The Art of Ripped Paper

I’ve been working with paper for almost 11 years now. Seeing Synthetic Cubism in an art history class changed everything for me. From that moment on I dedicated myself to using paper in my art. Fast forward to 2020 and I’m still tirelessly working on my craft. Beginning in 2019 and carrying into the 2020 series, “Things I love” I decided to take a more loose and expressive approach to not only how I select the paper, but also the process of creating using paper. In addition to precision cutting, I added more loose ripping. Man, I’m so glad I did I absolutely love the results. Below are some selected pieces which show some of the ripped paper in detail.

ShareTea CLT x Kyle Mosher POSCA Markers Mural

Dropped by ShareTea in Charlotte, NC to do a mural for them. Also made some limited edition stickers and postcards for the release. Typically I hand paint al...

Dropped by ShareTea in Charlotte, NC to do a mural for them. Also made some limited edition stickers and postcards for the release. Typically I hand paint all murals so shout out Posca Markers this was my first time using paint pens for a mural. Video: Christian Duprez Music: SICKO - NIGHTGRIND (Ft. skypierr) All copyright belongs to them. Don't sue me. All love!

This Painting Costs $100,000 by Kyle Mosher

"Ceci ne pas une blague" (2020) Duct Tape and Paper on Canvas. From my 2020 Series, “Things I Love”.

Charlotte Star Room x BLACK LIVES MATTER Mural Video

Charlotte Star Room put together this amazing video of the Black Lives Matter mural we worked on in Charlotte. The spoken word is by Greg jackson / @Gregjackson704. I got goosebumps watching this.

B – Dammit Wesley / @dammitwesley

L – Dakotah Aiyanna / @dakotaaiyanna

A – Zacc McLean, Ty Adams, & Naji Al-Ali / @part_t1m3 / @shin.tytsumaki / @najiarts

C – Abel Jackson / @artbyabel

K – Garrison Gist / @2gzandcounting

L – Akro & Owl / @arkoclt / @owl.clt

I – Kyle Mosher & Zack Peele / @thekylemosher / @tragiczack

V – Franklin Kernes & Lo’Vonia Parks / @fkcreative

E – Kiana Mui / @kmuiii

S – Marcus Kiser & Jason Woodberry / @marcus_kiser / @jason_woodberry

M – Georgie Nakima / @gardenofjourney

A – Matthew Clayburn / @matthewclayburn

T – Frankie Zombie / @frankie.zombie_

T – CHD:WCK! / @chdwckart

E – John Hairston Jr. / @jagolactus_

R – Dari Calamari / @daricalmari

spoken word by: Greg jackson / @Gregjackson704 motivational speaker

media director: Chawn Bracey / @Chawngoodie of @Motivatormusic_

video by: Charlotte Star Room @charlottestarroom

the BLM mural project was a collaboration by: Brand the Moth @brand_the_moth BLKMRKTCLT @blkmrktclt Charlotte Is Creative @cltiscreative & the City of Charlotte @cltgov

Charlotte Black Lives Matter Mural

Truly humbled and honored to be apart of the Black Lives Matter mural in Charlotte. The organizers had 48 hours to put this together and we had less than a day to paint each of our respective letters. Shout out to Sam Guzzie and Dammit Wesley for putting this together. The result and media attention speaks for itself. I had the letter “I” in LIVES. What does it mean?

I knew I had to execute fairly quickly so I wanted something that was going to be as impactful as possible within our time constraints. I was quickly drawn to the idea of using type so I was playing around with the idea BLM and CLT. I liked that the two words shared an "L" so I initially was sketching a bunch of ideas around that. I honestly don't remember what happened next, I was in a zone, but somehow I got the idea to use a "code" and I was off and running. I played around with a few different concepts using this code idea and eventually landed where I am now. I typically have a signature aesthetic and color palette I am known for, but I abandoned that and used black and white to show the coming together of black and white. The piece itself is called "Hidden Figures" because of the hidden code and a play on words from the movie/book. The message itself has nothing to do with the movie, but I used it as an opportunity to create awareness to the book/movie. It’s meant to be difficult and it’s meant for people to come together to create dialogue. There’s no sign language, no Roman numerals, and no math involved. Hint: Each symbol represents a letter. Good luck deciphering ;)

Staple x Kyle Mosher Pigeon

A little behind the scenes working out ideas for the Staple pigeon design contest. Had to throw my cut-paper style into the mix for this iconic logo interpretation. I’ve done a few of these, I thought the others were too literal so I went full synthetic cubism for this one. I’ll be dropping the final Monday the 11th.

