It’s the time of year for the jury selection for the Laguna Festival of Arts. I think I’ve entered ten times, always with a different genre, never to finalize. I’m always glad when Anne does (as she will be in again next summer). So we’ll see what happens. It would be fun to be there together.
(Left) A Mate, oil, (Center) Pretty Posture, oil, both 30×20, (Right) Standing Ready, oil, 16×12. (For all, click for larger view.)
It was Anne’s suggestion that this time I submit my abstractive figurative work. It’s one of my many interests and genres. If you visit the Sandstone Gallery in Laguna Beach, that’s where you’ll find that variety of my work. The arrangement above is what the judges will see for the first (digital) running. Hopefully by then their eyes won’t be too glazed over. There are hundreds of applicants for a only a few openings.
Here’s the current show at the Sandstone in Laguna, just three pieces this month. It’s a gallery that features only abstract, thus a good place to show this particular genre of mine. Anne exhibits here too.
I painted the above, Portrait of Sid, oil, 16×20, some time back from an old black and white photo of my friend Sid who I lost track of about 50 years ago. The original inspiration was from a much larger work I came across in France, Portrait of Anne by Nicolas de Stael (left). I keep thinking I’ll do more like that, but then other ideas hit. (This one sold and is now in the collection of Craig and Carol Faber in Des Moines, Iowa.)
Here are two I painted at the same time, Her and Him 8 (left) and Her and Him 9 (above), both oil, both 40×30. They’re part of a series by the same title, all different and usually different sizes. People sometimes ask me why the face is not detailed. You know I love to paint faces. But these are more about the design, that and the generalized figures. Making them “specific” would be a whole other kind of painting. And you’d wonder, “Who is it?”
Gesture 21, oil, 16×16, is really all about design, that and heavy texture and thick paint. Don’t ask me why I named it what I did. It is a gesture drawing, but why 21? It now belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Rick Marcotte of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Evening Stroll, oil, 16×16, is another that’s as much about the paint as anything, the colliding colors, the thick palette knife application, the attitude and slight movement in the figure. As with a number of these, this one is completely made up from the mind. (Again, double click for more detail.)
Simply Elegant, oil, 32×26, is perhaps my most minimal piece. Zen link, that blouse made from just three purposed strokes with a house brush. Note also the Anne-influenced printmaking patterns in the background.
The most recent is Shell Seeker, oil, 24×18, done almost entirely with palette knife. In spite of the rugged approach, this one’s veering closer to realism than the others. Inspired by a friend who finds shells and in them, the finger of God.
You’ll see that the painting graces the show invitation below.
Click on that invitation to enlarge the details. Or just mark your calendar with the following:
Saturday and Sunday, November 17-18, at our house.
33752 Big Sur, Dana Point
Come, and feel free to bring a friend.
Meantime, let me know if you have a favorite of any of these. (If any.)
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3:48 pm
These are beautiful works. I am praying that your work will be seen by the jurors at the optimum time! Hope we get to see your work at the festival this year!! I love your undefeated attitude.
5:06 pm
Thanks, Sophia. As one artist to another. And it was great being with you last week in Santa Barbara.
5:10 pm
I like all of your painted – but I don’t have a wall in my house. I get purchase from you – and I pick it up/living room.
Thanks for that.
Anita
5:17 pm
What?
5:12 pm
Absolutely stunning Hyatt! I too am sending good vibes your way that the jurors will feel, not just see, the emotion that your abstract figures evoke. Great suggestion Anne! We are rooting for you.
5:21 pm
Thanks Denise. Trust you’re still loving your three, one something like these.
7:16 pm
This is your year. Love them all.
8:18 pm
Hyatt:
Your paintings are exceptional and beautiful. I’m praying for whoever is judging your work that their eyes and minds will be open for the beauty of your work. God gave you this talent and I know He is happy that you are using your special gift.
8:35 pm
Beautiful…your paintings are always moving. They have a depth to them.
Susan Morrison
Otter Rock
8:12 am
Oh Wow Hyatt! Beautiful pieces here. Your paintings always evoke a sense of grace. I wish I could paint like that! Good luck my friend.
8:19 am
Thanks Ginney, It was always grace with you in the studio when I was teaching.
11:26 am
It was a privilege to take classes from you. Great instruction and inspiration.
9:55 am
I love Evening Stroll. And that you just imagined the image and colors is all the more inspiring!
12:02 pm
I cannot understand why your wonderful work has not been selected for display at the festival.Let’s hope that they wake up!
12:45 pm
Your work always takes my breath away.
6:32 am
It truly amazes me that your hand can make manifest what your mind’s eye can see! You are a glorious vessel making glorious works for the glory of God and the blessing of man. May the whole world see your works and become inspired to do likewise, making manifest what is good and beautiful!
9:40 am
Thanks, Shell Seeker.
10:57 am
Absolutely Beautiful Hyatt.
3:24 pm
Hyatt this is the year you and Anne will be in the Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts together.
Your brush strokes and use of color and texture is done so beautifully that you don’t need the details.
10:20 am
Evening Stroll is my favorite. Beautiful.
Congrats on another show.