I mentioned our trip to Jericho and to Israel. Actually Jericho is part of Israel, to the consternation of most who live there. But that’s another matter. We went to build a playground, just for the sake of spreading some good around.

This is what it looked like when it came out of the container. It’s original home was in Chicago, where is was disassembled . . . very carefully, with marks of which parts go with which, so we’d know how to get it back together.

We were with a group of fellow volunteers with Kids Around the World. Only a few had background in this kind of work, but somehow, like with the energetic diligence of a bunch of ants, we all found things we could do and did them.

Here’s how it looked as we began our fourth and final day. The swings were yet to go up (foreground poles), cement yet to be poured, and piles flattened out. After that, just add children . . . who swarmed it as soon as we were done.

I didn’t go to paint, but did bring some materials with me, just in case. As it happened, Anne and I took a Sabbath rest in the middle, in Tiberius on Lake Galilee. She read, I painted. Sometimes she read to me. A lovely day.

I painted from photos taken and downloaded to my computer. (People wonder that my laptop is so paint-spattered.)

Actual photos would do these sites more justice, but Blank Canvas is an art blog so I’m showing paintings. Here, if you’ll allow the license, is the Dead Sea.

In Palestine, where we were the first half of the trip, it’s most common to find the women with heads covered. We visited a girls school where Kids Around the World built a playground last year and we were warmly welcomed, even with tea in the principle’s office. Among the traditionally black-garbed teachers was this young PE coach with a warm smile and in stunning hot pink!

I made 25 paintings that day, quick sketches really, acrylic on canvas. I’m not sure if that’s how impressionism was invented, but those painters set the way and gave permission to the rest of us.
This is of En Gedi, where King Saul jealously pursued his servant David and David famously cut off a corner of Saul’s garment bringing peace (for awhile).

The number 25 came up when I realized I could make these as gifts for our fellow travelers. (As I think of it now, it was another way to serve.)

Sometimes the place was specific, like this from the monastery at Temptation Mountain, traditionally where Jesus was tempted of the devil. It is a sheer cliff, from which if one jumped, it really would be the end.
The photo is of the monastery.
The child on the right is an impression of a bedouin.

Here’s another of En Gedi. Imagine night is approaching. I suppose I could have tried a rendition after dark but there’d be nothing to paint but blackness. (I saw an all black painting in a gallery today, larger; it was $8000!)

Someone offered to take out picture overlooking Armageddon. The angle doesn’t do justice to this most expansive place. As for the wires and Anne’s earpiece, they were so we could hear our guide as we traveled around. We gained as much by what we heard as what we saw.

These few pictures do absolutely no justice to all we did and took in. I’ve begun and will continue more commentary on aspects of the trip along with sketchbook drawings on my writing blog, Blank Slate. You can see it on this website, or sign up here to receive notices of its posting.

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Open House and Studio Show

December 6-7

Click here for info:

House Show 12’14w

Actually, the whole house has been called a work of art.
Certainly it’s a gallery, with art hanging on every wall in every room.
Come to find the perfect piece, or come just to hang out.

33752 Big Sur, Dana Point, California
December 6-7, 2014
Saturday, 3:00-9:00
Sunday, 1:00-6:00

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Two Great Books, Perfect for Gifts!

People of the Earth

NEW! A 20-year retrospective of paintings by Hyatt Moore, all of a unique genre, 122-pages, 130 paintings. A beautiful coffee table book, very tasteful, and a tribute to the color and dignity of people around the world. $24.95, or three for the price of two. Shipping is free.
GO HERE FOR ORDERING INFORMATION.

 

It’s About Life

It’s About Life, a personal take on the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes, very positive, often philosophical and motivational. Full of salt. And peppered with sketchbook drawings over many years and many places. $14.95, or, three for the price of two. And free shipping.
GO HERE FOR ORDERING INFORMATION.