Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Moore.
Hi Jeffrey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins the moment I first wrapped my small fingers around a pencil and box of crayons. From that instant, art was not something I did—it was something I was. With no formal training, my journey has been entirely self-taught, guided by curiosity, instinct, and an endless desire to create. I make what I love, and I hope others find a piece of themselves reflected in it too.
Born and raised in Carroll County, Maryland, I spent years living in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina before finding my home in Ocala, Florida in 2022. Each move added a new layer of perspective, fueling my creative spirit and widening my lens on the world. No matter where I’ve lived, one thing has remained constant: the need to make.
A Life in Many Mediums
For me, creativity knows no boundaries. Watercolors—on both Yupo and traditional paper—are often my compass, but I’ve also immersed myself in copper repoussé and chasing, metalworks, hand-fired jewelry, pottery, photography, and even culinary artistry. Baking a cake or composing a copper wren carries the same creative spark. When I create, I go in 100%, chasing excellence until I feel the work hum with life.
I sometimes joke about my short attention span, but in truth, it’s what allows me to explore such a wide array of mediums. I may spend weeks drenched in watercolor only to drift toward copper for months, before circling back again. Creativity, for me, is cyclical—an orbit I can’t escape, nor would I want to. And when I’m not creating, I feel the absence deeply. Art isn’t a pastime. It’s the very thing that steadies me, lifts me, and keeps me whole.
Art as Vocation and Profession
By day, I am the Creative Director for The Villages in Central Florida, where I’m fortunate to channel imagination and design into shaping experiences for one of the most vibrant communities in the country. By night—and often long into the weekend—I return to my own studio, where painting, sculpting, writing, and making become both meditation and exploration.
Awards, Exhibits & Recognition
Over the years, my work has found its way into galleries, juried shows, and private collections across the country and abroad. I’ve been honored with awards in photography, watercolor, and copper sculpture—moments that affirm the resonance of my creative voice. Locally, my pieces are exhibited at the Gateway Art Gallery in Lake City, Florida, and at my home studio in Ocala. Many can also be found online at Jeffrey-Moore.com.
Looking ahead, my home gallery will once again open its doors during the 2026 Stone Creek Artist Home Gallery Tour, scheduled for January 31 and February 1. I also curate the Stone Creek Fine Art Showcase—a juried monthly exhibit highlighting talented artists from the Ocala area, complete with First Friday receptions and artist meet-and-greets.
Educator, Mentor & Advocate for the Arts
My journey isn’t only about creating—it’s about sharing. I’ve had the privilege of teaching young artists through the Youth Art League, sparking creativity in the next generation. I also give frequent talks and workshops on “The Art of Selling Art,” a subject close to my heart. These sessions help artists navigate the business side of creativity, empowering them to not only make but also sustain a life in art.
I’ve presented at numerous clubs, organizations, and conferences, and each time I’m reminded that art isn’t just about what hangs on the wall—it’s about community, connection, and conversation.
A Florida Chapter
Since moving to Florida, my work has found fertile ground and a warm reception. The landscapes, skylines, and endless play of light inspire new explorations in watercolor and copper. My subjects are as varied as life itself—people, trees, barns, animals, waterscapes, and imagined forms. No matter the medium, my goal is always the same: to capture something fleeting, emotional, and true.
I’m an associate member of the Florida Watercolor Society, a supporting member of the Marion Cultural Alliance at Brick City Center for the Arts, and a proud supporter of the Art League of North Florida, Inc., a 501(c)(3) community arts organization. These memberships deepen my ties to the artistic community and keep me connected to the collective heartbeat of Florida’s art scene.
Recently I took the stage at the Ocala Civic Theatre for a live demonstration of my copper sculpting techniques, hosted by the Ocala Art Group. Events like this keep me inspired, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing my process with others.
Through it all, my story remains rooted in the same truth that began in childhood: I was born to create. Art is both my refuge and my revelation. And as long as there’s color to paint, metal to shape, or cakes to bake, I’ll keep chasing the spark that makes life meaningful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every artist’s path has its twists, and mine is no different. If I’ve struggled with anything, it hasn’t been inspiration—it’s been time. Balancing a demanding career, the commitments of daily life, and the constant tug of creativity often feels like a three-ring circus where all the acts are competing for center stage.
There have been seasons where my brushes sat idle because deadlines at work demanded every ounce of focus, or where copper sheets collected dust while family obligations rightfully took precedence. For someone like me, whose creativity is almost a compulsion, those stretches can feel heavy—like a musician separated from their instrument.
But in many ways, that tension has shaped my art. The time restraints forced me to become more intentional. Every stolen hour in the studio became precious, every weekend experiment in watercolor or copper had to count. It taught me discipline, perseverance, and perhaps most importantly, to see creativity not as a luxury, but as a lifeline.
So while the road hasn’t always been smooth, the bumps have carved out resilience. They’ve pushed me to innovate, to pivot mediums when life demanded flexibility, and to cherish the creative process even more deeply. And truthfully, those challenges have only reinforced my belief that art isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am, even in the busiest of seasons.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My professional path has always revolved around creativity and communication. I studied Journalism, which gave me a foundation in storytelling—learning how to not just convey information, but to craft it in a way that resonates. That foundation carried me through my years in marketing at Genesis HealthCare, where I worked to give voice and visibility to a national brand in the healthcare space.
Today, I serve as a Director of Creative Services for The Villages, the largest active adult community in the country. It’s a role that sits at the intersection of design, storytelling, and experience-building, and it’s both exhilarating and humbling. I work with a large team of talented creatives, and together we bring the brand to life through everything from large-scale events and marketing campaigns to environmental design, signage, and interactive experiences.
What I’m most proud of is not just the work itself, but the way it connects to people’s lives. In The Villages, creativity has a tangible impact—you’re not just designing a flyer, you’re helping someone discover a passion, join a community event, or feel a deeper sense of belonging. That sense of purpose elevates everything we do.
What sets me apart, I think, is my ability to blend both sides of creativity—the artistic and the strategic. My art background allows me to approach design with sensitivity and imagination, while my professional career has sharpened my ability to align that creativity with strategy, brand identity, and measurable impact. I see the big picture, but I also love diving into the details of execution.
At the end of the day, I’m proud to be known as someone who inspires both my team and my community to see creativity not as decoration, but as a driver of connection, identity, and joy.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve always believed that risk is where growth begins. Creativity itself is a form of risk—every time you put a piece of art into the world, you’re exposing a part of yourself to judgment, rejection, or simply silence. But without that leap, nothing new is ever born.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my journey came when I decided to turn a creative hobby into a full-fledged business. While living in Pennsylvania, I started experimenting with landscape photography, eventually getting into trade shows and honing my skills. That opened the door to portraiture, headshots, weddings, and event photography. At a certain point, I decided to go all in. I bought a building in the historic district of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, and turned it into a professional studio.
It was a huge leap—financially and personally—but it paid off. Not only did I operate that studio for years, all while working my professional full-time career. But I also earned recognition, being voted “Best Photographer in York County” multiple years in a row. The experience taught me that risk is rarely comfortable, but it almost always teaches you something valuable. Sometimes the reward is success, sometimes it’s resilience, and often it’s both.
Today, even in my role at The Villages or in my personal art, I still carry that mindset. Risk means moving beyond what’s safe or familiar. It means trusting your instincts, being willing to pivot when needed, and seeing opportunity where others might only see uncertainty. And for me, that willingness to take a chance has been the very thing that’s kept my creative journey alive and evolving.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jeffrey-moore.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-moore-7968685/
