As Pat Eby referenced to in her St. Louis Post Dispatch headline, if you’re made in St. Louis, Moskus’ paintings will touch a nerve or just go straight to the heart. He’s a good one, and only more people will begin to take notice.

Thanks for reading and go support Joe and artists like him.