The artist and a new creation greet you. Read on to be introduced to all the others.
Uncaged is a new organization dealing with the world-wide problem of human trafficking. Already well connected with experts and associates in the field they’re making plans to build their first rescue and recovery center in Romania. Next month they’ll host a major fund-raising event at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, California. We were invited but due to conflicting events, are not able to attend. However, I’ve made a number of pieces of art for them which will be on display and help add to the importance of it all. Ultimately they will go to Romania to give the young ladies a gallery to move around in. Perhaps it will aid in their healing and enliven a renewed sense of beauty that’s possible in the world.
As an “extra” to all this, I’ve also produced a custom book featuring the paintings. For your own enjoyment, I’ll share it here in completeness. This, with a commentary on the paintings themselves, beyond what the book conveys.
It’s a hard bound book with dust jacket, 12″x12,” on quality paper, lovingly designed by a veteran book designer (me). I made just two copies, not for production. (See note at the bottom for availability.)
Besides my own photography, creative contribution was made by videographer Ben Moen who spent a day with me last month shooting as I created one of the large works in this book. That’s one of his shots on the right, above.
Title page. The photo is of the one large pieces as it hung temporarily in our living room, the afternoon light coming through a grating making the model seemed “caged” indeed. As with all the pages here, click for a larger view.
Dedication page. For an introduction to the work of Uncaged, click here.
The table of contents, placed over a creative closeup of one of the paintings in process.
People don’t necessarily know that any brush will do when creating a large piece. Here is my brief reflection on the burgeoning crime of our times. (Click to see it better.)
I created four large pieces, in acrylic or oil or both. These will remain unstretched and hung like tapestries until the reach their final destination in Romania.
In the book, each painting is presented in multiple ways. In the smaller photo here, the prison-like impression was noticed through the bars of a stair railing.
A big “section divider,” a photo by the creative eye of Ben Moan.
Sometimes new paintings are made over old backgrounds. I’d had this abstract for some time, just waiting, apparently for its final use. The image on the left is a detail of the same painting, turned on its side.
Implements of creation.
“Still Hope” was the first I made of the series, here rolled out on the floor after taking it off the wall to make room for the next.
The small photo on the left is provided just to give an idea of the scale.
The wonderful shallow depth of field adds real drama to an otherwise mundane mess of paint tubes.
Besides creating eight new works for Uncaged, I also offered a choice of four more that were done earlier. “White Wisps” was one of those chosen. Note in the detail (right) the use of a linocut borrowed from Anne’s trove for her printmaking.
The double meaning of the title is intended. The blight affects all religions, and care is needed everywhere.
Another new piece, intentionally unfinished. Aren’t we all?
It can take a moment to notice the eyes, here charcoaled in on the white canvas before the first swaths of thin paint.
The use of bubble wrap for texture in one of my techniques used occasionally. By the time I kept laying new paint on this one most of the effect was covered over. But it’s still there.
Lips, for me, are among the more challenging part of facial anatomy, but when they succeed, the most satisfying. At right was the end of the day’s work with the videographer.
But in the days that followed I wasn’t quite satisfied with the face so I went over the acrylic with more touch is oil. Still I left that background wash alone, only doable in the water based acrylic.
The effect of the bubble wrap, basically a printmaking effect, likely influenced by Anne and her (more precise) craft.
I can’t remember what was the rationale for the title of this painting. I did it some time back as experiment on canvas pre-textured with pumice jell and corrugated cardboard. Sometimes I think I should do more like this. Thoughts?
The palette knife in an invaluable tool in many of my paintings. If you look close you’ll see the face of the “City Lights” girl featured on the next pages.
Once again, the creative mind of Ben Moen contributes to the dramatic lighting of the artist at his painting. Then there are the artist’s creative flourishes in the detail of the painting’s background at left.
Uncaged, the organization, will not use photos of the actual girls and children being rescued. Paintings like this, of no person in particular, serve a wider purpose.
Knives, like so many implements of battle, the aesthetic battle, which I’m always trying to win.
A painting is as much about design as anything, and color, and texture and judicious use of line.
This is another I’d done some time back, and chosen to be part of the collection for the mood, and all the rest.
I’ve painted Sharon a number of times. Originally named “Sharon at Bougainvillea”because she was standing near such flowers. But I’d long since painted those out and added the simple design repetition behind. So now she’s retitled, “Sharon Uncaged.” Fits, no?
