“The unexamined life is not worth living.” So said Socrates, and here’s ours. Not a complete examination, perhaps, as no reverses are included, nor introspections. But it is an overview of activities and “progress” of the last 12 months, and examined enough to make it indeed “worth living.”  We’re grateful for all.

Annual Report cover photo: A summertime Happy Face, symbolic for a year well spent.

A FEW NUMBERS:

Hyatt:

Created 75 new paintings.

Sold 56 paintings (from this year’s efforts and earlier).

Contributed 38 paintings to 24 international missions organizations.

Anne:

Created many works of art, either finished or in process.

Saw her work featured on a new line of clothing as well as in a fine magazine on calligraphy.

Recognized and followed by over 400 people on Pinterest having “Anne Moore boards.”

In sales, her best year yet.

Together:

Realized an adequate income from our art (a good thing, as we don’t use the “r” word).

Some, not all, of the oversized paintings made this year. (For this, and all, click to enlarge.)

A few of the paintings contributed to the walls of Christian mission organizations.

Just a few uses of Anne’s art on fashionable women’s wear. For review click here.

Part of the feature of Anne’s work in Letter Arts Review, see more here.

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FAMILY

Having five children and 16 grandchildren scattered around the country, Anne made various trips to Kansas City, Chicago and Salinas, California. Additionally, both of us made visits to Chicago and Seattle.

Anne went to Phoenix for four-day Mother and Daughters retreat and getaway, highly praised by all (photo below).

We hosted our traditional, multi-day siblings reunion for Hyatt’s side . . . five siblings flying in, plus spouses, all enjoying each other’s company (photo below).

For Anne’s side, we hosted the annual siblings and cousins luncheon and catch-up.

Anne and I enjoyed semi-regular dinner dates . . . and road trips.

We celebrated grandson Maki’s high school graduation (photo below). Also held a weekly one-on-one Scriptural orientation with Maki, with great dinner following by Anne.

The daughters: Acacia (Chicago), Allison (San Clemente, CA). Anne, Tamara (Kansas City), Cambria (Seattle) and Nicole (Salinas, CA).

Maki and his proud sister, Justine, with Allison. Their father, Vernon, who we lost three years ago, would have been pleased.

Brother Steve, sisters Lynnel, Sue, and Lori and me (oldest), with our spouses, gathered at the house where we grew up in Palos Verdes, all still married to our first loves.

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MAJOR TRAVELS

In March, India—Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and many villages—to support Bible translation and to experience a new place.

In September, two weeks in Maine and Vermont, with a cross-border venture into Montreal.

(Photos below.)

Anne symbolically presents a New Testament to the main translator and team. We were privileged to be part of the funding of this nine-language translation effort that was many years in the doing.

We did our share of touring, like here on the Ganges River.

The Maine trip was just for us, a place we’d long thought about going, and finally did.

A bridge designed by a boat builder in Bridgton, Maine, where we, practically without notice, dropped in on friends (and stayed the night).

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PRODUCTION

Art-making in Midpines, California (near Yosemite) for two weeks in June.

For Anne, there were also dedicated weeks of in-studio time in January, May and October.

Hyatt continued in-studio time more or less every afternoon, ever exploring.

Also, began teaching in the studio again.

As we do on these get-aways, we brought our art-making gear to Midpines, including Anne’s heavy press—and a big sheet of plywood as an “easel” for me, shown behind. The house was offered by friends Jeff and Cathy Girard, having beautiful scenery around, but our hours were mostly inside, focused on the work—the joy and the challenge. 

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RESTORATION

In February, a multi-day getaway in Ojai, a favorite nearby oasis, this time for our 53rd anniversary.

Our room at the Blue Iguana in Ojai. Or was this one the year before that? Or before that? And that, and that, and that?

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OUTREACH

Had a presence and did public paintings at three multi-day events at major hotels:

The Grand Del Mar, California, with International Cooperating Ministries, April (photo below).

The Ritz-Carlton, Amalia Island, Florida, participating with Seed Company in Bible translation, April (photo below).

The Ojai Valley Inn, California, for IllumiNations, a ten-organization cooperative for Bible translation, October (photo below).

Public speaking and art at Loma Linda University (Apr), Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Jun), Open Doors International, (Aug), and Laguna Outreach for Community Arts, both of us (Feb).

Hosted a “Creative Life” evening featuring artist Lyn Hiner.

In Del Mar, a group-participatory painting where guests added the rice stalks with their fingers. The finished product was then printed and presented to all as gifts.

In Florida, besides a large painting done during the conference, having time and an extra scrap of canvas, I did a quickie of one of the international guests and speakers, a Rendilli tribesman from Kenya.

In Ojai, a second time this year, over the four-day event Anne and I worked together (a first) creating a large collage. 

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GALLERIES AND SHOWS

Anne continued at Sandstone Gallery in Laguna Beach, California.

Anne featured at the summer-long Festival of Arts in Laguna (her eighth year).

Hyatt discontinued at Sandstone Gallery after six years.

Both also discontinued at Westervelt’s Fine Arts, which closed its doors.

Hyatt entered a new gallery in Laguna, Kelsy-Michaels.

Anne featured in show at Christ Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, California (photo below).

Both hosted the ever-popular two-day Studio Shows at the house, spring and fall.

Anne in Santa Barbara answering questions from admiring guests.

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BOOKS

A dozen or so books read by each of us.

Produced three new personal coffee table books:

India 2019 (See here.)

Uncaged, Twelve Paintings and the Process of their Making (photo below).

Burano 2015 (to be featured in a future blog).

A spread from the 12×12 inch book, Uncaged, of which just two were produced. The paintings, and the book, were done for an anti-trafficking ministry—and my ministry to them. For a fuller look see here.

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FRIENDS

Continued regular meetings for coffee or walks with long-time friends.

Hyatt’s annual “Walk-n-talk in the Desert” with Mike Evans (24^th year).

Hosted our weekly 16-member Community Group, with monthly pot-lucks and always great fellowship.

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HOUSE GUESTS

Various family members and friends stayed with us overnight, or for days at a time . . . or weeks.

Granddaughters Ariana Cutsforth of Kansas City and Fiona Bergin of Chicago spent a week with us at Anne’s invitation (and new tradition for any graduating from eighth grade). Here they’re laying the ground work for a painting (to be completed later by me).

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HEALTH

May: Eye surgery for Hyatt, successful repair of macular hole.

Jan. and June: Cortisone treatment for Hyatt’s right shoulder (from much overhead painting).

Anne again earned a t-shirt for 150 Jazzersize workout sessions for the year.

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MISC.

Installed solar panels on rear-facing roof.

Began and discontinued an experimental marketing foray with an old friend and professional in the field. (Not every sign says, “Go.”)

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ENJOYMENT OF LIFE

With friends, family, church, creative work, travels, reading, watching, morning quiet times, and just time with each other, it was another good year in a series. Each a gift of God.

One more: From our trip to Chicago in September to watch the children of Mark and (daughter) Acacia Bergin. Angels, of course, here greeting us, long in advance, with a “Happy New Year.”

We wish the same to you.