Moshe Stahl is a New York City-based painter and illustrator who specializes in modern and contemporary abstract expressionist painting. Stahl attributes much of his success as a professional artist to being able to combine both creative and business abilities.
Moshe Stahl
He has always been an avid art student and collector, going on to study at the prestigious The City College of New York while also working as a commercial illustrator. After leaving the corporate world in 2006, Stahl started freelancing full-time, with clients such as The Black Dahlia Murder, Amazon, Twitter, Google, and more.
Today, he owns his own painting space in Brooklyn's Prospect Park neighborhood called Mixed Signals Studios. Here he brings his artistic vision to life by painting murals for local businesses as well as creating original works on canvas.
If you’re looking for an inspiring voice on any number of modern art trends—from digital illustration to installation art—you’ll want to listen to Stahl when he shares his insight on everything from the latest graffiti trend to his favorite sources of inspiration. You can catch him on Instagram @StahlMoshe or follow him on Facebook here.
Early Life and Education
Although he was raised in the U.S., Moshe spent his childhood in Israel. His family immigrated to the U.S. in 1981, and Moshe grew up in New York City. Growing up, Moshe was surrounded by art and was exposed to a variety of artistic influences. While still in high school, Moshe created his first oil painting “The Cruise of the Noose”.
Stahl grew up in a family with a passion for art. He eventually began his artistic studies at the prestigious The City College of New York, where he became a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the first professional illustrative fraternity in the United States. Afterward, he continued his studies at the art institute at Cooper Union in New York, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting in 1988.
Painiting Style
Stahl’s painting style is characterized by very simple compositions with strong colors. Many of his paintings feature strong female figures, Themes include modern and classic, human and animal, and still lifes. Stahl also likes to incorporate a variety of different textures in his paintings such as textures of fabric, vellum, and other materials.
His works have a strong sense of pathos, often conveyed by his use of light and shadow.
Career
During his time at The City College of New York, Stahl also became a member of The Student Union, where he met and befriended artists including Alvin Kaye, Ian Bicklin, and Brad Wucherpfennig, with whom he would later collaborate on several projects. At the same time, Stahl began his professional career as a commercial illustrator, working for companies like American Express, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
Today, Mr. Stahl focuses his creative energy on painting digital art, often using the Adobe Creative Cloud platform, with a range of popular software including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. He is known for creating immersive, fantastical pieces that employ a variety of visual styles, including vibrant abstracts, complex geometries, and surrealist portraits. Stahl's work has been featured in numerous international publications and events, including the 2016 Whitney Biennial and Frieze New York City.
Art Inspirations
As an artist, there are numerous sources of inspiration for Mr. Stahl, many of which can be traced back to his childhood during which he painted and Draw-it-All-Over, a now-defunct art form that he began experimenting with while a student at The City College of New York. Drawing on a canvas, or “painting on pavements,” as Stahl calls it, has always been a central part of his artistic process, along with the interaction with his creative environment—the walls, the people, and the city itself.
Moshe Stahl Art Foundation
Moshe’s work can be found in a variety of public and private collections. He has had several pieces selected to be part of traveling museum exhibits. Established in 1999, the Moshe Stahl Art Foundation produces public annual art exhibits, has funded a number of artist residencies, and has supported a number of education initiatives. The foundation also publishes an annual journal and runs a successful online gallery. The foundation is also building a new gallery in New York City and will be opening a museum in Tel Aviv in 2025. For more information, visit moshestahl.com.
