Joseph Coco to give illustrated talk about his “Full Moon Series”

River Union Stage is celebrating Joseph Coco’s 50th anniversary of “The Full Moon Series” with a presentation, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Catering to River Union Stage’s education outreach, the artist-musician will be speaking about creativity in compiling a series of 132 paintings, drawings and prints, inspired by the full moon, for over 50 years.

The talk will take place at Milford Church, 70 Bridge St., Milford, N.J. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for students and $10 for adults. Refreshments will be served without charge.

“The Full Moon Series” started in December of 1972 in Flagstaff, Ariz. After dedicating 50 years to this subject, the series includes Coco’s interests in archetypes, astronomy, biography, geography, ritual, synesthesia and music as principal themes. Every December as the full moon rises, the artist paints a synopsis of the year. Since 2000, the artist has been including January full moons, with an image that anticipates what the year will look like.

The series includes a double album of Coco’s music: “Silver Lamp” 13 instrumentals; and “I Paint The Moon” 19 songs culled from the artist-musician’s 58 releases.

A 260-page, full-color, coffee-table art book, has been published this year by Flying Game Press, designed by Darlene Mea of Zenfull Living.com. “I Paint The Moon” features 126 images, each with a detail. Eight essays by various authors are included. Purchase is available through the print-on-demand company: LuLu.com. CDs, posters and books will be available to purchase or order, at this event.

Coco is an adjunct professor teaching art appreciation, studio and history of rock n rap courses at Centenary University and Montclair State University since 1999.

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