In November of last year I did a lecture/demo at an art league here in Southern California. It’s something I’m invited to do from time to time. In this case it was some distance away, hard to find in the dark; I arrived late, had to shlep all my stuff in multiple trips across a long parking lot, then to set up my easel and canvas, my palette and all my gear while they patiently waited.
Per usual, I “lectured” first, relating some motivational points from my own experience. People generally find that useful as we’re all trying to find our way in this pathless route called art. Then, after a break, when I also was to judge works of art they’d brought, I plowed into the painting demonstration.
I always paint large at these events, to be viewable from a distance. I’d laid in an acrylic background earlier; the rest would go up in oil. I worked from a photo with two figures and, though quite ambitious, would offer some good teaching points. The risk was it could turn out just a big mess. But I figure, that’s a teaching too. If I mess up, that gives permission for others to mess up too, and not quit.
While painting I’m teaching the whole time, answering questions, explaining what I’m doing and why. I move pretty fast, keep it light; we laugh a lot.
When time was up, I stopped. People gathered around and chatted, some bought my books. One told me he was very inspired by my loose, big-brush approach with no concern for drawing at all, at least not at the beginning. He told me he’d gotten so tight with his many portraits that for months he’d lost his joy and quit painting altogether.
Image my surprise when I got an email from him a month later with the following.
I must say I was impressed. Lots of accuracy there, even including my first few stokes on the new painting. I’m just glad my influence encouraged someone. It’s part of why we live.
Hi Hyatt, Just wanted to share with you a painting that you inspired me to do. I was in a less than enthusiastic place with my art when you gave your demo at the Anaheim Art Association meeting in November. In viewing your process and the freedom and energy that it brought to the work, I was re-inspired to get back to work. I love doing figurative work and portraiture and I was anxious to try out your process so I figured what better subject that the man that inspired it. I did a quick sketch in charcoal on the canvas before the acrylic underpainting. Just couldn’t bring myself to jump right into painting without the sketch yet, but maybe the next one. Thanks so much for the demo. Let me know what you think.
Al Garofalow
PS I am working on putting up a website: www.allangarofalow.com if you get a chance, check it out.
Of course I wrote back to him expressing my delight at his progress, his encouragement, the painting. He gave me permission to relate all this here.
Here’s the state my painting was in not long after time was up that evening. Note how it’s very loose, moving ever tighter, never too much . . . points not lost on Allan Garofalow. I did check out his website, good paintings, but I did see the influence with this new one.
I finished the work the following morning in my studio and was pleased enough with the result. Masai Majesty, oil over acrylic on canvas, 36×27.5.
But most of all, I was rewarded with helping someone, already good, but leveled out and “stuck.” What we all need is freedom, and examples of it when we can find it. Thanks, Al Garofolow, for following through.
Coming Up
On February 21 at 4:00 p.m. Anne and I will be guest presenters at a community arts education event in Laguna College of Art and Design Gallery, 374 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach.
Being Valentine month they want us to speak on how two artist do their craft together. More important than Valentines, it’s our anniversary month. We should talk on how we’ve made that work together! (It’ll be our 53rd year.)
All invited ($20.00 at the door).
1:41 pm
Great story…..and pix……congrats on 53 years!! Fun to watch all those years become so beautiful to behold.
2:36 pm
What a cool story! And that portrait of you is an amazing likeness.
2:40 pm
Thanks, daughter.
3:45 pm
They say that art that comes from the mind reaches a mind. Art that comes from a life reaches a life. That’s you, Hyatt. Al didn’t miss a beat, and he has been touched deeply and uplifted. You’ve learned to wear so much on your sleeve (including paint!), and we’re grateful.
3:58 pm
Masai Majesty – what a perfect name! A true master is one who teaches! A majestic seed planter are you. I just love that your honored the artist who painted the portrait of you! So much talent revealed in this blog post- wonderful!!
5:03 pm
WOW! You continue to amaze and inspire us. Love Al’s painting of you. And… he’s a wonderful portrait artist. Thank you for telling us the story behind it. Hope to see you and Anne on Feb. 21.
Mary
7:50 pm
What a blessing! It’s always so encouraging when people receive a part of us, and express it in their own way. Love it! Great portrait, the artist is amazing!
8:52 pm
Amazing likeness!!
10:10 pm
what fun hyatt! and what inspiration you brought to a very talented artist – just one of many i suspect.
9:00 am
So good..really good!!! The art, the story behind it, and the finished products! Always wonderful when we can encourage and inspire others, isn’t it!
Happy Anniversary to you and Anne!
9:11 pm
That’s a nice painting of you Hyatt! At first glance, I thought it was a photo. I remember how inspired I was by your lecture and demo when I first met you in Colorado back I think in 2011?
8:56 am
Congratulations to you n Anne on your 53rd!! What a blessing you both are to others as you use your God given talent for His glory. May you enjoy many more years together!
10:55 pm
Hyatt
It’s interesting to hear and see the results of a painting demo that you gave. What you painted was great as always, and the piece the man in the audience achieved was likewise wonderful.
I’m hoping that you can work in a demonstration for the Huntington Beach Art League on next year’s calendar and spread more of your influence to others in our league.
Jane
11:26 am
Hyatt, great portrait of you in action. Happy anniversary to you and Anne. Your inspiration in art and commitment in marriage is rare on both accounts. Both of you love each other, art and Jesus. What a great recipe for success.
7:55 am
Dear Hyatt and Anne,
Congrats on your anniversary! I hope you are blessed with many more.
The painting of you at work is great.
Wayne
10:46 am
Great story Hyatt. You have kept me going all these years too! Thank you for your constant encouragement. Whenever I think of your question to me every time I see you, “What have you done since I last saw you?” I thought I’d better get to work so I have some work to show you next time I see you. Also, happy anniversary. I wish I was there to hear your story.