Upon my retirement from the Shedd Early Learning Center in 1988, the parents and faculty gave me a signed print by P. Buckley Moss. A schoolhouse stands in the background, while children, in Mennonite dress, play in the foreground as the schoolmaster rings a bell to summon them. The picture was appropriate, for P. Buckley Moss supports education for dyslexic children, and the Shedd-Montessori curriculum was designed to prevent and/or remediate children with dyslexia and other perceptual problems.
I was fascinated by this artist whose unique style produced paintings that sell for thousands of dollars, who has an avid following of collectors, and heads a foundation dedicated to increasing public awareness of the need for schools to develop and implement effective art instruction to children with special needs.
I decided to interview her and learn what led her to this philanthropic work. She granted an interview gladly, eager to share her experience and help educate the public about dyslexia. We sat in her spacious house, “The Barn,” so named because it was previously a real barn, located near the P. Buckley Moss Museum on the outskirts of Waynesboro, Virginia.
Pat was 45 years old when she realized she was dyslexic. She saw herself in the description of this perceptual disorder that renders intelligent children unable to read unless they are taught in a different way. This was the reason for her own unfortunate experience as a school girl.
She recalled one instance when her teacher read a student’s essay to the class. Although Pat did not understand what was so funny, she laughed with the rest of the class. Then the teacher handed the paper to her. Her stomach squeezed into a tight little ball and her cheeks flamed red. She wished she could take a deep breath and disappear. Ugly red marks covered the paper and she realized her own misspelled words and topsy-turvy sentences had caused the laughter.
That happened many years ago before teachers understood Pat’s problem – dyslexia. Although most children learn to read words and make sense of sentences, printed letters confuse dyslexic children. Sometimes they seem to be turned around or go in the wrong direction. They must labor hard to read or write each word.
Although Pat was intelligent, wanted to learn, and worked hard she made many mistakes when she tried to read or write. Other children laughed at her, called her “dummy” or “stupid.” Her teachers accused her of not trying, rapped her knuckles, and sent her to the principal’s office. Even her parents did not understand.
Pat was tempted to give up but two things saved her – her talent for drawing and her Grandpa Buckley. While her family read after dinner, she drew pictures. She learned she could tell stories through her drawings. And Grandpa Buckley believed in her. After school she would race across the grassy field that separated their houses. Sitting beside his brown rocker she would pour out her problems.
“If you really want to do something, and try your hardest, you can do it,” he told her.
Pat took his advice and concentrated on the things she could do well, such as drawing and sports. As her confidence grew, even school work was easier. Her talent earned her a place at a special art school; and later she won a scholarship to college. Now her reports to Grandpa Buckley were joyous ones.
Pat married after college and soon had a family of six children. Even then she found time to paint each day and gave away most of her paintings. She made her own Christmas cards and since money was scarce sometimes the children had to take drawings as gifts to birthday parties. “This isn’t a proper present,” they complained. “I’ll look silly!”
But such distribution caused word of her art to spread. She entered the Sidewalk Art Show in Roanoke and sold paintings for practically nothing. People came to her house wanting to buy paintings of geese, horses, houses, churches and the “Plain People.” These were Amish and Mennonite families whose simple lives and religious devotion inspired her. Many of her paintings show them working on the farm, caring for their children, or riding in their horse-drawn buggies.
In a short time, P. Buckley Moss became famous. Prints of her work are displayed in hospitals, schools and homes of many collectors. Charles Kuralt, who interviewed interesting people for television, called P. Buckley Moss “The People’s Artist.” Her paintings celebrating everyday life are sold throughout the world.
P. Buckley Moss remembers how dyslexia made her school days miserable. She visits schools and talks to children – especially those who are dyslexic.
“It’s very important to let children know they can become successful,” she said.
One of her paintings is called “The Tree of Learning,” which was auctioned off to benefit Roanoke’s Achievement Center, where dyslexic children receive special education. The tree’s outstretched limbs welcome all children as their teachers sit under it, reading. In the background a star shines faintly at the top of a mountain, symbolizing the shining hope of success, if they work hard to climb the mountain.
P. Buckley moss encourages children to believe in themselves, work hard, and develop their special gifts. And she continues to paint every day.
