Ms. Mo: Exploring the Mo'shroom
Hello!
My name is Amy Moseley, but everyone knows me as Ms. Mo.
My pronouns are she/her. I graduated from the University of Arizona in 2013 with a double bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and Art Education. For the past decade, I have been teaching art at a small charter school in Tucson, Arizona, and I aim to continue nurturing young minds through art. While teaching, my administration saw something unique in me and gave me an unexpected opportunity. They recognized that my personal experiences with special needs children (I have two wonderful children on the spectrum) and my interest in accommodating special needs students made me an excellent candidate to become the 504 coordinator at my school. The combination of teaching art and building 504 plans has shaped me into a person that I am proud to be.
As a mother of two children who are on the spectrum, their unique experiences have significantly influenced the creation of my artistic persona, the Mo'shroom. The Mo'shroom embodies a blend of social awkwardness, anxiety, and impulsivity - a manifestation that resonates with many facing similar challenges. In many ways, it represents my children, as well as myself and the students that have entered my classroom. In the story, many critters encounter the Mo’shroom and their reactions range from anger and confusion, love and acceptance, and, at times, apathy. The Mo’shroom struggles with internal issues while external forces threaten any foundations already laid. Through the story of the Mo'shroom, I aim to explore and express the complexities of living with these traits, fostering understanding and empathy in those it encounters. Whether you can relate personally, or you just want to better understand, I welcome you to join me on this journey of exploration and growth.*
*Please note: The Mo'shroom represents a fusion of personal and shared experiences, shedding light on the intricate nuances of navigating life with these characteristics.
Where it All Began
Nearing the end of my college years, I thought I had finally found my niche. I was creating large abstract paintings of old vintage signs, showcasing their rust and faded, peeling paint. But then I started teaching. Everything changed! Time needed to work and to paint became a dance with one dominating the other (work usually one) so I wanted something that was small and easy to replicate. In 2017, I had a class that created themed sketchbooks. Each student thoughtfully picked a topic for their sketchbook: candy, gears, flowers, etc. I love creating right alongside my students and they reminded me how much I like mushrooms. Each day we had a new prompt and each day I had to draw that prompt, but with mushrooms. I personified a lot of mushrooms and mashed-up mushrooms with all kinds of things from robots to bouquets. My favorite prompt was to draw a monster. It was in October and Halloween is my most favorite of holidays, so I drew two mushrooms quietly sneaking up on a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch, opening their mouths wide to reveal long, sharp fangs. The pumpkin didn’t stand a chance! And that was that! After that, I drew this little monster everywhere I could. Students started asking me about it, what or who it was, was it mean, why was it shouting, can I draw it with a smile (my answer has always been no), and could I draw them a mushroom. As the mushroom evolved and took on its personality, I realized that it was a lot like me. It would do the things I was not allowed to do, like shout and be angry. My children and my students commented that they couldn’t shout or be angry either. By the end of the year, the school was familiar with my monster. I don’t remember if it was my students who chose its name or if I did, but Ms. Mo needed to name her mushroom the Mo’shroom. Since then, the Mo’shroom has taken on many aspects that one would see on the spectrum or with someone who is neurodivergent. I myself am very neuro-spicy. I hope you find a connection with this lovable, yet very grumpy mushroom monster. He is a fungi, after all!