Next month I’ll be holding my first-ever plein air painting workshop, so it seems fitting to feature a few landscapes here. Plein air is basically painting outdoors, which most typically means landscapes. The fact is, however, I painted none of these outdoors, except the last one. Either way, the inspiration comes from nature, and nature is enough to inspire even the dullest mind.
California Hillscape 3, oil, 36×48. All paintings shown are available, except the last one.
I don’t know the origin of California’s moniker as “The Golden State.” Likely it’s from the gold rush which was originally responsible for its population boom. But when I drive through her, I often think she deserves the title just from the marvelous grasses growing on sun-drenched hills.
California Hillscape 1, oil, 20×20
Those hills take on different colors in different seasons, times of day, and various places. This painting is something of an abstraction, or simplification, giving a quick “drive-by” impression, created with a lot of knife work and scumble brush.
River Runs Through It, oil, 34×40
The abstraction gets more intense on this one. Part of the interest and originality comes from it being painted over another painting. I don’t even remember what the other one was, but it was sacrificed for the cause and enhances it as flecks of the original colors are still coming through in the final painting.
Telega Course, oil, 30×40
Here the place featured is the Telega Golf Course in San Clemente, California. In the clubhouse they likely refer to this as “The Greens.” But in this brilliant sunlight, we might rather refer to them as “The Yellows” or “The Chartrueses!”
White House, oil, 20×20
Now we’re getting really abstract, conveying emotion, or at least motion, instead of representing a specific place. Paintings can do that. It’s art, and art can go in any direction that pleases.
Round House, oil, 11×14. Courtesy of Mike and Hilda Evans.
Here’s a delightful little painting I really did do outdoors, “en plein air.” I painted it some years ago, at the Tree of Life Nursery, the same place we’re holding the workshop next month. That’ll be the first Friday and Saturday of August. Besides the two days of painting and instruction and fun and sun, at the close we’ll be hosting a show of the work accomplished over the two days. That will be open to friends, for a small admission to cover costs. Besides food and showing our work, we’ll also feature a lively lecture on the many directions of landscape painting. To sign up for either of these, as a painter (for the workshop) or just an appreciator (for the lecture/show), click on the link below.
Either way, love landscapes. Stay inspired.
.
Current Shows and Events
“Paint Like Crazy,” Plein Air Workshop and Show
with Hyatt Moore
Sponsored by Tree of Life Nursery
in the wilds of Ortega Highway outside of San Juan Capistrano, California
Friday and Saturday, August 3 & 4
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION.
Semi-Private Coaching for Painters
in Hyatt Moore studio
Mondays and Saturdays in Dana Point
Call for information, 949-290-8643
Printmaking Classes
in Anne Moore studio
Call for info, 949-240-4642
10:21 am
Very beautiful work.
Are you attending Via this year?
11:36 am
I seriously need to move to California!
:)
1:22 pm
Really enjoyed the “Round House.” Do you underpaint when you do plein air work?
1:29 pm
It seems to me to take much more confidence to paint abstractly. I worry that if I painted abstractly people would think I couldn’t do fine/detailed work. I guess I worry too much about what others think, huh?
6:28 pm
Love the glow in your “California Gold” pictures! If I were twins, I would send my other half to take the workshop!
7:20 pm
Love the Plein Air paintings!
10:22 am
All of these are beautiful. Have never seen any of your art (or Anne’s) that I didn’t love and we’d have a houseful if we could. Have shared your art with a neighbor who does clay sculpture and she also was impressed.
1:00 pm
REALLY like the Round House!
6:43 am
Round house is beautiful! Thanks.
7:38 pm
Hello Hyatt……Please plan to offer this workshop again. Unfortunately I am unable to attend on Aug. 3rd & 4th. I sure would like the opportunity to study painting with you, hopefully, in the somewhat near future. I will look for your future offerings/workshops.
Suszanne