Big Boat Splashes Over Wall

posted October 15th, 2009 by

Here’s an e-gallery with just one painting to share. That’s in part because this morning we’re running out the door for England, and part because likely you’re busy too. But it’s also because this particular piece is so unusual . . . in size, the way it was painted, how it was installed, and where it now resides.

Bonwit-Boat-Sketch

The sketch, about 6 inches square

The challenge was to make a painting to fill a wall in the pool table room in a new home. The client had a number of ideas but no favorite. I went to work on sketches, from the gleanings of his mind. Among them were tropical beaches, women on a beach, women in a bar(!), and various ship scenes . . . at rest or in motion. In the end he opted for the ship at sea, riding the wild waters.

Bonwit-Boat-in-Studio

In the studio, 10 ft. wide

One option was to paint it directly on the wall. But I opted rather to paint it in my studio. As shown above, it took up the whole width of the wall. The top portion is on one piece of canvas, the bottom a slice of another . . . the top being the maximum height of canvas I could get on short notice.  Yes, there was a due date . . . but I thrive on due dates. And what with a due date, I would normally paint in fast drying acrylic. But what with the tightest of tolerances I couldn’t affording any shrinkage of the canvas, which can happen with water based paint. So, oil it had to be . . . and maybe all the more beautiful because of it. Here the canvas is stapled to the wall. If you look close, on the right are two pictures I was going from, one for the given ship, the other for color match. The misty sky was for the sake of compositional harmony, and a softer spray of a moving ship.

Bonwit-Boat-Installed

Mounted in place

It took the skills of an expert wallpaper man to mount the piece. He did a treatment to the wall first, then glued it up and trimmed out the edges. Worked perfectly. Of course anyone who wants to buy the painting will need to buy the house. But happily the client loves it . . . both the painting and the house, and is not likely to be going anywhere soon. And if he wants to, he can in his mind in that wonderful romantic ship.

26 Comments

  1. Chris Moran Oct 15, 2009
    12:04 pm

    Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.

    Chris Moran

  2. Tom McLennan Oct 15, 2009
    12:41 pm

    Hyatt, What a beautiful piece of work.

  3. eileen anna scrama Oct 15, 2009
    12:42 pm

    beautiful works Hyatt, and bon voyage across the seas much royalty to see amonst the seas and lordy lordy lordy I hope tosee you eha, when you get back form your travels at your home party. Theres time to make planning and unexpected surprize!!

  4. Dave Oltrogge Oct 15, 2009
    1:02 pm

    Call it ‘The Dawn Treader’!

  5. Sue Jarecky Oct 15, 2009
    1:10 pm

    This piece is so beautiful, especially in person. Thanks for sharing the process! Great job, Hyatt!

  6. Frank and Sally Hall Oct 15, 2009
    1:53 pm

    Hyatt and Anne,

    We so enjoy seeing your work. It’s always refreshing and inspirational. It also reminds us of the time you were gracious enough to tour us through your home and studio. We miss you both and remember fondly our times together. I especially appreciated your (Hyatt) sharing your sketch book with me during several of our prayer breakfasts.

    Trust the Lord is blessing you and your family in His many abundant ways. We are ever hopeful of returning to CA for a visit. Nothing planned at present but one never knows.

    God Bless,

    Frank and Sally

  7. Mary Stoner Oct 15, 2009
    1:55 pm

    wow, so it is canavas applied to the wall like wallpaper and not on a stretcher, I take it? I’ve seen this done on a large scale in a local (Lincoln Nebraska) hotel restaurant where they have all variety of gardens from around the world…beautiful. Your piece is exquisite as usual! I’m always amazed at your proliferation of paited works! Have a grand time in England! Hope you get to see some great art up close!!!

  8. Jeanette Oct 15, 2009
    2:07 pm

    What a great painting! The ocean look like it’s Narnian, full of life, and I get to be a part of it.

  9. Sylvia Riggs Oct 15, 2009
    2:28 pm

    I love this! Great painting. I love it that you are not afraid to tackle a difficult problem, like filling a wall and how to get it up there.

