The Writing is on the Wall at Plumas Bank’s Chico Gallery: Meet Featured Artist Tim B. Moore

Chico residents know Tim Buc Moore from listening to his 106.7 Z-Rock morning show for the last 15 years, but now they can also see his creativity on full display thanks to a community collaboration between Plumas Bank and monca — the Museum of Northern California Art.

Through January 30, the Plumas Bank Chico branch invites you to immerse yourself in artist Tim B. Moore’s visual world, where his innovative take on the written word takes center stage in the bank’s dedicated art gallery space.

Moore has been sketching his whole life, but his professional journey as an artist only began in 2016. He got his start by casually sharing his sketches on social media, quickly gaining followers and earning opportunities — including participation in Chico’s Art & Wine Walk in 2017.

Asemic Writing: The Heart of Moore’s Art

Moore says his work is inspired by his fascination with words.

“Without words, you can’t have a concept, and you can’t have thought,” he described. “In fact, a lot of people believe we actually hallucinate our reality through metaphor. And I've always been fascinated with consciousness, and the brain is a hard drive and each different language is like the program it's running on.”

So his works bridge the gap between emotion and language, as he also draws inspiration from ancient hieroglyphics and Norse writing, as well as modern influences like Cy Twombly. Many of his pieces on display at Plumas Bank and elsewhere in the community reflect an artistic style called asemic writing — a form of abstract expression using lines and symbols that look like writing but do not translate to literal meaning.

For Moore, who navigates dyslexia and ADHD, asemic writing serves as both a creative outlet and a subliminal diary. He describes his process as tapping into what he calls “the subconscious side energy,” allowing raw emotion to guide his work.

“I have a hard time writing, so it’s almost musical,” he shared. “I’ve been through some difficult times, and art was my place to go to express myself.”

Inside the Exhibit

Visitors to the Plumas Bank gallery will find a thoughtfully curated selection of Moore’s works, chosen with the help of monca. The exhibit showcases a range of styles and time periods, reflecting his evolving creative vision. One standout piece even earned a place in the Sacramento Fine Arts Cookbook, a testament to Moore’s growing recognition in the regional art world. Each piece invites viewers to interpret its layers, sparking personal connections and new perspectives.

Art and Community

Moore is deeply rooted in Chico’s art scene and passionate about the role of public art in community development. In fact, he envisions more opportunities for local artists to showcase their work, including transforming vacant storefronts into pop-up galleries. “When a city embraces the arts, it makes everything better,” Moore shared, emphasizing the metamorphic power of creativity in public spaces.

Chico Arts Commissioner Vianna Boring Renaud agrees, adding that the Chico 2030 General Plan highlights a focus on public art.

“Culture, heritage, preservation, community — they all feed in together,” she said. “So we need more partnerships like this one between Plumas Bank and monca to provide these public art opportunities. I’ve been on the City of Chico Arts Commission for two years, and off hand, I’m not aware of any other industry collaboration like this one.”  

Plan Your Visit

Tim B. Moore’s exhibit at the Plumas Bank artist space is open through January 30. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Chico art scene or a newcomer looking for inspiration, this is an opportunity to experience the unique interplay of language, emotion, and abstraction in Moore’s work.

“I’m expressing myself, and people are connecting — that’s really cool,” he added.

Plumas Bank’s branch location at 900 Mangrove Avenue has acted as an extended gallery space since 2023, featuring artwork created by local artists. Previous featured artists have included, among others:

• Local printmaker Brandon Hernandez
• Paula Busch, who specializes in encaustic art
• Janet Blixt and her en plein air artwork

To see Moore’s work in person, community members can stop by the branch any weekday the bank is open during regular business hours — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also on permanent display are fine art landscape prints on metal by Paradise photographer Jeremy Vesely and Plumas Bank’s featured outdoor mural by Chico artist Dylan Tellesen.

Learn more about Plumas Bank’s Chico branch