Submitted Photo
Jo’l Moore, of Rio Communities, is a local artist, who is the operational manager of Books on Becker in Belen.
Local artist, Jo’l Moore, enjoys creating, drinking, smoking and would have some interesting questions for Eve
Jo’l Moore, of Rio Communities, is a local artist and the operational manager of Books on Becker (since March 2021). She is the past president (three years) and current treasurer for the Belen Art League, vice president of the Friends of the Belen Public Library (since September 2021). She has a master’s degree in psychotherapy and counseling. She and her husband, John, have seven children and eight grandchildren. They have a blended family.
Q |
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? |
A |
“Not getting pulled over. My mind wanders so much so I have to focus on speed, lights, stop signs and other cars. I get distracted by how lights reflect against shadows, by the curve of the Rio Grande, the shape of cottonwood trees and bumper stickers.” |
Q |
What’s a myth about your profession you’d like to bust? |
A |
“Since I’ve retired, my profession is being just me. Being an artist, being whatever I choose to do is my job. I’d like to burst through all of my own limitations and false beliefs about whatever lies or limitations I thought were true.” |
Q |
What were you like in high school? |
A |
“Pretty sad. So many dreams and so many family demands. Probably in the middle of the food chain. Got elected class president one year, worked on the school newspaper, acted in school plays. Got Ds in math and As in English. My drivers education teacher gave me a World War II trench coat, and I gave my junior year counselor a rolled joint.” |
Jo’l Moore in the first grade.
BOB, the Books on Becker bookworm was created by Jo’l Moore.
“I drink, smoke and paint,” says Jo’l Moore
Jo’l Moore’s daughter, Emily.
Q |
What is the best advice you’ve ever received and from whom? |
A |
“I was struggling with divorce, kids, college and mental issues. An older female student told me that the universe will respond to whatever we put out to it. She said it was like an echo that always says yes. If I said, ‘I can’t do this,’ the universe will say yes. If I said, ‘I got this” the universe echoes back yes. I think I learned how responsible I am for my own outcomes.” |
Q |
What did you want to be when you grew up? |
A |
“I remember being a little kid and my mom had the TV on to Oral Roberts and he was doing healings by laying his hands on people. Our cat was sick and I tried to heal him through the energy in my hands. I can’t remember if it worked or not. Not sure if I wanted to be a healer or a party planner but it’s all about bringing things to wholeness.” |
Q |
Who inspires you? |
A |
I’m so inspired by folks who rise above what they think they can do or told they can’t. Arleen Cruz, the Goodwill worker at the bookstore, inspires me because she just keeps growing and flowing. I’m inspired by those who rise up against opposition and tyranny.” |
Q |
If you could work any other job for one day, what would it be and why? |
A |
“I’d be God. I’d end all the suffering, climate destruction, starvation and everything else that hurts us so much. And I’d give you a raise.” |
Q |
What do you do in your free time? |
A |
“I drink, smoke and paint.” |
Q |
What’s something about you most people don’t know? |
A |
“When I was a year old, I was held in the arms of Kirk Douglas when he was filming in the redwoods for the movie ‘The Big Trees.’ It was my first taste of stardom.” |
Q |
What three books would you to take to a deserted island? |
A |
“OK, I’m on a boat that is sinking or a plane that’s crashing and I’m going to think about taking books? Who’d have time to read when you have to find water, build a shelter and crack coconuts?” |
Q |
You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do? |
A |
“I’d like to buy the Belen Art League Gallery building and give it to them. I envision giving whatever it takes to renovate the old City Hall to make it an art space, and I’d get a new Subaru.” |
Q |
Who is your best friend and why? |
A |
“It’s my daughter, Emily Humada. She laughs at my lame jokes, calls me on my sh**, hoorays my little triumphs and picks up the dog poo in my yard.” |
Q |
What’s your favorite song to sing when you’re alone? |
A |
“Have you heard me sing? It scares the crows away. ‘Only the Lonely,’ because no one else would listen.” |
Q |
Where is your happy place, and why? |
A |
“I love being at Books on Becker. To help someone find the book they were looking for, to see high school students find a classic novel they need for a class, to see little kids carrying out free books and to help an elderly man find the musical that he was searching for.” |
Q |
Have you had a life-changing experience that led you to where you are today? |
A |
“Leaving the Jehovah’s Witness cult was one of the hardest things I ever have experience. It led to finding my own moral compass.” |
Q |
What teacher had the greatest impact on you? |
A |
“Karen Voss was my speech communication and women’s studies professor at Humboldt State College. She opened my world to the language of how women have been to taught to be submissive and invisible.” |
Q |
What is your favorite movie scene and why? |
A |
“The scene in ‘Independence Day’ where Randy Quaid flies his plane into the alien’s ship to blow them to hell. In the movie, he’s shown as a loser but he saves the day. He gave up his life to save planet.” |
Q |
If you could have dinner with one famous person — dead or alive — who would it be and why? |
A |
“Dead, alive or mythical? How about Eve? Eve, what tempted you to bite into that juicy apple? Was the serpent an extension of your rebellion or hunger for vitamin C? “I’d really like to meet Barak Obama and have dinner (and drinks of course) with him and Robin Williams.” |
Q |
What are you most proud of? |
A |
“My kids, despite all odds, they are amazing.” |
Q |
How would you like to be remembered? |
A |
“Just that someone will smile and raise a glass when they think of me.” |
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 18, 2024
