For the second time I was invited by the Christian Coalition for Orphans to paint live during their nationwide annual conference. Last year it was at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky; this year at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. Both times thousands of people were in attendance. Here are some progress shots of paintings I made for each event, the first in 2011, the second two weeks ago.

For these, I used un-stretched canvas and acrylic paint.

Besides individuals, a hundred or so organizations participate in getting orphans placed, with a lot of tears behind the scenes. It’s an international phenomena with many, many children needing parents.

The acrylic is water-based and fast drying, necessary for these public events.

Last year I chose to do one of my giant “Eyes on the Cross” series. I took a bolt of blank canvas along on the airplane (almost losing it in transit) and a bag of acrylic paint. Then I was set up with backdrop and drop cloths in the foyer of the mega-church where the event was held.

The canvas is 6 ft. x 8 ft. For others like these, see “Eyes on the Cross” here, or an e-gallery back issue here.

What the photos don’t show are all the people who would gather around while I painted or stop to talk with them. It was between conference sessions I’d get most of my work done and snap pictures of my progress. The man ascending stairs shows the scale of the work. You can also see some of the smaller paintings I’d brought along. (Click on the picture to enlarge.)

She’s of Middle-Eastern descent, from a photo I found. The children up for adoption are from everywhere.

Here she is, finished. If you click on the picture (each of them) you’ll see enlarged detail of, for example, the “bubble wrap” texture. That’s where I apply paint to the plastic packing material itself, then lay it directly on the painting and burnish, leaving the “dot pattern.” It’s risky, but whatever doesn’t work can be painted over. A piece of art is an ever-growing work, never perfect but hopefully beautiful, just like a child.

The drawing is the first stage, but complete in potential.

Here’s the progress of a painting done this year at the west coast venue. Ironically, it’s a smaller piece than the first as it was closer to home where I could (just) get the stretched canvas in the car.  As before, I started with a charcoal drawing, the painting in embryo. (Funny, as I write, I just received a request from an anti-abortion organization wanting to use one of my paintings.)

The canvas size is 5 ft. x 4 ft. on thick “gallery wrapped” bars, framed in black.

I said a painting is like a child. At every stage it’s “beautiful,” and in a sense “complete.” You almost want it to stop right there. Yet, there’s always more, and you won’t know what until you let it grow. Only the creator knows what’s coming and the potential of a completed piece.

Children of China, one life-size, the other larger than.

Two works in progress . . . mine with the drawing not yet colored in, drips everywhere, and a little friend who would drop by, slightly disheveled, two teeth gone but, hey, she’s not finished either. As I look, she’s another worthy of a painting. Maybe next year?

The pensive and the relaxed. Both moods have their time.

As people came by taking pictures, I asked if one could be taken on my camera. What I’m doing with a small brush I hardly remember. More typically on these big canvases I’m working with a house brush. Sometimes I offer whatever brush to some highly-interested onlooker to make a few strokes. Why not have lots of help? It takes a village to raise a child.

In the end, both of these paintings were presented to the churches that hosted the events.

Here she is, finished, or at least as far as I was going to take her. A painter, and a parent, can only do so much. There will still be some rough spots. But all those, the apparent evidences of the process, the marks and scars, are part of a uniqueness, a history, and an interest for anyone who wants to look longer, delve deeper, and perhaps even adopt.

For info on the Christian Alliance for Orphans, click here.

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Coming Up: Orange County Home and Garden Show

Anne and I will be showing and selling at this major event. You’re invited.
(If you’d like free tickets, feel free to contact us.)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 18-20
Anaheim Convention Center
800 W. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, California

Star Motors

Specializing in high end automotive repair, Star Motors is hosting a ribbon-cutting Opening and Art Show featuring a selection of my and Anne’s work. All invited.
Thursday, May 31, 5:00-7:00
32955 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, California
949-443-1970

New Gallery

Paintings by Hyatt Moore are now featured at:
Marso Home Collections
7509 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, California
619-664-2472

Sandstone Gallery

Anne will be featured in June with new work
Artist reception June 7, 6-9 p.m.
364-A N Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, California
www.sandstonegallery.com
949-497-6775

Blank Slate

The new literary blog, Blank Slate is currently featuring insights and personal applications from the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes. Subscribers are making it a lively discussion. Back issues are viewable on this website, above right. Or better yet: To subscribe, click here.

Moore & Moore Art Gallery in Dana Point

Open by Appointment
33752 Big Sur, Dana Point, California 92629
949-240-4642

Semi-Private Coaching for Painters

Offering 2-hour sessions on Monday and Wednesday and Saturday mornings
in the Hyatt Moore Studio, Dana Point.
For more info click Art Coaching Flyer.
Or call  949-240-4642

Printmaking Classes

In the Anne Moore studio, Dana Point
To see more of Anne’s, work go to: www.annesprints.com
Call 949-240-4642