Joshua Moll on Creative Expression & Mindset

Art, Storytelling, and the Journey Behind the Work

Introduction

Creative expression is as much about the process as it is about the final piece. For Joshua Moll, art is a living conversation—between the creator, the work, and the audience. Storytelling is its heartbeat, and the behind-the-scenes process is where the real magic unfolds.

Whether painting, writing, or crafting a narrative in another medium, Moll believes creativity is about curiosity, disciplined practice, and letting your unique perspective shape the work. This article explores how he approaches art, storytelling, and process to keep creativity alive and authentic.

1. Art as a Form of Discovery

1.1 More Than the End Product

Moll sees art as a journey into the unknown. Each piece starts as a spark—sometimes a clear image, sometimes just a feeling. The creation process becomes an exploration, and often, the piece reveals more to the artist than the artist initially knew.

1.2 Emotion as the Core Medium

Regardless of the physical medium—canvas, clay, film—Moll treats emotion as the real medium of art. He asks himself: What do I want the viewer to feel? This emotional anchor guides his creative decisions, from color choices to composition.

1.3 Staying Playful

For Moll, play is essential. Playfulness keeps the work fresh and reduces the pressure to create a “masterpiece.” Some of his most compelling ideas have come from experiments that began with no expectations.

2. Storytelling: The Pulse of Creative Work

2.1 Stories Give Art Its Voice

A striking image or well-crafted scene can capture attention, but it’s the story behind it that makes people remember it. Moll uses storytelling to add depth to his work, allowing audiences to connect with it on a personal level.

2.2 Building Characters and Worlds

Even in non-narrative art, Moll imagines backstories. A single abstract figure might have a history in his mind, influencing how he shapes its posture or color palette. This invisible narrative gives the piece energy and cohesion.

2.3 Inviting the Audience Into the Story

Moll avoids making his stories too rigid, leaving room for interpretation. This allows viewers to project their own experiences into the work, making the connection more personal and lasting.

3. Behind-the-Scenes: How the Work Comes Together

3.1 Gathering Sparks of Inspiration

Moll collects ideas constantly—photographs, snippets of conversation, dreams, fragments of music. These become a library of creative triggers he can draw from when starting a new piece.

3.2 The Creative “Warm-Up”

Before diving into a project, he spends time warming up—sketching loosely, free-writing, or experimenting with textures and colors. This reduces pressure and opens the mind to unexpected directions.

3.3 Draft, Revise, Repeat

The first version is rarely the final. Moll treats early drafts as raw material to be shaped and reshaped. He sees refinement not as correcting mistakes, but as uncovering the clearest version of the original spark.

4. Mindset Shifts That Unlock Creativity

4.1 From Inspiration-First to Action-First

Moll doesn’t wait for the “perfect” idea before starting. Instead, he begins working and trusts that inspiration will catch up. This keeps momentum alive and prevents creative stagnation.

4.2 From Perfection to Progress

Aiming for perfection can paralyze. Moll measures success by progress—did the work move forward today? This mindset makes it easier to stay consistent over the long term.

4.3 From Fear to Curiosity

When a piece feels risky or uncomfortable, Moll takes it as a sign to lean in, not back away. Curiosity turns uncertainty into an opportunity for discovery.

5. The Interplay of Art, Story, and Process

5.1 Why Process Matters

For Moll, the process is where personal growth happens. It’s in the trial, error, and revision that the artist discovers new skills, ideas, and ways of seeing. The finished work is just a snapshot of a much larger journey.

5.2 Story Shapes the Process

Knowing the emotional or narrative core of a project helps Moll make decisions throughout the process—what to cut, what to keep, and how to guide the audience’s experience.

5.3 Art Evolves Through the Process

Often, the story he thought he was telling changes halfway through creation. Being open to these shifts keeps the work authentic and alive.

6. Practical Steps to Apply This Approach

If you want to work the way Moll does, try this framework:

1. Collect Constantly – Keep a notebook or photo folder for sparks of inspiration.
2. Warm Up Creatively – Spend 10–15 minutes playing with your medium before starting the “real” work.
3. Anchor in Emotion – Decide how you want the audience to feel and let that guide your decisions.
4. Leave Space for Interpretation – Invite your audience to see themselves in your work.
5. Document Your Process – Photos, videos, or notes help you reflect and improve.

Conclusion

Joshua Moll’s creative philosophy blends curiosity, discipline, and openness to change. By treating art as a form of exploration, storytelling as a bridge, and process as a living journey, he creates work that is both deeply personal and universally engaging.

As he often says, “The piece you finish is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of someone else’s.”