Here’s a tribute to Winter while we’re still in the midst of it.
Being a Southern Californian, winter is something I like to go and visit.
Sometimes.
That’s exactly what we did over Christmas, when we went, Anne and I, with heavy coats, bought or borrowed, to Minnesota and then Wisconsin, for family and friends and frost and food and a great abundance of snow.
Snow Farm 1, Oil on Canvas, 11×20, on an early morning, moving down toward Madison.
Our daughter (one of four) lives in Minnesota, and my sister (one of three) in Wisconsin. Tamara (daughter) had just given birth to a third daughter of her own and we went to welcome her. And in Wisconsin I wanted to see my sister’s fairly recent situation. It was also a return to where I grew up. Sort of.
Snow Farm 2, Oil on Canvas, 12×16, blue on blue in loose style with paint shoveled on, like, well, snow. For larger views of all, click on the pictures.
It was my grandparents and sometimes uncles who lived in Wisconsin’s wider places. Dad had us in Milwaukee. But we’d get out on trips sometimes, in the old Nash, cruising over single-lane highways with stomach-sinking dips and Jersey cows on every side. Or were they Guernseys?
Was it so beautiful then?
It must have been.
The land is full of majestic barns with handsome silos and smaller-looking two-story houses with glass handles on their doors,
all on rolling roads through soft hills left by melting glaciers before anyone was around to see it, much less paint it.
Snow Farm 3, Oil on Canvas, 12×16, in looser style yet. All intended for desired effect.
Did I notice how incredibly beautiful it is? Did anybody say it?
Between ages 5 and 12, that’s when snow was only fun,
not work and inconvenience.
And the cold? It was just something you dress for, with layers and lining, and muffs and scarfs and boots.
Snow Farm 4, Oil on Panel, 11×14, (alt. title: “Frosted Cake with Candles”).
I have wondered, on going back now, how it was anyone settled these places. They must have got their houses up fast, in the summer, before they even knew the hard winds would be blowing and the temperatures dropping and spring such a long time in coming.
Snow Farm 5, Oil on Canvas, 18×36, actually a much larger piece than the others shown here, and all the more “abstract.”
But these are all perspectives from an outsider now, a softie, long removed to warmer climes. The photos were taken through a windshield. The paintings made in back-home studio. But they were wonderfully fun to make, and I hope, to look at. I could paint many more, as I have the photos. Finding new owners for some of these first would provide the motivation. Which is why I couldn’t resist the following shot.
Artist in Window, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Dec. 25, 2008, with not unintended subliminal advertising.
This is me on Christmas day, braving elements for an afternoon walk with Anne. We came across this fine little art and frame shop across from a bakery. The temperature was zero. We suddenly remembered a phone call we’d planned to make, a Christmas-day greeting to daughter Allison in England, multiple time-zones away. We ducked into the doorway to get out of the wind and with a click on the i-phone we were connected. After that I saw the sign, high on the door window (mirror?) and knew I had to have the picture. It seems quaint, maybe even quirky if it weren’t so well done. It’s not something the bakery across the way would think they needed, like, “Buy Bread.” Bread will be bought, regardless. Art, however, is another thing.
Even if, for the soul, just as necessary.
When your soul gets to craving, let us know.
(And no need to wait for Christmas.)
Until next time.
Hyatt, and for Anne, your friends in the arts
Upcoming Shows, Teaching, and Workshops
Sandstone Gallery
March 4-30
Anne will be featured at the Laguna Beach gallery with a show of her monotypes. Artist’s reception March 5, 6-9 pm. More information at www.sandstonegallery.com.
Spring Studio Show
March 7-8
Once again, we will open our house/studio to friends and all for a display of recent work. This will be a pre-showing of pieces going just the following week to the prestigious La Quinta show. Mark your calendar.
La Quinta Show
March 12-15
Anne and I have each been juried into this show in the desert. We’d long heard about it, and last year visited it. Details can be found at www.lqaf.com.
“Loosen Up” Workshop
The recent workshop in San Clemente, California for a dozen artists was very well received. Another is scheduled for March 21-22. Click here for details.
Semi-Private Art Coaching for Painters
Monday in Dana Point
Call for your two-hour slot, 949-290-8643
Printmaking Classes by appointment, same phone number.
12:42 pm
Hyatt,
Very nice work. Your style seems to create a feeling that winter is happening to this land/area.
Mel
2:00 pm
Hey,you braved the land of snow! Yes, it’s beauty never ceases to amaze. I am currently tip-toeing back into printmaking, and my first re-attempt, a snow scene in linocut! I’ll admit, I’m a little jealous that you’ve already cranked out 5 paintings in the time it’s taken me to draw, cut and proof one print! Oh well, maybe with practice I’ll speed up. As always, thanks for the inspiration.
Mary from Nebraska
2:08 pm
Hyatt,
I loved the paintings and the commentary. Great work…thanks for sharing.
Rhonda
2:10 pm
LOL! Taken through the windshield! OH! What a SOFTIE!!!
Didn’t even get out of the car to take pics? :-)
Sounds like a Californian to me… HAHAHAHA
(from one Californian, to another…)
But what happened to being “one” with your subject, getting into the Pathos of the subject…?
Paul
3:06 pm
I echoe Mary above. I’ve only done two paintings in the last month and now I’m admiring your landscapes. Now I’m inspired. Keep up the good work.
Tony Joyce
3:19 pm
Hyatt, Your story telling around the pictures is precious.
3:32 pm
Love (LOVE) “Snow Farm 1”!
Maybe one of these days I’ll own a Hyatt Moore painting.
