It was the latest in what has been a series of large, creative, public, Christian, performance painting projects this season. A couple of them were long planned, some just came up. I marvel myself about their origin, their result, and the uniqueness of this particular contribution to things. And I’m grateful.
House brush, paint splotched jeans, my Brisbane hat, and first strokes on Jesus. Click on every picture for a larger view.
The occasion this time was a one-day event at the Convention Center in downtown Phoenix. It was for the sake of fostering unity between Catholics and Protestants. I’d been invited to come up with something that might symbolize such unity. That was just two months ago, still in the midst of other projects. It sounded intriguing and I went to work on it.
A charcoal drawing, more detailed than usual, leaning on our porch.
My idea was to paint on actual doors, which I could buy, already primed, at Home Depot. It was actually a marvelous solution, as they took the paint very well, both acrylic and oil, a combination that works well with my style.
Shown are two partially finished and another at first stage.
Part of the idea was to hinge the paintings together, something I worked on here in the garage. The hinges provided connection, further symbolizing unity, and were a solution for the paintings to be free standing. And, of course, doors are made for hinges.
It starts with a photo search; the person must be standing, and just the right action.
I decided to paint three prominent Catholics and three prominent Protestants, either contemporary or from history. As Pope Francis has shown himself in favor of such reconciliation, and would even have a video message for the event, he was a natural selection and the first painting I made.
These are under-painted with acrylic, detailed with oil. I’d intend to render further, but then liked the unfinished look.
I did a search for the leaders I would paint. I could have chosen many, but was content with my six. Here is Theresa of Avila, mystic, writer and tower of comfort during the difficult days of the Spanish Inquisition. Of course, for these there was no photo reference. For Theresa I found a statue, and an early painting of her face. Oh, and for hands, I used Anne’s.
You can see a slightly different approach to each of these paintings. Such just happens.
For an influential Protestant I chose William Wilberforce who, out of his Christian convictions, contested the British slavery trade. A movie was made about him a few years ago, Amazing Grace. The part was played by Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, whose photo I used as a model.
Nice to have a smile among these auspicious personages.
William Tutu is a current force for good, arising to prominence first in South Africa, contesting apartheid. I put a lot of linseed oil in that red paint to get it to flow fast. It produced a nice transparent glow, but almost never dried.
I used lots of license with these colors, I’m sure, and left the under-drawing in tact.
William Tyndale was another prominent Protestant, an early translator of the English Bible and the first to use the new technology of printing to get it into the hands of the common people. Once again, with no photo, I found a statue for his stature.
I had a photo, yes, but just black and white.
Diedrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian and Lutheran pastor in Germany during the days of Hitler. He saw through it, stood up to it, and in the end was hanged. I’m currently reading his most known book, second time in a row, this time very slowly.
I must say, I enjoyed these paintings, liked how they came out, but I never made them to keep.
Here’s what the line up of paintings on doors looked like, standing in our patio, before loading them up in our mini-van and driving them across to Phoenix. The final one I would paint in public two days later during the conference. Not shown is a see-through plaque I made for each, to identify the person, their date, and a brief quote.
My spot would be up where that orange ladder was then standing.
Here’s what the room looked like when I first began unloading paintings, my easel and two kits of paint materials––one for acrylic, one for oils. Four thousand chairs were set up, and later the stage area decorated and full.
I waited until the event was in full sway before starting. Too bad I can’t share the spirited music, the great band, the heart-felt singing. Flags and banners were part of it all. As I began painting, I turned and took this quick shot with the i-phone.
A roll of paper towels here used as a brush.
I’d brought this final door sketched in, but not painted. At this point, taken about midday, it was plenty recognizable what I was doing. Attendees enjoyed glances at the progression as they listened to speakers and participated.
The climax.
The painting as it looked when I put my brushes down. It would be the center of the seven-painting “movable mural.”
The climax of the climax.
It was the very last part of the day when we brought all the paintings to the stage, hinged them together, and made the presentation––in English and Spanish. Here I’m explaining who these images represent and why I chose them.
A close up of the oil painted face.
As I mentioned in closing, painting Jesus can feel somewhat intimidating. On the other hand, he is very forgiving. I do like the “manly” look, though maybe a bit rugged here . . . more like he was just in from the desert. (But that works too.)
The line up.
It looks diminutive here, though it’s 6.5 feet tall by almost 19 feet wide. Again (as with all of these), click on the picture for a larger view.
One more.
Someone sent me this snap from their camera phone. I just like this image, my working on Jesus at close range. (Normally he’s doing that on me.)
The climax of the climax of the climax.
I hadn’t seen this coming, but there was such acclaim to this presentation at the end of the day, much clapping, many photos, and then this: the priest and others erupting into a prayer for my ongoing service in however God would lead. Amen!
Temporary lodging for the finished painting.
In the future, the painting(s) will be used in ongoing events for the unity movement. Between such events, it has a beautiful resting place in the home of prime organizers, Joseph and Mary Tosini. Here it is within the glass walls of their entry patio and fish pond. Seems a fitting place, Jesus having had so much to say about fish, and men.
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Next, Anne prepares for a summer-long show at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts. But first, we’re off to Renaissance Italy for three weeks to explore our cultural heritage and consider how we fit in.
12:36 pm
Way cool. I liked all of it, especially the way they prayed for you. May god bless you and Anne!
