The last little while has produced two commissions that called for canvases that would fit in niches, and arched niches at that. Here’s a little of the process and the result as they look in their unique settings.
The lively girl and (at rest) me.
The first was another in the flamenco dancer theme, this one painted with broad brush and long sweeps. The source material was a photo I shot a year or so ago and have referred to a number of times for paintings. This is how it looked the day it was delivered and hung in a new custom home in La Quinta, California. What doesn’t show is the immense length of the hall, with the painting providing a wonderful focal point at the far end. Another thing it doesn’t show, and something we didn’t think about, was the significant challenge to get it hung. With the tolerances so close, once you’ve hung it on the hook, how do you get your hand and arm back out?
A copy of the plans provided accurate measures for the arch…an actual circle (unlike the flamenco).
For the next one the tolerance weren’t quite so close. Not that I’d necessarily learned on the first one, but the width of available canvas determined the size this one would be. The painting was to fill a niche in a newly remodeled church lobby in San Clemente. Construction was still in process when I went by to check out the space. That’s my blue tape on the wall establishing parameters.
Wanting to modernize it a bit, I had Anne take pictures of me imitating the poses of the three figures. (Very strange.)
The pastor had a particular painting in mind that he wanted me to reproduce in my own style. It was to be a representation of Rublev’s Icon of the Trinity, a famous 15th century painting for the Orthodox Church, now housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. I did a bit of research and learned it’s considered the most perfect icon painted. Besides the trinity, it depicts the three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak of Mamre, a famous Old Testament story.
Once again, the size of the piece taxed my studio space.
In the end, I realized modernizing it wouldn’t do it justice. I suppose Andrei Rublev knew nobody could really hold a pose like that, that shoulders aren’t really that round, or hands that small. But his was a high point of a style long established, and who was I to try and improve on that? My style additions were limited to thrown and dripping paint, acrylic overlaid with oil, with passages of gold and variegated leaf patterned in.
The skeleton as it appeared at the framer.
Here’s a significant part of the painting that no one will ever see. This is the custom stretcher bar apparatus as it came from the carpenter and before the canvas was cut and stretched.
Rublev’s Icon of the Trinity, my version, 99×78 inches
And here’s the final piece in its new home, all eight by six feet of it. I must say the reception has been very positive. These photos don’t do it justice. Anyone wanting to see it in person can likely make arrangements with the San Clemente Presbyterian Church, or certainly on a Sunday morning. And you’ll hear a good sermon, too.
Fall Show at the House, Nov. 21, 22
Mark your calendar for the next show at the house. The season will be perfect for shopping, for yourself or for others, with a broad array of subject matter, approaches, and prices.
November 21, 22
Saturday, 4:00-9:00
Sunday, 1:00-5:00
33752 Big Sur
Dana Point, California 92629
(949) 240-4642
Laguna Art Walk, Thursday, Nov. 5, 6:00 pm
Studio 7 Gallery (Hyatt)
1590 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach
11:00-5:00
Sandstone Gallery (Anne)
384-A North Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, California 92651
12:00-5:00 (closed Tuesdays)
Correction
I’ll be in Gallery 7 starting this week every Saturday, not Thursdays as announced last time. Anne continues to be at the Sandstone Gallery on Thursdays. Come and see us.
11:06 am
The paintings are beautiful. Thank you for keeping me on your e-mail list. GOD Bless!
Yeshua Ha Meshiach
11:31 am
Very nice! I looked at pics of the original icon and your copy is very accurate. The flamenco dancer is exiting. You’re not afraid to tackle the unique challenges of a specific space. Thanks for sharing with us how you did it.
11:59 am
Hyatt,
I always enjoy your e-gallery but rarely take the time to make a comment but I felt I had to when I saw your breath taking rendition of Rublev’s Icon of the Trinity. I love iconic art and found yours not only beautiful but wonderfully directed my spirit towards Praise to God.
12:39 pm
I loved seeing how you worked with the space. The church painting is glorious. Congratulations on a piece you can be very proud of and the church can feel the divinity just by looking at it!
1:35 pm
Loved the church work. Exquisite. Your versatility continues to amaze me. Jane
2:50 pm
Delightful.
3:26 pm
Love the pics that show your process and progress and what striking pieces of arched art!
4:02 pm
Hyatt,
I tried to respond to your last e-mail, but my server was too slow on that day. Just want to tell you what a joy it is to see you still using those God-given talents to glorify Him! Talked to your dad & mom this week and know you have blessed them beyond your wildest imagination.
6:26 pm
These paintings are fantastic!! Thanks for all the supporting information. I feel as if you’ve let us take a peek at a small part of your life and that’s so nice. The process is fascinating too! The painting of the iconic figures is so beautiful. The colors are wonderfully vibrant.
6:34 pm
fascinating email as usual. I liked the photos of the poses in which you mimicked your subjects. They brought to mind a caricature of Don Quixote I saw once. thanks for sharing. Won’t be in Calif in Nov but maybe late December… Come visit in Thailand,
6:44 pm
Hyatt, Rublev’s Icon of the Trinity is magnificent! I’ll definitely go by to see it in person.
10:27 pm
Fabulous, Hyatt!!! Are you sure we’re related? Oh, yeah, I’m funny, too. (:
11:08 pm
I love the new works and appreciate the extreme contrast of one piece(vibrant, moving, and spontaneous)to the other (static, contemplative and spiritual)– your versatility and talent is astounding. I thoroughly enjoy your postings! Thank you on behalf of your Jewish fan base!
2:49 am
Thanks, Hyatt. Making the world a more beautiful place is a great gifting and calling. Our home and church facilities in Anchorage are more beautiful because of you.
Keep arting.
Kent
The human soul needs actual beauty more than bread.
David Herbert Lawrence
4:58 am
Hyatt, I’m Martha from Brazil…
I apreciatte so much the Last supper and many another paintings.
Thanks Hyatt for amazing, amazing, amazing working!!!
9:34 am
I’m always wishing I lived in SoCal, just so I could attend one of your house shows!
Great work, as always, Hyatt.
1:36 pm
That’s wonderful, Hyatt. My oldest son, Anthony, is a fine arts major at the San Francisco Art Institute. I always forward your announcements to him. He went to Dana Hills HS, spent 5 years in the military, and finally decided to persue his passion, “Art”. This current posting of custom canvases will be very good reading for him. Thanks so much for sharing your world with us. We are fans of both you and Anne. Actually – I have two of Anne’s pieces.
Blessings and joy to you and Anne,
Margie Arrington
(formerly Snow)
7:53 pm
Fantastic and awesome! Would love to see them in person. Maybe someday!! Our continued best wishes to you and Anne.
10:49 pm
Hello, Hyatt.
It is always a treat to see you beautiful paintings.
It was very interesting reading about the process you had to go through painting within the arches.
Hopefully, I will be able to make it to the galleries to see your work and Anne’s.
I wouldn’t mind going to the church in San Clemente when I do the Sunday Market.
I moved away from Laguna to North County.
The best to you and Anne!
Sincerely,
Maud Hoyer
5:56 pm
Excellant work Hyatt!! My favorite is the Trinity Icon…great work! I see alittle Guaguin in it. Love the dramatic dancer and the ship at sea was well done. Keep painting for Him! Ann Phillips
2:38 pm
Vous ne cesserez de m’impressionner!!
c’est vraiment beau cette peinture de flamengo!!!
10:27 am
Hyatt,
We love your paintings. Will have to go and see the painting in the church next time we are out.
Rebekah K Jones