The model, momentarily dozing. Same with her doggie under her chair.
Every year about this time the San Clemente Art Association sponsors a plein air competition. Though painting outside on location is not my usual way, and has multiplied challenges, it’s a good way to stretch oneself. So I entered. The 150 or so participants have a week to paint, anywhere in San Clemente, and will submit two pieces for a judging this coming Saturday (6/21/08). During that morning and afternoon, participating artists will display work for sale in booths at the community center. Anne and I will be there and I’m hereby inviting all who can to come by. It should be a good outing. The competition has brought in some good artists from out of the area as well as local. And, of course, San Clemente is a lovely coastal town, with great beaches, hills with curvy streets, and heritage Spanish architecture.
Painting a Model Outdoors
Besides the week of painting around town, the whole thing started with an event called a “Quick Draw.” Those who entered this part of it had two hours to make a painting, starting with a blank canvas. This year the subject matter was expanded from any view that could be seen from the community center, to a still life or a model. I chose to paint the model. The photos below show stages of the painting as I progressed. 
The two-hour painting, shown in four stages of development. Click twice for larger view.
Most of the 75 or so who participated chose to do a landscape; maybe 15 chose the still life, and as many concentrated on the model. In fact, there were so many I could hardly find a place in the semi-circle for my easel. But as I wanted a close up anyway, I sat on the grass, low and in front of others. What with a bit of sun screen for the crossed legs, it worked just fine. Taking quick digitals of my progress is something I’ve been doing lately, just because it’s so easy. It provides a record and sometimes fellow artists like to see the progression. 
Summer Hat, Oil on canvas, 16×12. Click for info.
In a sense this is a plein air painting, since it was done out in the open, but in fact such are normally landscapes. There’s another name for this kind: “ala prima.” Quoting directly from my computer dictionary, that means, “essentially, the whole painting is done in one session. Detail isn’t as important as seeing . . .” and then it drifts off. But so does the painting. As some artist has said, “I don’t finish my paintings, I abandon them.” But knowing when to abandon them can be tricky, and too often it’s done far later than it should have been. In this case it was finished when the bell went off. I must say I was pleased with it, and have received a good bit of acclaim for it, particularly as it didn’t place. But it’s another example that making good paintings and winning contests aren’t always the same thing. So be that. 
Another Perspective, Monotype, 9×11. Click for info.
Another Perspective by Anne
Meantime, while I’m painting away outside, Anne has been quietly preparing for her big summer show. We’ll be featuring more of her work in future e-galleries, but for now I just wanted to display one. Another Perspective is a study in rich color, intriguing layers, a motif with more than a hint of esoteria (that one’s not in my computer dictionary), and handsome design. It’s a piece one could look at for a very long time, and all along receiving, well, other perspectives.
This Saturday’s Show
Once again, we want to invite you to come by this Saturday if you read this in time, and if you’re anywhere nearby. I’ll be showing quite a bit of work, including the above ala prima, some 20 recent plein air pieces and a smattering of studio work. There will be many other artists showing as well, and just a lovely day to be out in San Clemente. (Details below.)
CURRENT SHOWS
Seventh Annual Paint San Clemente Art Show and Sale
One day only
Saturday, June 21, 10am-4pm
Community Center on Avenida Del Mar
Paintings by Hyatt Moore
Calvary Chapel Capo Beach
25975 Domingo Avenue
Capistrano Beach, California
A “refreshed” show, as some pieces have been moved out and others added.
New Work at Gallery on Glassell
115 N. Glassell
Orange, California
(714) 744-9844
Fifteen new pieces, most of them large, were delivered to this gallery this past week in preparation for an August show. Meantime the gallery is open and the paintings available. For selection see Gallery on Glassell on my website.
10:24 pm
Wow you two are talented!
I wish you would give a drawing class. I can bring students!
I will try to make it downtown. Visitors coming in aftnoon but i’ll bring ’em!
Best wishes,
10:32 pm
sweet
10:39 pm
Nice work, as always!
11:19 pm
Hyatt
As always, I am amazed at your art. ‘Can’t wait to see the completion of the pleine air painting in San Clemente on the 21st. Thanks for giving us this great body of work.
Ann – Your work is as beautiful as you are…
Vaya Con Dios
Kris Patton
3:50 am
You’ve done a beautiful job in a short amount of time. I think it’s awesome as is all your work. Again God has blessed you with a wonderful gift. VB
4:25 am
Wow. The painting is so beautiful! It’s good to see the stages. She seems more Asian in the final product–more like the model. But, more beautiful and alive.
Enjoy the day Saturday!
Lynnel
5:44 am
I just returned from teaching a 2-day class on “sketching for journaling”……your stages displayed here for your
plein air stint were a delight to see. Are you using oil
wash at first, or acrylic? I paint similarly…..looks
intrigueing….as are you. Thanks for mailing the Damascus
Road DVD to my friend in Florida. She has not received it
as of last night but anxiously awaits the viewing & your testimony.
6:18 am
Hi Hyatt, It was a real pleasure reading your newsletter and seeing your painting at the “Paint SC ” Great work! The newsletter really was wonderful for me since I am usually there participating but right now am traveling in Nova Scotia. Also, I am glad to see that they are including portrait and still life in the competition. Good luck, your painting looks like a winner!
6:50 am
For Marty Peet–Nice to hear of your activities. I painted that piece in oil. Actually that was in walnut-oil based paint by M. Graham. It’s less toxic and a pleasure to use, with a wonderful sheen when it (finally) dries. On that one I started with so much of the walnut oil “medium” in the paint it was almost too thin for applying the thicker paint later. But as you see, it served to “wash” the big shapes up quickly. And sometimes the drips are nice to leave in.
7:30 am
What a joy to watch you create such beautiful work during these past four weeks. You’re an inspiration to watch creating your work…such a natural…so fast…allowing your paint to run away with you. Painting three and four pieces each session was amazing to see. I loved your entry in the San Clemente Contest…absolutely amazed you didn’t win. Looking forward to Saturday. Mary
7:53 am
thanks Hyatt, for including us in your emails. I always enjoy seeing what the two of you are creating! Your work, as always, is stunning! One of these years we hope to get back out there and take in one of your shows in person.
Mary S, from the very soaked, very green Midwest
10:06 am
Hyatt,wish that I could have been there to watch you paint the model, but getting to see the stages of the piece is the next best. I love the looseness of your work and the way that you capture the essence of the person without the detail. Anne, your work is always stunning, and I wish I understood it better. Perhaps a short description by you each time you show us your work would help us to better understand the art of printmaking. Hope to see you both on Saturday.
Gail Howatt
2:54 pm
Hey Hyatt, I guess I wouldn’t really know good art from the other, but yours always strikes a bit of emotion in me. Thanks!!
Rocky / Orlando, Florida
4:02 pm
I always enjoy seeing artwork from both of you and this was especially interesting to see yours, Hyatt, done in stages, as it makes for a more ‘study’. Would love to see the show – maybe sometime! Thanks for letting us enjoy the beauty with you. marlys
9:23 am
Pardon the emphasis, but as an “OLD” friend from way back, I am absolutely amazed!
As the saying goes, “I never knew you had it in you!”
On the other hand, knowing of your creative touch back in those wonderful days at WBT-HB editorial, I really shouldn’t have been THAT surprised!
With Anne maybe it’s more surprising, because we didn’t get to know her talent in this direction back then.
Anyway, to put in in the proverbial nutshell, it’s great stuff–and keep up the good work.
regards, harry