I didn’t start out to be a Christian painter. Not that I’d deny my faith, rather that I just wanted to be a painter, and as good as I could be. But from the beginning, and more of late, I’ve been called to make Christian images. In the last two months there have been four, all commissions, two painted in public, all four unveiled and presented before large audiences. I’ve named this blog “Four Gospels” just because there are four of them and, though different, all come out of the same Spirit.
1st Gospel
You’ve seen where I’ve done these before. So did the folks at The Jesus Film, an international ministry that translates a real-life version of the life of Jesus into languages of the world and gets it shown. In September they sponsored a major funding event at the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad, California. Over the long weekend Anne and I oversaw the participants making a hand painting, which I finished off with a beautiful face from India (shown above mid-way) and ultimately some wording that fit the theme. It was loved by all.
That was in September. By coincidence, I had reason to be in Orlando in October and visited the headquarters of The Jesus Film. I was happy to find the painting, beautifully framed and hung prominently near the main entrance. We could call this, “two smiles.” (Even “two earrings,” though mine a little small to see.) Its real title is, Reason for Hope. Click twice for larger view.
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2nd Gospel
It was to unveil this one that I flew across the country to Orlando, Florida. Here’s a detail, with more to follow, each showing an anticipation and high interest in “something.” Keep scrolling.
It was a commissioned by Wycliffe Bible Translators to make a painting for as a gift to the Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby as well as the new Museum of the Bible in Washington DC. The family are major contributors to the work of Bible translation and this painting was part of their honoring.
I chose the subject of Guatemalan children because I’d heard the story how one of the family’s major influencers, Mart Green, had had a focus-changing epiphany years ago in that country, changing everything for him, and consequently affecting the whole movement.
It’s a country we know, too, as Anne and I and our first two daughters lived there for a couple of years as our first assignment in our 32 year career with Wycliffe Bible Translators. We loved it.
Here’s the complete painting as it was unveiled and presented. The title, lettered right on the painting, comes from Mart Green’s favorite expression and personal motto. It’s in oil, 36″x45.” The book depicted is in one of the numerous Mayan languages still spoken as mother tongue throughout the country. (Double click for larger view.)
This just in, the moment of the unveiling, the Green family receiving. (Click it.)
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3rd Gospel
Every year for the last several I’ve been commissioned to make some painting in public for “IllumiNations,” a fellowship of ten organizations who cooperate in the Bible translation cause. Each time I’m presented with a different idea. This one seemed the most challenging, but I went to work on it with a rough sketch.
The idea was to make a large and wide painting illustrating a verse in the book of Revelation where people from every tongue and tribe and nation will be ultimately gathered before the throne of God. Once I had the concept it took some doing to lay in the first stage, shown here in the home studio.
Then it was a matter of finding images of tribal people as seen from the back. Here’s a rough sketch of what I came up with and the relative position they would take in the painting.
The event was held over four days at the majestic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs with hundreds in attendance. People would come by as I painted, all the while also hearing the inspirational presentations, the great music, and stopping to watch the vision-expanding videos. Shown above is the art further sketched in. The canvas is taped to a full size door as support. Worked great.
Here and following are details of the figures as I painted them in. It’s all in acrylic, my second favorite medium (after oil) for its fast drying qualities. Time was a matter.
In the Revelation scripture all congregants are dressed in white. But I had to take artistic license and keep these dressed in their tribal gear . . . elsewise how would we know who they are?
A number of these women had babies on their backs. I suppose there will be babies in heaven but I didn’t paint them in. You can only say so much in one painting.
Another thing, this gathering of souls is for all time, so if the images are a little anachronistic, so be it.
This just for context. I’ve always been one to draw during meetings. Here I get to paint during meetings. How happy is that!
Here it is finished, 3 1/2 ft. high by about 7 1/2 feet long. I call it, Throne Throng. The scripture reference, Revelation 7:9, is written in small under my signature. (Double click for larger view.)
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4th Gospel
A friend of mine, Gina Marie Seriel, ministers to the homeless, working to get them back on their feet, one person at a time. Her organization is “Our Father’s Table” and though still small, has seen phenomenal success. She came to me with the challenge of painting Jesus and the apostles walking among the homeless. I listened, then countered with the idea of making Jesus one of the homeless. It’s more in line with what Jesus said about himself. She liked it. (For all of these, double click for larger view.)
This one was another major challenge, requiring quite a bit of thought, considering the design, gathering reference, getting just the right mood. It had to be dark, Rembrandt-esque, different for me. Here I am presenting it. Too bad there was no photo of Gina seeing it for the first time, her jaw on the floor for over a minute. Title: Homeless Jesus, oil and oil pastel, 38″x47.”
Again, the scripture is right on the painting. It’s something Jesus said. I must say I was convicted myself as I worked on this and these people became more real, and my sense of knowing how to help, pretty shallow.
