Welcome to our series, #WHYoming, brought to you in partnership by Kaumo Law.
We are highlighting people from around our communities and asking them a few questions. We want to learn a little about them and see why they chose this great state to raise their families, start their businesses, or simply to ask — Why Wyoming?
This week, I had a chance to sit down with Denise Mosley. She’s a Green River High School art teacher and a professional pinstriper and artist on her free time. She drives her classic cars to as many shows as she can to set up and pinstripe. Denise has 15 years’ experience as a professional artist.
Denise was recently featured in the kustom art and lifestyle magazine Pinstriping & Kustom Graphics Magazine.
“The editors of the magazine found my work on my Kustom DeLuxe artists page on Facebook and contacted me about doing a feature on me,” Denise said. “Once they received my story and images they responded, telling me that they wanted to put me on the cover!”
Follow Denise on her Doll Kustom professional pin-striping Facebook page.
This community series is brought to you by:
Denise, how did you end up in Green River?
I was hired over the phone after having applied and sent my resume to Sweetwater County School District #2 to be their new art teacher.
I was over the moon to have my first opportunity at following my dreams of teaching art classes!
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What is something unique about you?
I am a professional artist and pinstriper and hot rod and kustom car nut!
I currently own 6 cars including a 1954 Ford Customline, 1956 Studebaker President, 1961 Chevrolet Brookwood station wagon, 1963 Studebaker Lark, 1964 Ford pickup, and a 1928 Hupmobile project.
I’m fueled by paint fumes and gasoline!!!”
~ Denise Mosley
I’m also a member of the Throttle Queens Car Club that is made up of only girls that work on their own vintage automobiles!
Follow Danise on the Throttle Queens Car Club Facebook page.
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What do you appreciate most about our community?
I enjoy the close-knit atmosphere of our community and how supportive and welcoming they have been of me as a California transplant!
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If you could give one brief piece of advice, what would it be?
It’s nice to be nice, stay humble and work hard when following your dreams..”
~ Denise Mosley
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Where is your favorite place to hang out in Sweetwater County?
I enjoy spending my time cruising old back roads in my Studebaker and taking in the landscape. The Palisades are my favorite!
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Would you rather walk, ride a bike, take a horse or drive a car?
I will always prefer driving a car, a classic one, there’s nothing more satisfying than getting an old car running and driving after it has sat for years!
Denise named her two Studebaker cars, sisters’ Sally and Violet.
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What would you sing at karaoke night?
I mostly enjoy singing Patsy Cline, Walking after Midnight, Temptations, Ain’t too Proud to Beg, Rick James, Give it to me Baby, or Public Enemy, Bring the Noise.
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How would your friends describe you?
Probably that I’m studious and professional by day, and artistic and wild in my free time. Being an artist lends to having to have both qualities in full force, so it would depend on whether you asked people I work with, or people I play with!
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What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment comes in a group of little things that all fell together because of one another: I was successful at landing a professional art teaching job, was able to buy my own home, and have been able to thrive because of it!
I have an art studio within my home where I can continue to create and push myself both personally and professionally.
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Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
Kirsten Vangsness, the actress that plays Penelope Garcia on Criminal Minds, I’m often told that I remind people of her and I think she’s fabulous!
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Why do you continue to live in Wyoming?
It has become a home for me! I have an entirely new family here made of co-workers, friends, and clients from my artwork and pinstriping.
The arts are supported here, in the community and within the schools, and it’s a wholesome place to be.
For as cold as it is here, this place warms my heart.”
~ Denise Mosley
Follow Denise on her Doll Kustom professional pin-striping Facebook page.
If you’d like us to interview yourself or someone you know for #WHYoming, please send us suggestions to Lillian@sweetwaternow.com