  10. Ken Royer Oct 15, 2009
    2:35 pm

    What an inspirational piece of art. We love it! The ship looks like it could float right into the room! You do such a good job. Enjoy England! Ken and Mary Royer

  11. Rhonda Eubanks Oct 15, 2009
    3:15 pm

    Hey Hyatt,
    The ship is beautiful! Amazing job!
    I don’t think you ever posted my beautiful family portrait! Is that because I was a pain in the “you know what”? I love my painting of my family and more and more people are seeing it for the first time because of some different events and meetings we have been having at our home for the church and personal get togethers as well. They all ask about it and think it is wonderful – then they turn around and admire the beautiful picture of Blair on the beach as well. They compliment each other nicely!

    I think about you and Anne often and the wonderful time we had there in the summer of 08! I hope the festival went well and I AM COMING NEXT SUMMER WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS SO GET READY!

    Tell Sweet Anne hello for me
    Love you both,
    Rhonda

  12. Arlene Trauter Oct 15, 2009
    3:23 pm

    What a gorgeous painting, Hyatt!! Blessings, Arlene & Harvey

  13. Linda Speyers Oct 15, 2009
    5:27 pm

    The cabinet in front of the painting makes it feel like you’re looking out at a ship from another ship. Love it!

  14. Hyatt Moore Oct 15, 2009
    6:48 pm

    For Eubanks
    Your paintings are on the site…see Collectors, Personal, Eubanks. Glad you’re getting good remarks. Will look forward to having you at our B&B next summer.

  15. Lollie Oct 15, 2009
    7:32 pm

    just beautiful painting, great colors, oustanding

  16. Rebekah K Jones Oct 15, 2009
    10:10 pm

    Hyatt and Anne,

    This painting is just out of sight. It is so neat. Didn’t know you had that kind of art in you. Have a good trip across the pond.

    Becky Jones

  17. Modeana Lamphier Oct 15, 2009
    10:26 pm

    Wow! Full canvas on a downwind run…makes me long to be at the helm! Was this done from a shot of your client’s vessel? What a treasure either way! I’m not sure you know of my sailing background, but this one takes me there! Hyattt, I can smell it, and unless you’ve been to sea…well…this painting might be about as close as one could get. Truely lovely.
    Thanks for sharing it!
    Modeana

  18. Sadaf saeedi Oct 16, 2009
    10:09 am

    This is so amazing i love it, and its great how u showed all the steps wow

  19. Hyatt Moore IV Oct 16, 2009
    1:40 pm

    Dad,

    Great work, I’m glad to get to see what you had been telling me about. Now we just need to get invited over to play pool …

  20. Mabel Pittman Oct 16, 2009
    2:58 pm

    Great! Does not surprise me in the least that you would be so talented!

    You can “wallpaper” our room anytime you get a chance to visit! (;o)

    Ah! This wonderful world of electronics . . . I can see what you’re doing TODAY if you want me to!

    I just read again your account of Neil Anderson with the translation in Paupau, NG — what did the Lord do when He gave you all those talents? Bless you for not keeping them to yourselves.

    Love,
    Mabel for us both

  21. Marion Haynes Oct 19, 2009
    11:13 am

    WOW! What a wonderful painting!! How clevely mounted too!
    Lucky customer. Hope you have a great time away. Congratulations on the gallery placement as well. They’re going to love having your work and you working there!

  22. Svetlana VanderHeyden Oct 19, 2009
    10:14 pm

    Hi Hyatt and Anne,
    This is just magnificent! Thank you for showing it to us.

    I am very glad I got to meet both of you and take the workshop. You have inspired us to grow as artists and as individuals. Our love to your family.

    Svetlana.

  23. Kris Patton Oct 21, 2009
    12:29 am

    Hyatt

    ‘Love the new piece – Wish I could see it in person. Your work always intrigues me to stay and linger longer and enjoy. Call me I may have another commission request.

    Cheers to you both!
    Kris Patton

  24. Kris Patton Oct 21, 2009
    12:32 am

    Oh by the way ~

    See you at Studio 7! Your work will be a terrific addition to the artists already being shown.

    Drop by the new Aran Gallery. My daughter Shannon is the director there now.

    Blessings, Kris

  25. kathleen mcmahon Oct 23, 2009
    7:24 pm

    Hyatt,
    That’s outstanding! Thanks for sharing the process.

    Kathleen

  26. Bob Schneider Nov 25, 2009
    5:31 pm

    Hyatt

    For years I’ve thought of you as the consummate writer/author. Now you’re on your way to achieve
    a similar goal in paint.