Pop Smoke Tribute Portrait

Every generation of rap has those artists that are one hit wonders and even more that sorta linger around for a minute and they’re gone. Then you get those rare once in a generation type artists. The ones that change the sound and move the needle forward. That was Pop. The once in a generation sound that cuts through the noise. The ones that rap and you believe every word they say. One of the top comments on his freestyles on YouTube is, “How does this dude manage to sound like all three members of G-Unit”. That hit me. The attitude. The sound. Even though that was the perfect analogy for Pop, his sound was still his own and hyper unique. RIP to a once in a generation legend gone too soon. My thoughts go out to his team and his family. This piece is 48” x 36” layered paper on canvas. It is currently sold. ✖️🖤

Create Now

Being a full-time artist I've been social distancing for years now, but all jokes aside, I find myself spending more time in deep thought. Way more than usual. One of the things I've been thinking about is how reminiscent this is to the mid 2000's. Not the circumstances, but the feeling of great uncertainty. In 2009, I graduated with an art degree at the height of the largest recession in US history. I came out of the gate guns-a-blazing. I applied to every design/art related job under the sun. Weeks turned into months which eventually turned into years. I don't think I heard back from one single job I applied to. I had no idea what I was up against. I mean that literally. I had no idea executive and senior level employees were taking junior level positions so they could feed their families. I had no concept of economy and infrastructure. How could I? All I knew were the things I loved. Things like art, music, fashion, and culture. Those were the things that gave me life.

I spent the next few years bouncing around from every odd job I could get. Anything to stay afloat. When I wasn't working, I was working on the art. I'd come home from mandatory six day, sixty hour work weeks and get to work on the art. In fact, I didn't sell my first piece of art until three years after I graduated. I didn't get my first media feature until 2011. (Shout out Complex!) So what's the point? The point is now is the time. In those three years sleeping on couches, eating out of vending machines, and constantly fighting with bill companies, the art gave me hope. The art is what kept me going. The belief that someday my art could give me a better life is what gave me hope. When things are at their worst, that's when the real work begins. Not only is this where the people who really want it start to lay their stakes and stand their ground, but now is the time where the world needs you the most. People need your art, they need your song, they need your writing, they need that business you've been thinking of creating, they need hope. They need something that brings them inspiration, motivation, and a break from all the doom and gloom that's around them. The people who start now and the ones that continue to blaze the trail despite the setbacks and circumstances, are the ones who come out on the other side for the better.

As awful as graduating with an art degree in 2009 was, it was the best thing to ever happen to me. It made me hungry, literally and figuratively. It made me hard as nails. It made me resourceful and grateful. The universe was weeding out my competition for me. It was weeding out everyone who had things handed to them in life. The people who didn't really want it, the ones who only kinda sorta wanted it or just wanted the end result, broke down and the people who wanted it, fell in love with the process and in doing so, learned a lifetime of valuable skills. You only grow when you are uncomfortable. That is where the magic happens. That is why it's imperative you create and build now. Trust me, you wont regret it.

Stay safe everyone. Please continue to practice social distancing and don't venture out unless it's imperative. Most of my mural projects are on hold until further notice. I am currently working on my 2020 Series, "Things I love" so I'll actively be rolling out new pieces in the coming weeks and beyond. With the murals on hold, I also have an abundance of newly open free time so I am also accepting commissions again. Don't hesitate if you have any questions simply reply to this email.

// Kyle

"Cousin Stizz x Kyle Mosher" Process Video

Growing up in New England it was hard to connect with people outside of sports. “Culture” was few and far between and only in small pockets that you really had to dig deep to find. Magazines and the internet were my outlet for all things music, fashion and art. Cousin Stizz is rapper from Boston that has blown up the last few years. It’s cool to see people like him showing out for New England in the creative space. As a kid, I would’ve loved to have some creative heroes in my own backyard. I decided to take my signature cut-paper style and immortalize him. Check out the process video below.

Introducing: "The Residency" Kyle Mosher x THREE30FIVE Apartments


Introducing: “The Residency”. A highlight of some of my murals and studio inside @335apts. This is the first video from a series of short videos I’ll be dropping on Instagram. Each video will have a theme and be specifically made for Instagram to highlight certain areas of my journey as an artist. This is also my first time working with 🎥@manasyengkhom who I met through @jacob.cruise after my talk at PHS. This dude killed it, give him a follow. We have more magic on the way. ;) 🤙🏼#XØ

"Hand of Light" Mural at Three30Five Building in Charlotte, NC

Newest mural for @335apts. This is actually the second exterior mural we’ve done here, but I’m dropping the big one last. Located at 335 Doggett St in Charlotte, NC.

