As we did last year, once again we spent our anniversary month in a studio apartment in Toledo, Oregon. (Those that didn’t see our anniversary blog, with the picture of us in our 20’s, click on Those Three Little Words.)
How it looked on on the first morning, having just moved in.
When I call it a “studio apartment,” in truth it is a real studio. It’s a restored and converted “Justice of the Peace” headquarters in this small Oregon town with living quarters downstairs and, upstairs, working space for two artists. (Click on each picture for a larger view.)
How it looked on the last day.
During our three weeks we worked six days out of seven (or was it six and a half?). The place was a laboratory of experimentation and production. Don’t let the neatness of the room deceive; we only cleaned it up for these photos.
Even the cabinet becomes storage or display space.
That’s Anne’s press there at the left, a necessary piece of equipment we brought along, as well as inks and plates and paper and even the back-saving waist-high table. As she’d work a piece to completion, up it would go with tape for drying and viewing.
Four 44″x32″ canvas, along with more of Anne’s monotypes.
For this and and following photos, we’re moving around the room to the left. Gradually the print making area becomes the painting area, filling every bit of wall space with new art.
Note the laptop at left, good for photo reference, books on disk, and music.
As for me, I had no idea what I would paint. I brought along a few stretched canvases and a 9-yard bolt of canvas to cut up into custom sizes. I began a series of standing figures, loosely abstracted, which became my theme (with exceptions) for the whole time.
The sink area got lots of use, as did all the drawers.
Once again, this is the “cleaned up version” of the room, with the large easel moved back from its center place in the room. Often I would study Anne’s work for ideas, particularly for color. Why not? When you live with a genius, you might as well take advantage of it.
The four on right are on canvas, the four on left, on paper.
Virtually all of my work was done in acrylic, thus transporting still-wet (and pungent) oil paintings back home in the van wasn’t an issue. Once I used up all the canvas, I began on paper . . . the same heavy, 100-percent rag printmaking material Anne uses. It takes paint as well as ink.
All these, except the large one, are on paper.
When we ran out of wall space, we left. We’d been there 17 days. Anne produced a record 30 pieces, most of which she’d call finished. My production was half again that (counting the small pieces). It was a very productive time, delightfully focused . . . though not without daily walks (rain or shine), field trips to neighboring Newport, frequent meals out, a bit of reading, some writing, plenty of conversation, reflection, and generally an evening video. It was a true working vacation, the best kind.
If you’re interested in views of the same place, but with the clutter of work in progress, see last year’s experience at Holy Toledo.
NOTE: None of the pieces shown here are yet on our websites, but inquiries are welcome.
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Current and Upcoming Events
Baja to Toledo Show
Mark your calendar!
It’s a studio show (at the house) featuring work created at our art-making venture in Baja, California last October and the recent one in Toledo, Oregon . . . and between.
33752 Big Sur, Dana Point, CA
The weekend of April 27 and 28
Painting Lecture-Demo at San Clemente Art Association
This coming Sunday!
An encore at this venue. These are popular, fun, and instructive events.
All are welcome.
100 North Calle Seville (corner of Del Mar)
March 10, 2013, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Lecture-Demo at Huntington Beach Art League
Rodgers Senior Center, another encore
17th and Orange Streets
May 1, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
Blank Slate
The literary blog, Blank Slate is viewable on this same website (top right). Recent posts were sent from Oregon, with art-making reflections. To subscribe, click here.
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
The Oregon Studio
Anyone interested in renting the Justice of the Peace studio discussed above can contact artist Michael Gibbons. Click here.
8:22 am
What a gift to awaken to!
Your life with Anne is charmed…
I am blessed because of it!
Bravissimo, Hyatt and Anne Moore!
8:32 am
Nice to see where it all happens. Umbrella painting on the dixie cups is beautiful how you used red to lightly highlight. Works really well.
Keep going strong, both of you.
Pastor Adam Barton
Akron, Ohio
8:56 am
Thanks for sharing Hyatt. Looks like a wonderful retreat. Your shared life experiences, your art (both of you) and your love of God touches us. What is more fulfilling than that. Touching a life in a positive way for the Lord. You both do that and, I’m sure, many times you never hear about it. You will one day. Blessings!!
9:07 am
Inspirational! That part of the world is a wonderful and relaxing place to cogitate, meditate, paint and just enjoy what God hath wrought! I love the Oregon coast but have not had the chance – yet – to paint along it except for one colored pencil coastal scene.
10:12 am
That is the cleanest art studio I have ever seen. How do you work in such a an efficient space? Sounds like a great time with the missus. I love that area of the world with the misty mornings and windblown beaches. Blessings to you and Anne.
10:33 am
Thanks for sharing, Hyatt! I can see your work evolving, as with Anne’s. The paintings appear, to me, as though they are scenes in motion, like some sort of wonderful dream-state. They impart both beauty and intrigue, simultaneously. Love the studio!
11:52 am
Love your space. The neatness took me aback. LOL. To do what you do, going away with Anne to such a special place, is a dream that affords you a very productive time in all ways. Love the new works from the both of you.
Hope you are being blessed financially as well.
12:57 pm
I am always fascinated with your work. It is wonderful!!!
2:34 pm
Lovely.
2:53 pm
It sounds like such a great time you and Anne spent. And obviously, super productive! I can’t wait to see all the work live. Those figures really stand out to me, especially the one in turquoise and bright orange is stunningly beautiful! When I see you work it’s apparent that you don’t hold back. And I started picking out ones I like of Anne’s but it’s tough to choose just a few. Those primarily black and white ones demand your attention. I want to go to your next show.
10:31 pm
Wow, Hyatt and Anne! What lovely work and a lovely time spent together! Such a perfect union you both are! So much in common to make for such a blessed life together! Goodness! I love so many pieces that you both accomplished! Hyatt, I very much loved the person in motion on the floor. I also loved the 3 dark ladies hung up high on the wall and I liked the 2 smaller dancing flamingo ladies! Will be interesting when you post them and I show them to the places I want to bring your work to. I will begin by using the ones I have here though, so they can see them in person. We can talk of course! Love your work too Anne! Well done, both of you!!!!! Congratulations again! Blessings! Lisa
9:25 am
Loved your”how we got married” story! I’m living through you two vicariously LOL! Looking forward to seeing you possibly in Laguna this summer! Blessings to you both!
12:38 pm
Awesome! Inspiring!
1:07 pm
This is inspiring! I’d love to do this when my kids are grown. Thanks for always sharing the process with us. I enjoy it even more than the finish products.