1:37 pm
These are some of my favorites that you have done Hyatt. So full of life and unity in our Lord….I LOVE them:)
Keep it up and may the Lord continue the amazing work He is doing in and thru your life and Paintings for His Glory!
I have my first solo art show for the month of June in a local coffee shop starting next week. Pray for selling of His work and for more open doors to go on with Him…Thanks:) I lost my father this past February and was thankfully able to help nurse him to death. The time was very hard but special and of the Lord. I know now the Lord had prepared me for this, after nursing my mom to death many years ago at 24. I am an orphan like you now, but looking forward to our true home in Heaven, our hearts deepest longing. I continue to pray for Vernon, Alison and kids and all they continue to endure. May His Healing Hands be upon them and bring them all His Peace and Comfort daily as they Trust Him for everything! Under His Mercy, Ann Phillips
2:09 pm
What a great piece of work for the public square! Congratulations.
2:14 pm
As always a gift to us all. Through you Jesus communicates His presence in pictures. Thank you for your service Hyatt.
In Christ,
Christine
2:14 pm
Dear Hyatt and Anne,
It is always a delight to follow your careers. This project (the figures on doors) is incredibly touching and creative. I love that you both approach life and art full on. You do it well and I am certain God smiles because of you. Blessings.
2:14 pm
Loved the one of Jesus best – He is so human in your painting…
Have a good trip and come home safe.
2:45 pm
Hyatt and Anne,
Just loved the painting of the different person. They are so great and I loved Jesus best and the red that He is wearing. We have been praying for Vern and Allison along this long road they are traveling and hoping that he improves over the next few months.
Love were the Lord is taking you along this road to paint and do things for Christ.
Love,
Becky
4:01 pm
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
5:28 pm
My smart phone showed me your paintings and I gasped at their beauty. I’m so happy you can use your wonderful talent to the glory of God. Thank you for my glimpse at the doors.
6:11 pm
Very powerful and moving….. They are all beautiful separately and together……. You have a wonderful gift and you are using it well. Enjoy Italy!
8:03 pm
I am always amazed at what a prolific, gifted painter you are! And your spiritual side is awesome! I loved that you used Anne’s hands in the painting of St. Theresa. All of the paintings are breathtaking.
Thank you for sharing.
Susan
8:10 pm
Dear Hyatt: Your work is a true sacrifice of praise. Thank you for your gift to the Christians of Arizona! God bless you! Peace always to you and Anne. Love, Barbara
9:03 pm
Wow! Very cool. I really like them. What a great use of your talent. A great ministry.
9:28 pm
Wyatt,
What a fine array of saintly people and the aura of peace they project. Whoever gets to look at these doors will certainly appreciate your precious artistic gift.
Jane
11:15 pm
Hyatt, this takes my breath away. Your choices gave me chills. Seeing Jesus clothed in red, like the blood He shed, put tears in my eyes. Yet his smile makes me feel that He is scorning the shame of the cross as I watch. What a wonderful project, and I am so glad for those prayers at the end!
5:37 am
I am so moved by these paintings. As both a student and teacher of both ancient and modern church history and movements they truly speak to me. I wish I had a place I could just sit and look at them every single day…
8:26 am
Way to go! And how greatly the Lord keeps expanding your ministries….I take part of the credit, as you two are in my intentional and earnest prayer….just paying back your mom for always praying for us and keeping up with us to make sure the Lord did all He planned to do with our lives…..and yes, that’s for you, too. Prayers answered!
9:02 pm
hyatt, as always im humbled and in awe of your talent!
more than anything i am in amazed at how God uses you…
for His glory!
thank you for sharing with me!
godspeed
12:37 am
OHHHHHH my Hyatt!!! How The Lord is using you in great and mighty ways!! I just knew He was going to use you in such huge ways!!!!! I could not be any happier seeing this, your amazing talents used for the Lord’s work once again but so clearly for Him in this venue!! WOW WOW WOW!!!!!! Praising… Just praising…. Anne must be soooooo proud of you too! :) I am just over whelmed with emotion and so so so proud of you!! Thank you for sharing!! I will be sharing! Have a wonderful trip! You deserve such a fine blessing!! Much love to you both! Lisa
10:00 am
WOW WOW WOW!!! those are so beautiful. Great job.
1:32 pm
Strong subject matter and strong work! Thank you for sharing with us and with the Catholics and Protestants. How did that work in the Conference? Hopefully well. I just read something about the Archbishop of Canterbury saying that the Anglicans agree to 80% but that 20% of Catholicism was not acceptable. Possibly not happening in our lifetimes it would seem. I believe your legacy of art is a good start and thank you again.
10:36 am
Nothing short of incredible. Your energy and dedication to produce such great work still amazes me. MIss you,
Kent
7:04 am
Wow! Hyatt I am speechless! How you minister through your paintings is so moving and I have no words to express how I am blown away at your talent and that you use is for our Lord! If a picture is a thousand words I would have to multiply it by 10! That’s a lot of words to express what you are trying to tell each and everyone who views these paintings!
8:48 am
I love the face of Jesus: firm, confident, convicted, compassionate…
What a blessing your art is Hyatt. God is truly using you and Anne to bridge so many gaps and bring healing to Nations. May He continue to bless and provide for you both above and beyond what you could ask or think.