{"id":125,"date":"2008-07-23T15:37:16","date_gmt":"2008-07-23T22:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/?p=125"},"modified":"2008-07-23T15:37:16","modified_gmt":"2008-07-23T22:37:16","slug":"the-intrigue-of-the-cross","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/2008\/07\/23\/the-intrigue-of-the-cross\/","title":{"rendered":"The Intrigue of the Cross"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perhaps it’s because of a show at another church this weekend, this e-gallery is featuring the cross as an artistic motif. It’s an enduring symbol, a thing of simple beauty really, though with a gruesome history. The Romans found the beam and crossbar efficient enough for their methods and the symbol became one of warning. Since then it’s become more a symbol of mercy. And by current trends, even oddly hip. But it’s not any of that which brings out the theme this moment, but rather a couple of artists who have encountered the cross personally, exploring a few approaches to this classic emblem.<\/p>\n

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Portals of Silver<\/em>, acrylic on canvas, 40×60 (Click on picture for info)<\/h6>\n

The cross in this first example is a subtle inclusion, more of a design element among several. This large piece was featured in an e-gallery a year ago (click “PDF Archives” at right, No. 29, Aug., 2007, page 3.) Perhaps the painting’s mix of symbols from the wider world speaks of an internationality . . . these are things for the viewer to interpret. For me it was more about aesthetic design. By the way, that silver is metallic paint, giving it another dimension, particularly as the light changes during the day.<\/p>\n

(The painting is still available.)<\/p>\n

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Behind the Skies 1<\/em> and 2<\/em>, acrylic on canvas, both 24×24<\/h6>\n

We leave the subtle to the more specific in the examples above. That is, unless the titles keep things “only suggested.” In both cases, and others to follow in this series, they could almost be from photos of distant constellations taken by the Hubble space telescope. The inference is not unintended. The cross is not just an earthly symbol.<\/p>\n

Both of these paintings have been purchased. For interest, see enlargements here: Behind the Skies 1<\/em><\/a> and Behind the Skies 2<\/em><\/a>. (When there, notice the “larger view” option.)<\/p>\n

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Behind the Skies 3<\/em>, acrylic on canvas, 16×16 (Click on picture for info)<\/h6>\n

Here’s a recent addition to the series . . . a series that could go on infinitely, which is another aspect of its deeper meaning. When you think of it, it’s a perfect symbol, a basic nexus between whatever needs to be intersected, like heaven and earth, God and man, right and wrong. Its four extensions cover the compass and conceivably go forever in divergent directions, yet they meet. And that meeting makes all the difference, is the meaning, is the message. In painting these I use any color, but red is never left out.<\/p>\n

(This painting is available, as are all those to follow.)<\/p>\n

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An unlikely painter’s apprentice (click for larger view)<\/h6>\n

I painted Behind the Skies 3<\/em> last month, in June. With the warmth of an evening, the door was open and suddenly I had a little help. A June bug flew in and landed itself right on my canvas, soupy with wet paint. Rather than whisk it away or try to carefully lift it off, I let it crawl around a bit to see what designs it would contribute. In the end, you can’t see what parts he (she?) made and what parts I made, but I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the process. I don’t think it was necessarily because I was painting a cross, but I will call it help from above . . . even if that “above” was not behind the skies. (Or was it?)<\/p>\n

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Cross Section 1, <\/em>acrylic on paper, 4×4, in 15 inch frame<\/h6>\n

Besides making these crosses on canvas, recently I’ve explored smaller versions on paper. It’s just because there’s so much that can be done with it, and because they could serve many with bits of beauty . . . and for those who relate, an identification with a larger meaning. Either way, a cross conveys a simple elegance, regardless of its symbol. Here is a four-inch square original on paper, set off in a mat and frame system I bought off the shelf.<\/p>\n

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Cross Section 2,<\/em> acrylic on paper, 4×4<\/h6>\n

The above and the three below are more variations on the same theme, not yet framed or matted though shown here in a field of black. By the way, these pieces are not yet on my website. Anyone interested can contact me directly. The price of these small paintings before matting and framing is $90 (a good price for an original piece of art, if I do say). If you’re interested, send me an e-mail here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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(Above) Cross Section 3,<\/em> acrylic on paper, 4×4<\/h5>\n

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(Above) Cross Section 4,<\/em> acrylic on paper, 4×4<\/h5>\n

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Finding Intimacy<\/em>, monotype, 11×9 (available)<\/h6>\n

While on the subject, here are a couple more pieces on the same theme, created with ink on paper by Anne and her press. Again, these show degrees of obvious statement in one and subtlety in the other. The hidden calligraphy is design motif only (though who knows?) The Asian aspect is mainly for beauty, but once again, internationalizes. After all, we’re one, under the skies.<\/p>\n

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In Memorium<\/em>, monotype, 17×15.5 (sold)<\/h5>\n

CURRENT SHOWS<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Canvas<\/strong><\/em><\/span> <\/a>
\nTHIS WEEKEND ONLY<\/strong>
\nNewport Mesa Church
\n2599 Newport Blvd.
\nCoast Mesa, California
\nSaturday, July 26, 3:00-10:00 pm
\nSunday, July 27, noon-2:00 pm
\n Check here for their press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Festival of the Arts<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/em>
\n650 Laguna Canyon Road
\nLaguna Beach, California
\nJuly 6 thru August 30, 2008
\n10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m
\n(Anne is normally on site Fridays through Mondays, except July 26)<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last time we featured Anne’s work at the Laguna Festival of Arts. The show continues through the summer. Don’t miss it. This weekend only there’s another show featuring my work (along with others’). I’ll have a lot of pieces, many subjects and good prices. It’s in Newport Beach. Address and times are at the bottom of this e-gallery. Hope to see you there. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10,4,8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=125"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}