Kyle Mosher Three30Five Art Residency

Ayyy!

As of July 2019, I will be doing a year long art residency at Three30Five in Charlotte, NC. This project will include me living on-site for a year and completing over a dozen murals for their residential and new commercial/retail property. Below is a little teaser video of the first 55 ft mural we are working on. More coming soon!

Here & Doing Things - Phase 001 | Trial 002: Kyle Mosher

Dave from Analogue Luxury is a creative powerhouse and visionary. Honored to be able to chop it up on his Podcast, “Here and Doing Things”. Peep the full-interview below.

Here & Doing Things is a live podcast recorded monthly speaking to creatives about how their experiences in art, design, life and business has shaped their perspective. This month we spoke with Kyle Mosher, a multi-disciplniary artist who's been developing a signature style and creating professionally for the better part of 10 years.

Your Testimony Could Be Someone's Breakthrough

Your Testimony Could Be Someone's Breakthrough

I've been in the creative space professionally for just about ten years now, the last six of those as a full-time working artist. One of the most important lessons I've learned in this industry is that independent artists and musicians alike cannot make it alone. I wish I would've learned this lesson sooner. No matter how much of our time, dedication, and resources we put in -- in addition to everything we sacrifice -- this is an industry where only one percent of people breakthrough. I'm convinced the difference between those breaking through and those giving up, is having a team of people behind them. Call them fans, supporters, collectors, street teams, managers, whatever; the people that support an artist are their biggest assets. These supporters exponentially improve the artist's quality of life emotionally, mentally, and physically, and improve any chance at being able to make it in this industry. 

Aside from purchasing art, people ask me all the time, "what can I do to help?" My best answer is this: like, comment, and share. Tell your friends. Tell your coworkers. Tell your family. Be a testimony for not just me, but for any other artists and musicians out there whose work you appreciate and believe in. Galleries and record labels have their places and there are some good ones out there, but at the end of the day they still hold the power and do what's best for their bottom line. They are the gatekeepers. The industry is changing (music faster than art), but these entities still hold the keys. We live in the social media age where artists and their fans (supporters and collectors) are taking the power back, and in order to do so, outside of monetary support, the best support is getting the word out about your favorite artist/musician. Outside of individual collectors and supporters, one of the biggest trends right now is artist collaboration with brands, agencies and companies, which are a big part of how up-and-coming artists are discovered. These collaborations usually have larger audiences and resources than the artist has individually, so if you know of an artist or musician that you love, share them with the people around you. The biggest boost an artist can receive is a larger business/brand's platform and/or sponsorship for their work. You never know where that opportunity could come from, nor where it could lead for an artist. 

I'll leave you with this story not many people know about Jeff Buckley's famous version of the song, "Hallelujah". Musicians and artists are discovered all the time through other people's testimonies. Jeff Buckley, at this point a struggling musician, discovered another musician's cover of the song, while he was house sitting for a friend. He was bored and had nothing else to do, so he played the record. The original version and the cover version were both relative flops, but Buckley found it, fell in love with it, and made it his own. He played it at a small bar in New York City where an executive from Columbia Records discovered him. The executive told a colleague at work, they watched him perform it, and they all fell in love with Buckley's version. Columbia Records eventually signed him, he recorded his own version of, "Hallelujah", and that became the popular version we know and love today. Supporting artists doesn't only entail purchasing their music or art, you can support your favorite artists and musicians by sharing their work and spreading the word. If it moves you, tell people. You never know, your testimony could be someone's breakthrough.

Thanks for the continued support. Appreciate everyone following along.

Mac Miller Tribute Portrait

One of the hardest things that no one tells you about chasing your dreams is the loneliness and alienation that comes with the journey. If we give everything to our craft what’s left for the people we love or ourselves? Mac Miller’s last album is the epitome of finding and crafting art from our inner soul even if that means going to some pretty dark places. A painfully honest and beautifully introspective look into the depths of his being. He put it all on the table. As an artist, no album has ever, or probably will ever, make more sense to me then, “Swimming.” It paralleled everything I was going through last year. I’m forever grateful for people like Mac Miller who are unapologetically flawed and yet real and brave enough to give everything they have to their craft. That level of commitment makes me feel a little less crazy and a little less lonely on my own journey.

“And sometimes, sometimes I wish I took a simpler route, instead of havin' demons that's as big as my house..” - Mac Miller (2018)

Kyle Mosher Murals

I’ve added a mural section to my website. These are a selection of murals I’ve worked on through out my career. Most of these murals are located in Charlotte, NC, but I’ve got a bunch lined up around the US for 2019. Check out my murals here. Shoot me an email for all pricing and inquiries regarding murals.