September 12, 2008 - Many subjects in artist Tom Mosser's best-known works need no introduction.

He's created art depicting well-known athletes and sports legends for the Pirates, Penguins, Baltimore Orioles, New York Giants, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils, including a 30-foot by 200-foot mural inside the Devils' home arena, the Prudential Center in Newark.

But identifying some of the people in Mosser's most recent works -- installed this week in a storefront at 3524 Butler St. in Lawrenceville -- might require a scorecard.

"The building's owner, Lee Gross, approached me about doing some drawings that honor the people who've played a role in revitalizing this neighborhood," Mosser said. "I thought it was a fantastic idea."

The first two pieces are portraits of state Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, who has an office across the street, and James Gray, the owner of Dozen Bake Shop, which opened in January on Butler Street.

Gross said the idea for what's been dubbed the Pittsburgh Portrait series grew out of a desire to promote the community he's come to love.

"I think Tom does some really neat portraits, and I had a storefront that I'm not quite ready to rent out, so I suggested we work together to do something that would promote his art and Lawrenceville," Gross said.

Mosser, who draws and paints with both hands, is making the portraits with the Loop Technique, a style he developed that uses elongated circles drawn against the grain of Coroplast, a plastic version of the material used to make corrugated boxes.

Gross was a major player in the redevelopment of the East Carson Street business district on the South Side and has been rehabilitating properties in Lawrenceville since 1995.

Ferlo said he is honored to have his portrait on display.

"I have a face only a mother could love, so I'm flattered by the portrait," Ferlo said. "A lot of us, especially politicians, espouse the importance of neighborhood redevelopment. But Lee is one of those people who takes what we talk about and makes it a reality."

Gray, whose bake shop is in one of Gross' buildings, said seeing a 45-inch by 36-inch portrait of himself on public display "is a little spooky," but he is honored to be a part of the what he considers a worthwhile way to promote Lawrenceville.

"I really didn't have much of a say in being picked -- Lee came over one day and said, 'Tom is doing some drawings of local business people, and you and Ferlo are up first.' He's my landlord, so who was I to argue?" Gray said.

Gross and Mosser plan to keep the portrait series fresh by displaying new portraits every few weeks. They are focusing on people in Lawrenceville but hope to eventually expand it to other city residents.

Mosser is working on the next portrait to go on display -- Jeffrey Smith, who moved his upscale hair salon from Shadyside to Lawrenceville in 2002.

"Coming to Lawrenceville was the best career move I ever made," Smith said. "So, even though I'm pretty shy in front of the camera, I went along with the concept, because it will help promote the neighborhood."

Read more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/tribpm/s_587900.html

Publication: Pittsburgh Tribune Review

<< Back to Newsroom