Commissions have been in focus these last several months, keeping me occupied and us in food and shelter. Of those commissions, a good number have been portraits. Portraits: always the most challenging of paintings. Many painters won’t attempt them. But why the challenge, you ask, when you paint people so prolifically? Yes, I answer, but painting people as “personality studies” is different than people as “paying patrons.” It can be a different frame of mind. Confidence and boldness is replaced by timidity and inhibition. In the one case the model is anonymous, one who will never see the resultant painting; in the other (s)he will, as well as a host of relatives and friends, with their analysis of whether the mouth is just right or, or, or. Many fine painters have done their poorest work when they’ve come to portraits.

Grandchildren and Friends, Oil on Canvas, 36×48. Each individual painting can be viewed larger by clicking here, and scrolling down to Scott and Carolyn McOwen.

It was one Scott McOwen of San Clemente, California who first talked me into doing a portrait of his wife and granddaughter in the same painting, many years ago. I was reluctant, but in fact pulled it off adequately. Recently, after some six years, he contacted me again, now with more grandchildren and grand ideas. He said that of all the artwork they own, that portrait is the most meaningful. Now he wanted a painting with his six grandchildren as well as six children from other parts of the world where he has philanthropic involvement. “That will be a challenge,” I said, “I don’t know if I can do it,” to which he responded, “That’s what you said last time.” In the end we came up with the best way to approach it: 12 individual paintings on 12″x12″ canvases, which can be hung together, in any checkerboard that looks good, or separated. Moreover, the collection can be added to as children increase, either in the family, or the international involvement. The above is the result, at least in one of the ways it can be presented.

Emma, Oil on Canvas, 12×12

Another thing you might not know if you’re not a painter is that children can be the most challenging to paint. Old people with a lot of wrinkles and facial landscape are a whole lot easier. With smooth skin the nuances are much more subtle, and if you’re not careful you can get all hung up in “likeness” and forget about making a nice piece of art. (Besides, with old people, their parents aren’t around to judge.)

Claire, Oil on Canvas, 12×12

And of children, babies can be the most challenging. It’s for this I was happy that the McOwen family was so pleased with the result. As it happens, the McOwens have requested canvas prints so all of the families represented have their particular set. It’s been a happy solution all around. 

Solzhenitsyn, Oil on Canvas, 12×9

Here we have a portrait, but not commissioned. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn didn’t even know me, but after reading so much of his material I felt I knew him. Besides, his face was a landscape! How many hours did I spend reading his Gulag Archipelago, his Cancer Ward, his essays and speeches, and a full biography of his life? He was a giant of a man and Time Magazine should have commissioned me to paint his picture for a cover, if they knew me, or if they still used paintings on their covers. (But if they had I might have frozen up and painted something smooth and wooden.) As it was, a buyer came to our show at the house last year and picked this one up for a good price.

Miles Davis, Oil on Panel, 12×12. Click on image for price info and larger view.

Speaking of people I know but who never knew me, here’s one of my friend Miles Davis. Well, at least we’ve spent many an evening together over the years. I had to search awhile to find a photo of him not playing his horn. I didn’t want an icon, I wanted just the man. This one I still have (just in case Time is ever interested).

Mechelle and Beau, Oil on Canvas, 18×18

Okay, we’re stretching things again when we define what constitutes a portrait. In this case I know the woman, not the man. More to the point, I know Mechelle’s parents, who commissioned the painting and gave it as a wedding present. The moment is their engagement, from a photo taken on a camera phone by on-lookers who were privy to the surprise. Once again, it’s a challenge between mechanical “likeness” and art. In this case, it’s the story as much as anything, with a definite center of focus.

Judy Stoner, Oil on Canvas, 11×14

Speaking of paintings done for love, here’s one commissioned by a happy husband of his beautiful wife as a present to her for him to hang on his wall. Did you follow that? It was a surprise gift to her, but for him. Her part was to choose the frame. I’m told she was very moved, said that no one had ever thought to do such a thing for her (and he was glad to hear that). Now it adorns his office for many to admire, particularly him. 

Kimono Trio, Mixed Media, 36×36. Click on image for price info and larger view.

Finally, and once again it’s a question whether this constitutes a portrait, here’s a piece from a photo I took in Japan. We were there early this month, visiting our son and his family. He does cryptology for the Navy (and that’s all he can tell me). Anne and I spent an enjoyable two weeks, admiring the place and the people. The above was from a chance encounter of three who were trying out the kimono look for the day. What this rendition doesn’t reveal very well is the abundant use of gold leaf, on the clothing and even sparkles in the hair. Would I have the boldness to do that on a commissioned piece? (Maybe, if the client set me loose.) In a future e-gallery we’ll share more pieces with gold leaf addition. It can take art into a whole new visual appreciation, particularly in certain light.

Upcoming Show

I mentioned the annual “show at the house.” It’s something of an “inventory sale” with some very good prices for very good art (of course). The date is coming up. Consider yourself invited. Here are the details:
Saturday, Nov. 8 (4:00-10:00) and Sunday, Nov. 9 (1:00-5:00)
Hyatt and Anne Moore Studio/Gallery
33752 Big Sur Dana Point, California 92629
(949) 240-4642

About Getting a Portrait

Anyone interested in a portrait, for themselves or as a gift (or a gift to selves), or a commission of any kind, feel free to contact us. There’s time to have one for the holidays. Then there are birthdays, or anniversaries, or even engagements!  Of course, any time a portrait is presented makes its own holiday. For more examples, see the website under Collectors/Personal and scroll around. The portraits are labeled for easy browsing. Contact us at moore@hyattmoore.com.

Facebook

As a Post Script, I’ll just mention that I now have a Facebook account. It’s put us in touch with a lot of old friends. If you have such an account and want to include us as friends, you’ll know how to do it. (At least I think you will; I’m not sure myself yet.)

Websites

As usual, both Anne’s and my work is viewable on our websites at www.hyattmoore.com and www.annesprints.com. Feel free to visit. And feel free to jot a note here.