Finally, for last of the large ones (for now) I put up a random color pattern before the charcoal drawing. I wanted each of the large ones to have an at least slightly different style, and this one came out very different.
“The Light has Come” was the name given this one by Kim Westfall, founder and president of Uncaged. And it’s a good word with which to finish this book, and this blog.
One more, the earringed artist, likely trying to figure out what he should do next. It’s always a challenge. In art, you make a mess, then try to figure out how to fix it.
Speaking of “next,” our next trip is India. We’ll fly on Friday, March 15. Who knows what inspiration will come from that?
I mentioned that while the book was created as a personal commemoration, the price if $125 if anybody wants one. $135 with postage. You’ll need to communicate directly with me at moore@hyattmoore.com.
6:00 pm
Dear Hyatt,
The issue of human trafficking is something my heart aches for. Bless you for addressing it and the beauty of
those ‘Uncaged’ in your paintings. The book is inspiring
and will certainly aid in the healing of those who have
fallen victim to the horror of trafficking as one of God’s blessed children.
It is an honor to follow your career and see how God
continues to use your gifts for His glory.
Well done faithful servant.
With love and respect,
Lynn Ray
8:02 pm
The paintings “Still Hope” and “The Light has Come” are both haunting and particularly beautiful. “Meditation in Red” also. I am so glad you did the book. It must be remembered as the story that it is and for the journey it has been. May the Lord of heaven above bless you, Hyatt, for giving your creativity back to his own in this fashion!
9:25 pm
These paintings, the book, speak to deep, deep waters, Hyatt. You have done this topic well, so grateful you’re standing in the gap with a clear message of strength and hope.
9:40 pm
Hyatt, I fought back tears until I couldn’t and just let it flow. I don’t know why but the plight of these women, these children, boys and girls is devastating. I have deliberately sought out as many as I can, on Twitter, on Instagram, of the ones who have escaped ritual abuse, trafficking. They need a voice, to be heard, to be loved, to find boundaries and safe places. They need their outcry to matter. I support ministries that help.
7:15 am
Thank you for bringing more awareness, comfort and value to victims through your arr Hyatt! God has not let this tragedy go on unseen and has put it on the hearts of many of us lately to advocate for modern day slaves!
7:48 am
Awesome work, Hyatt! Thank you for sharing this and for having a heart for the cause.
Blessings,
Gary
9:01 am
What a great reminder that the Lord has greater plans than we can imagine. The Lord has stretched you and Anne around the world with the gifts He has given you!….AND……just realized that you are so much a part of that ministry, even though you’re not there in person……praying for you has the same overtones, although I’m not there in person!! WOW! Keep it up……..letting Him multiply you just seems to multiply your blessings to us all…..(even to us who would never dream all that goes into your beautiful art).
10:10 am
Hyatt, your energy, passion and art continues to amaze us. Paint on maestro.
1:09 pm
No words… they can’t get by the huge hurting lump
in my throat. Thank you for expressing what I so often feel.
God bless you.
Susan Morrison
2:01 pm
This very important issue is good without a doubt to be addressed. However, it brings lots of grief to my heart. It really is depressing. Thank you, Hyatt, for your commitment that is readily seen in your expressive depictions. God continue to bless you abundantly.
2:15 pm
Great project, Hyatt!
9:08 pm
Hyatt
I am speechless. I’m so happy that you are using your talent and influence to bring light to this problem. I love the art you have created. It’s beautiful and poignant.
Nick and I are involved with an emergency shelter in Orange County. I painted a mural along with eleven other women to put in the “intake” room of the shelter. It’s a woman holding a lotus flower ( which grows in dirty water) but it’s a beautiful flower….she is blowing on the flower and the pedals are floating on the wind and slowly turning into beautiful butterflies. She has a tattoo that says hope.
I am touched by your work and your heart….
Always takes my breath away….
10:35 am
Dear Hyatt,
This may be your deepest most meaningful work, of compassion for these lives!! Blessings on you for not ignoring it!
May these precious ones find hope and a new beginning of
freedom……
Barbara M
7:56 am
Hyatt, thank you for doing your part in exposing this horrendous practice that so many are unaware of. I especially loved the quotes, and the eyes of these are so much more intense than any you have done before. God bless you, and may these works of art and inspiration help bring healing to so many, in the mighty name of Jesus.