Following on with what has become a life style for us, this spring’s art-making hiatus had us in the outskirts of Tucson at a beautiful time of year.

Palo Verde, acrylic on canvas, 32×43

We’ll start off with a series of landscapes inspired by the area. Though the weather had not yet turned hot, I painted indoors, from photos taken on twice-daily walks around the area.

Evening Light, acrylic on canvas, 24×60

We were situated toward the south east of Tucson in an area called Star Pass. From this painting’s perspective, the city itself is situated beyond the near hills and below those Catalina Mountains.

Brookside Shade, acrylic on canvas, 37×45.5

Our walks took us through many areas like this. Normally I’d paint in oils, but due to needing to pack everything up and bring it home in just a week, the fast-drying acrylic was the only way. And there are other benefits, like texture.

View back toward the house. (Click for larger view.)

The house we were using was situated in a resort area, just adjacent to an expansive golf course. The whole area was lush with plants native to the majestic Sonora Desert.

The patio.

Though we painted inside, this was where we spent our reading time, relished our meals, or just took in the beauty (eyes open or closed).

The great room, which became our working space.

There was plenty of room to work, with just a little rearranging. That huge couch looks inviting as I look at it now, but I confess I never sat in it. By the way, those two Hyatt Moore paintings in the corner are among a handfull earlier purchased by out hosts. It was nice to see them again.

Anne at her press.

Anne found that the kitchen counter was a perfect height for her press, her ink, plates, and all the materials needed to work. (There was still plenty of room for cooking when that was called for . . . another of her fine talents.)

 Posing as Possible, monotype print, 9×11

Here’s one of 20-some pieces Anne was able to complete to her satisfaction. That text (who knows what is says?) is a page from books of such we picked up in Japan some years back. It adds to the design and intrigue, no?

Looking for Symmetry. This first version no longer exists, but ironically is shown numerously on Pinterest.

Incredibly, when we arrived in Tucson Anne realized she’d not brought her printmaking paper. That would have prevented any progress except that she did bring a good quantity of pieces she’d started earlier. She has a plethora of such, pieces she plans to get back to but then new ideas take over. The piece above is one such (the finished version shown below).

Looking for Symmetry ii, monotype print, 11.5×20

Here is the same piece, as she completed it that week. Note the additions of collage material, strips added from other “failed” prints, and the new addition of “typography” and design detail, printed on with linoleum blocks she’s cut.

Anne with the week’s work. (Click for larger view.)

On the last day we cleaned up our areas and photographed the work accomplished during the week. Remember, all these had been begun earlier; but it was still a laudable accomplishment to complete these 27 pieces in one week. At home, with so much else that needs doing, it’s more like three pieces in as many months. The five small pieces in front are encaustics, works in wax, a new venture for her.

Cactus Colors, acrylic on canvas, 23.5×32.5

Here’s a painting that started out as a “literal” rendition of the lovely purple cactus that abounds in the area. But I never liked it, so, using the same colors, turned it into an abstract instead. Now I like it fine.

Regal Greens and Daytime Dreams, both 32×24.

Though I did mostly landscapes and abstracts, a visit to the Arizona State Museum inspired a couple of stylized versions of Native Americans. I must say I could keep on doing these with great pleasure if I could find a place that wants them.

The working space on “my” side of the room, complete with my famous ironing board.

The big abstract is a rendition after one of Anne’s . . . because her wonderful designs could also look great BIG. Of course it changes in the process. I tell her if it sells I’ll split it with her! Again, those other two paintings of mine were previously purchased by our hosts.

The week’s worth of paintings.

Actually there were a couple more, but the others not fit to show. Note the tape holding the art to the wall. It’s because most were painted on unstretched canvas. I brought a bolt of canvas over and rolled the paintings back on it to bring them home. Makes for easy transport and flexibility of painting size. They’ve all been stretched since.

A quiet space. (Click for larger view.)

Here’s another view from the back patio, with just a sliver of the golf course to be seen in the distance. It was all very impressive, both God’s work, and man’s rearranging. (That’s what art is.)

John and Pam

Here’s a little gift I left for our hosts, from a photo I found on their desk. John and Pam Ritter weren’t there that week, but graciously lent their place to us. A beautiful couple, in all ways. We’re grateful.

.

Other Resources

Video on Website

NEW: The Hyatt Moore Painter website “Contents Bar” now features a section for “Videos.” Currently there are three:
a brief background of my most widely distributed painting, The Last Supper,
a One-minute time-lapse portrait I painted in an hour,
and a “new to You Tube” half hour feature called Damascus Roads.
It’s a creatively done account of my discovery of God and later, painting.
To see these, scroll to the top here, click on “Videos,” and select.
And let me know what you think.

Blank Slate, the “literary” blog

The writing blog, Blank Slate, is viewable on this same website (top right). The most recent post featured the Damascus Roads video just mentioned, with a few lines of background from the a surf photography book. Check it out. To subscribe, click here.

NEW: Prints Available for all paintings

Giclee prints on canvas or watercolor paper are now available for order on virtually the full array of Hyatt Moore paintings. See “Store” above, or click here.

Semi-Private Coaching for Painters

in Hyatt Moore studio
Mondays and Saturdays in Dana Point
Call for information, 949-290-8643
For more info click:
Art-Coaching-Flyer

Printmaking Classes

in Anne Moore studio
Call for info, 949-240-4642