From a young age, Moses enjoyed painting and took art lessons in school. Some of her early works at home were landscape paintings made with lemon and grape juice. However, she put her artistic ambitions aside to earn a living.

Moses never lost her interest in art, continuing to produce embroidered pictures and quilted items for friends and family.

By the time she was 76, Moses developed arthritis, which made embroidery difficult and painful. Her sister then recommended she start painting again. She usually painted with her right hand, but when she experienced pain, she could also paint with her left hand. Moses’ paintings captured a nostalgic rural life, based on her years of farm life.

In 1938, and art collector discovered Moses’ paintings in a drug store window. He purchased all they had plus several more from Moses herself, all for between $3 and $5 each. The following year, three of her paintings were displayed in the New York Museum of Modern Art exhibition.

Soon, Moses’ art was on display in Europe and her paintings were selling for up to $10,000 each. In the 1950s, her exhibitions broke attendance records and her paintings were being reproduced on greeting cards, tiles, fabrics, and ceramics. They were also used to market coffee, lipstick, cigarettes, and cameras.

Grandma Moses received a number of honors during her lifetime. She received two honorary doctoral degrees and the Women’s National Press Club trophy Award for outstanding accomplishment in art. A documentary was made about her life and she wrote an autobiography. In 1960, New York celebrated her 100th birthday as “Grandma Moses Day,” and she was featured on the cover of Life magazine.