Rather liking this idea of going away somewhere to just “be” and to do art, we began seeking something close but not too close to home. What we found was “Casa Hamaca,” a vacation retreat in Baja California, built and owned by our friends Bob and Tanya Lloyd, about five hours south of the Mexican border. (Click on each of the pictures for a larger view.)
The Baja California peninsula didn’t have paved road even this far until this generation.
Casa Hamaca is one of about 50 such American homes, most only intermittently occupied, on the beach outside the town of Vincente Guerrero. It was warm, sometimes windy, sometimes foggy, and very quiet, but for the continual roar of the surf. Maybe because of the time of year, we saw almost no one the entire week.
A quick picture of the setting just as we pulled in.
The Casa is a two-bedroom place that has seen a lot of guests over the years, mostly for rest and recreation. That week it was just for Anne and me, and not to rest but to work. (Well, sort of.)
Living room (left) and kitchen (right).
We took a few pictures immediately so we’d remember how to put all the furniture back after we turned the place into a working studio.
The inner patio.
When I show these pictures people say, “It looks like your house.” Maybe so. We certainly felt right at home.
Our respective workspaces.
Besides reading and walks on the beach, art-making is what occupied almost all of our hours. I brought my easel, canvas and basic supplies; Anne brought her smaller press, a table and all her printmaking gear. It was so quiet, without even music. No Internet, no news, only our own sometimes conversation and the continual sound of the surf.
A few early pieces drying in the sun, all of which were destroyed or painted over.
Though it all seems idyllic, and it really was wonderful, for about the first three days I couldn’t get anything to work. I was experimenting with new things and getting nowhere. For the back story on that, see the Blank Slate post, “A Prayer and a Response.”
The artist, her tools, and the week’s work of her hands.
In the afternoon of our last day we put up a “show” for ourselves to display all the work accomplished. Anne had completed 20 pieces! She explains that she’d brought some of them along unfinished and finished them there. It was a highly productive time, particularly as her work requires a momentum and a long set-up and take-down time.
My ten “keepers.”
And here’s my productivity after finally getting beyond the first three days’ malaise. For the most part, I did renditions of small ones I’d done before, photos of which I had on my camera phone.
One more view of the whole wall of the “show” we put up for ourselves.
For views of each of the pieces done on this trip, you can click on the links to the respective website pages. For Anne’s, that will be here. For Hyatt’s, go here. The Baja pieces are marked “NEW.” Click on those thumbnails for larger views, and again for yet larger.
The Creator’s art.
A glorious sunset, as we saw it over dinner most evenings . . . and a perfect way to end this “slide show.”
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Ongoing and Upcoming Events
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Come to the Moore Open House and Studio Show–
the weekend before Thanksgiving
Lots of new work, all for sale, or just to view and visit friends.
33752 Big Sur, Dana Point, California 92629
Saturday, November 17, 1:00-9:00
Sunday, November 18, 1:00-5:00
For complete invitation, click here: House Show 11’12
Moore & Moore Art Gallery in Dana Point
Open by Appointment
949-240-4642
Semi-Private Coaching for Painters
Offering 2-hour sessions on Mondays and Saturday mornings
In the Hyatt Moore Studio, Dana Point
Call 949-240-4642
Printmaking Classes
In the Anne Moore studio, Dana Point
For a look at the kind of work that can be made see: www.annesprints.com
Call 949-240-4642
11:52 am
Dear Hy and Anne,
Both of your works are beautiful. Wish we could be out there for your shows but that is not possible. Enjoy your art when you send it to my computer. God bless you both as you go about your work.
Becky and Bill Jones
12:06 pm
Count us in, Hyatt! Would not miss this one for anything!
12:29 pm
Wow! Can I live your life? :)
Great to see this.
pastor adam barton
Akron, Ohio
7:05 pm
Hyatt and Anne,
Thank you for sharing your artwork and the photo’s of the beautiful home that you were able to work in Baja. I met you both in Sacramento at the Festival of the Art’s held at the convention center. In fact it starts tomorrow. My favorite painting of Hyatt’s is the “Last Supper” with all the tribes. My desire is to order one when I am able to. I do appriciate you updated e-mails. Thank you for making your client’s part of your life.
God Bless, Dana Mann
10:19 pm
Wow, talk about being productive Hyatt and Anne!!! I am impressed! Thanks for sharing!
7:29 am
I admit it–I am completely jealous.
8:29 pm
Hello Hyatt, I met you and became familiar with your work while visiting Granite Creek Church in Claremont, California. You really encouraged me as you spoke about your missionary experiences while serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators. The heart and passion you have for people’s hearts & souls is vividly portrayed in your rendition of the “Next” Supper! I plan to be there! I still use your mini-portrait as my primary book marker in my Bible. In fact, while at BIOLA’s Financial Aide Office, I saw a large print of that supper. I promptly asked staff if they knew anything about the print? To my surprise, nobody knew its significance. I excitedly told them about you and your work and how those people in the print were real people you personally knew. They were ecstatic! Thanks for sharing your Baja work trip experience with us. The setting, architecture, southwestern colors, and sunset testify of His beautiful creation. While accompanied by fellow car-poolers last week, I became in awe of the sky’s early dawn colors, and I loudly remarked “God IS the best Artist in the World!” Your work truly testifies of His great design and plan for mankind.
9:49 am
Wow, just beautiful. Yes it certainly does resemble your home. It appears that you and Anne would fare very well in that environment. I really like Anne’s art, then I look at yours, so completely differant, and enjoy it also. A favorite of mine would be the three pears. So pleased that God gave you insight and a breakthrough. I am holding on to some of what you said in that writing. We all go through dry times, often when we are not expecting to, and often longer than we’d prefer, however they can be some of our most beautiful and memorable times as we are on our knees checking our own sincerity towards him and he hones, shapes and works on us. It is quite a beautiful thing for
any of us to truly acknowledge our need for and our desire for him. There is a passage somewhere in the old testament about God remaining silent because he wanted to see what was in that individual’s heart. I often think of that. It help’s to purify our motives when we must find God first. For indeed we are helpless without him.
12:56 am
Always inspired and encouraged by your beautiful work and the eyes thru which God allows you to see his creation. Taste and see that the Lord is good!!
6:43 pm
Lovely Hyatt and Anne! Great work!!! Wonderful place to be able to stay! Thank you for sharing! Blessings! Lisa
2:37 pm
Hyatt and Anne,
I’d love to see your show. Thank you for the invitation.
Lovely work and what a beautiful place to connect and create.
Daily, I’m inspired and humbled by God’s creation. God truly is the ultimate artist.