I’m thinking there may be a wider use for this one and I’ve made it available as a quality print on my website here. Feel free to share it with whoever you think could use it.
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If you’ve read this far you deserve a reward. I should mention just a couple of things coming up.
I and my work will be featured at the Santa Barbara Art Walk next month. The date: November 1. The place: Christ Presbyterian Church. They have a gallery!
And speaking of churches, next Sunday I’ll be giving my Beatitudes presentation, complete with the paintings themselves, at Trabuco Presbyterian Church, 31802 Las Amigas Dr, Trabuco Canyon. It’s at 9:30, all invited.
BTW, that whole sermon, as well as a five-minute trailer, are now on my website under “Speaker,” top right, above. In fact that whole page is new. Check it out.
Finally, we’ve set the date for our next show at the house. It’ll be the weekend of November 17 and 18. Mark your calendar. We’ll hope to see you.
7:21 pm
This is all very exciting!! So pleased for you and Anne.
God bless you and the work of your hands.
8:04 pm
Love these, Hyatt. Bob
8:20 pm
How rewarding to SEE the answers to prayers for you and Anne…..thank you for sharing…..AND it would not have been nearly as meaningful if you had not given us all the details!!!! PTL!
8:47 pm
I always enjoy seeing and contemplating your paintings. I love these latest works. I was especially taken with “Whatever you’ve done for the least…” We have so many homeless people in Newport, Oregon and I try to give them the dignity that they deserve. Thank you for sharing your work.
Please Pray for Michael Gibbons. He is having some serious struggles. Thank you.
Susan Morrison.
9:24 pm
Thanks, Susan. And about Michael. We were at his place for two weeks in Oregon in the midst of all these paintings. Started the Throne Throng there (as well as doing a bunch of commissions). Though he doesn’t get out, we had dinner with him and Judy in his marvelous studio converted from an old church.
4:29 am
Hyatt and Anne,
I thank you for these special notes and blogs. You both blow me away with your talent, devotion to continuing work and your never-ending creations, all so very fine. Hyatt, I remember a discussion with you while roaming around our property years ago…….I was mentioning my lack of inspiration and you went on and on about ideas and rabbit holes you were going to pursue along the very lines shown in this blog. You DID IT ALL and your;re continuing to DO IT !! I sit by in total awe and grateful observation. Truly, you are gifted. You’re a never-ending source of God-inspired energy. Blessed be your futures. Love to both you and Anne. I enjoy following Allison’s work as well.
I believe you still mail to our classmates here in Jackson…..please double check to see that they all get this as well as your other notices and blogs. XOXOXO. Marty
9:11 pm
NPI, Hyatt, but you’re always giving us a bigger picture(!). These Gospel paintings have a way of rearranging my thinking about people groups in faraway places, so many unreached with the simplicity and freeing power of Scripture. And, so often, your images convey exactly that, with so few, if any, words. You offer a bit of yourself in these works, which shows. Grateful.
9:27 pm
Norm, talk about seeing the big picture, you’re always dependable for that. But what does NPI mean?
8:55 am
“No Pun Intended.” Humble intention of connecting your big paintings with THE “Big Picture.” Which you do!
10:21 pm
These have moved me no end. I cannot stop weeping. Thank you.
11:08 pm
Hyatt,
You truly are like the man who was given five talents by God and invested them all wisely in the Kingdom of light! As you once said, “God gives seeds,” and you have tended the seed of artistic creation with the utmost care, just as you have the others; and what glorious abundance is proliferating and blessing all who come near as a result! Each of these works is something of heaven itself!
You remind me of the “vessel of honor” spoken of in 2 Timothy, … “A vessel of honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Thirty-two years of serving the Lord at Wycliffe with the purpose of getting God’s Word into people’s heart languages might just be the very best preparation for becoming a true master in sacred art!
Thank you for making these works as a “Praise of His glory!” You are a marvel!
8:19 am
I look at your painting – it’s good!!!
11:29 am
Fascinating progress into mature work with serious power. Enjoyed the back stories on each, especially the Green connection and Guatemala. Many thanks.
12:07 pm
Thanks Bruce. Yes, Guatemala, where we both lived when we met. Good to hear from you.
5:27 pm
“Throne Throng” is now one of my all-time favorites.
8:47 am
Hi Hyatt,
Wow! you continue to move me by your works!
I thank God for giving you the talents you
have, and deep heart that comes through in
your ability to capture so many different people.
Barbara
10:08 am
Hyatt, you amaze me…in many ways! Barbara DiFrancia
5:19 pm
Hyatt, these are outstanding; so glad you’ve made their completions available online! May God continue to be glorified & lifted high by these paintings!
9:11 am
Great creativity, Hyatt. Your ministry continues to expand and bless others.
12:37 pm
Marvelous use of your talents brother Hyatt and tackling so many themes and challenges is in itself an act of faith. Blessings, Bill and Jeanne
5:36 pm
Hyatt heart warming, powerful and Holy Spirit driven!!