3:59 pm
You put so much life into the “dead winter”. Love the energy and colors. I so enjoyed every one of them.
4:08 pm
Dear Hyatt Moore,
My husband and I live on our farm in a small township
called Middleton Township just outside of Madison, Wisconsin . Our three children are grown and moved elsewhere so it has just been my husband , myself and
our German Shepherd dog who live here now. A young farmer who is now in his mid thirties (and whom we’ve known since he was a young boy) comes to our farm from up the road almost daily in winters like this , to plow our long drive for us with his bobcat. One of the things he has always done is make 15 foot snow mountains for our dog,
named Prophet, to run up and down on and he plays in the snow with such joy. Rich keeps a picture of Prophet, standing on the very top of one of his snow mountains , in his bobcat . Last Thursday we had to have our beloved dog
put down due to illness. My heart has been broken . And I
couldn’t imagine ever feeling happy again. But now today your winter, SNOW FARMS of WISCONSIN, pictures came . So gorgeous . So very beautiful. So ‘capturing’ of the absolute beauty of these Snows. For the first time since having to say farewell to my beloved German Shepherd companion , I could feel my spirit begin to stir and rise again. I didn’t think it possible.
You are a miracle worker with your brush. And I say “Thank You” with all my broken heart.
Sincerely, Cat Snitchler
4:40 pm
Hyatt,
as someone who also left ‘snow country’ to live in milder climes,(although, this winter in Seattle has had me re-thinking my choice!) I found your pictures somewhat nostalgic. I don’t really miss having to deal with all the cold and snow, but the stark beauty of it really comes through. I, too, have often wondered why anyone settled and stayed in places like these. But my ancestors were of that ilk, settling in Wisconsin and Nebraska and I have to think they knew something…I guess coming from Denmark it wouldn’t seem all that much different and maybe made them feel more at home in the new land. Myself, give me sun and warm beaches anytime!
It was fun to see you and Anne at Thanksgiving even though is was much too short a visit to really visit.
affectionately,
Annie
8:01 pm
Hi Hyatt… and Anne,
I am soooo glad that I receive these uplifting, beautiful glimpses of your art. I love especially the 2nd one. I can actually feel the cool, fresh air and welcome the sunshine. Makes me a bit homesick.
Miss you two.
9:10 pm
Beautiful, it reminds me of some the scenery we used to see outside Toronto, when we lived there. I did miss the seasons though, that’s why we moved to Prescott, to have some snow, not too much though. When it snows here, we wake to “powder sugar” on top of the trees and bushes, by noon it’s gone except in some places. Anyway, thanks for sharing.
Ingrid
9:16 pm
Dear Hyatt,
Your cold weather paintings are delightful and still reflect your sensibilities. Having been born in Canada, grew up in so. cal then moved to ny ct and relatives in minnesota i can appreciate what you have done. I look forward to seeing your paintings for real and am still interested in having you paint my spanish style home in Laguna as soon as i can afford it. Love your work!
Sharon
10:03 pm
As always, I love your work. It looks just like Langley BC this past month. Crazy amount of snow, but beautiful and picturesque. Thank you for sharing your art with us. Keep up the marvelous work. We miss you guys !!
11:33 pm
Having lived in Minnesota, I feel the cold winter as I view the paintings…….you pick up the mood and feeling very well…..burrrrr. I forwarded the e mail to all my friends in Minnesot and Wisconsin. allan
5:49 am
Hyatt,
I love snow and winter, so your paintings are wonderfully evocative, of American winters.
I appreciate them all the more after living through wet winters in Paris, France for 20+ years. Merci!
-Steve Thrall
8:24 am
Hyatt, the pix of you standing at the door of the art shop is amazing. I think at least half of the Muse’s work is in having the artist SEE things that the rest of us can’t. Your work brings things into focus. thanks for sharing with us!
11:39 am
Hyatt, I love it! I’m a Chicago girl (well- farm town outside of Chi town) and miss the
snow! You’re paintings are lovely as always! and I can fell the crisp chill just looking at them. A pleasure as always, Lora
12:04 pm
“Bread will be bought, regardless. Art, however, is another thing. Even if, for the soul, just as necessary.”
Amen. Thank you for always reminding me…
12:57 pm
We enjoyed the pictures & comment from Wisconsin altho your mother couldn’t see your pictures. It reminds me when we lived in Milwaukee, When we moved to California she was very upset but she soon learned to appreciate the climate. When you return to GOD’S climate we would appreciate a visit. Love Dad
8:26 pm
Ahhhhh, landscapes, they’re like a really good novel; they can indulge our reverie without having to leave home. Beautiful Winter scenes, Hyatt. Thanks.
9:16 pm
Hyatt & Anne,
The art is beautiful and we are enjoying some of that cold here in TN. David and Luanne just got here on Wednesday night. Went out to breakfast with David, Luanne, Art and Garnette, and Bill and Me. Then they moved the furniture
out of the van and into the house. Quiet a difference between the weather here and CA. We are loving having our kids here close by.
Keep sending the art—I really enjoy it.
Love to you all,
Becky Jones
5:22 am
Hyatt,
I am so moved by these winter scenes.
You have captured some of my own impressions when I lived in Michigan for the first half of my life. I am deeply moved by them.
Keep up the great work!
Anne
9:05 pm
Hyatt,
You inspire me… to live, to look, to even laugh out loud! WOW!! These are beautiful and the vignettes that go with the paintings are just as good….
Rebecca
12:20 pm
Brrrr. I can feel the cold as I look at these paintings. Very well done.