The photo: this year at our art-making hiatus in Idaho with new paintings for a new gallery near there. They wanted animals, yet another subject to pursue.
It was 25 years ago today that the vision came over me that I would become a painter. It happened in a moment in time.
I was driving home from work and, waiting for a light to change in Laguna Beach, my eyes wandered over to a gallery window and a large landscape painting. Suddenly a light went on in my mind, “I could do that,” I thought, and then immediately, “I’m going to do that . . . I’m going to become a painter!”
This was all before the light changed. As I moved off with the traffic the other voices sounded, my practical, down-to-earth self, “You can’t do that, you still have kids at home, what about the risk? your position in the kingdom? You already have a job, responsibilities, a role.” But to all that I just said, “I know, I know, but it’s going to happen!” and my energy and enthusiasm soared above every thought that could get in the way.
I didn’t tell Anne about it, not right away. But I remember it was this day, 25 years ago, because the following day was Thanksgiving. With that I had four days off from work; we traveled to my sister’s in San Luis Obispo (half a day away) and for those four days I nurtured that new idea and let it settle deep within me. I was going to become a painter.
That lasted until Monday morning; then reality hit. The responsibilities of my job and role were full time and then some. What I couldn’t get done during the day I took home and worked on in the evening. That’s the way it was in those days; it was not something I minded . . . I loved my job. That was part of the mystery of this new idea: It wasn’t that I’d been looking for something, I was completely content and growing in my field, I was the leader of a team . . . this other would be completely independent, or at least a good deal more so. Would I leave the mission I was part of? I had no plans to (and didn’t for another eight years). But it looked like, for lack of time, I would not be able to pursue this new idea. It began to die . . . and I grieved it.
In time it came to me that I could find an hour a day, if I put the practice into my schedule at a regular time (after dinner) and at a regular place (a card table in the corner of a room) and leave the work out so that I didn’t have to deal with all the setting up and putting away. I could basically just play with the paint. Though I’d long been an artist in other ways, this was something new I had to learn. I was intimidated by a blank canvas; I painted on paper, on pages of a sketchbook, assigning myself exercises to learn one thing at a time. I wished I could go back to school, get another degree, in art (my M.A, was in “leadership”) but there was no time. So I looked at the work of other painters and analyzed their steps. I told myself to not bog down, to not be discouraged by slow progress, or no progress. I told myself to have fun with it. I told myself, “Don’t make paintings, just paint.”
I was doing all this faithfully and loving all I was discovering, including a new sense of the beauty of all things all around us all the time, when my life changed. I was relieved of my position of leadership at my job. That was a shock. I accepted it, though not without an emotional recovery that lingered a long time. One consolation during it all was the thought, “Now maybe I can become a painter.”
But I was still too new at it, I still had much to learn. Friends were impressed when they’d see some painting I’d made, having no idea that was in me at all, and not something they could do; but I knew my level was still low. I could not land a role as a painter in my organization, or anywhere else. Besides, there are no such roles. This field, generally speaking, is populated only by independents.
Like I said, it was eight years before I saw clearly that it was time for the next step of faith and move into painting as a way of life. This was for Anne, too, as she was nurturing her own art at the same time. During those years I was making a lot of paintings, getting better by degrees, selling a little (very little), giving work away. After Anne and I moved back to California (we’d been in British Columbia, Canada for four years) we went to the county office and got a business license. The name, “Moore & Moore Art,” seemed perfectly fitting. And that’s the “business” we’ve been active in, along with all the rest of living, ever since.
For me it’s a third career. (I know nothing about “retirement.”) There’s nothing regular about the income, but sales are sufficient; something always happens. It’s a life of faith. And works. It’s both an income and a ministry, sales and contributions.
For Anne, she’s found a voice that is unique to her, admired and respected in her field. For me, I paint every day, at least part of it, attempting all subjects and all sizes. I expect it to be this way from here on out, and still always learning. In that regard, it’s a gift.
Thanks for reading; I just thought I’d share it here, being 25 years to the day, the day before Thanksgiving, thousands of paintings later, when the vision at the stop light completely surprised me and changed everything.
I’m giving thanks, for all things.
Here’s the announcement for our next show. Can’t come? Check us out online at moore@mooreart.com.
12:34 pm
Great story, Hyatt, and inspiring.
The calling, as it came to Bezalel, was probably not one that he was expecting, but to which he responded with creative zeal. He, too, would be part of a team in furnishing the temple, but it was perhaps his leadership and independent vision that the Lord was considering. You have that, and have responded with all your heart and might to that calling. The Lord must be smiling, as he watches you take your art to the world.
May God abundantly bless you and Anne as you continue following and creating for that vision. Bless you and your family this Thanksgiving.
R
1:29 pm
Loved that! Oh phooey! I’ll be at Marks in Newport Beach tomorrow through next Wednesday, the first! Will be praying for your showings that day!
1:33 pm
Thank you for sharing your story. This painting life was definitely meant for you Hyatt! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
1:59 pm
Hyatt, thank you, thank you!!!! You have been such a blessing to us at Harvest, and to me personally.
2:41 pm
Hyatt, Thank you for sharing about your calling as a painter. I’m not a painter, but I work as a pastor to artists in France. I have followed your blog for quite a few years now and I always look forward to updates on what you are currently doing. Thank you for the years of hard work in obedience to what God has called you to do.
2:48 pm
Thank you for your inspiration, telling your truth and keeping the faith that it is never too late to be a painter, and artist.
3:01 pm
This is just what I needed to hear, (and I suspect others needed it, too). Thank you for sharing your journey. There is much I can learn from the way you taught yourself the skills that you now have. You make me want to get busy doing the work, instead of procrastinating out of fear. Thank you, and a very happy Thanksgiving to you and Anne!
3:39 pm
Congratulations on your anniversary!
My husband Tom and I greatly enjoy your work!
We live in Oregon, and we’re introduced to you and your family through Alicia and Paul Jackson (Paul is my son).
Best Wishes,
Lynne
4:52 pm
So, so good to hear about the “roots” of your art Hyatt and walk down memory lane with you today! Happy 25th!
8:20 pm
Thanks for sharing that part of your journey Hyatt. I am mentoring a young man who wants to excel at art – right now he is sketching … and he is also developing an app that encourages artists to develop their skills. I am going to share your post with him. I am sure it will encourage him.
3:40 am
Dear Hyatt,
Thank you for sharing the vision–and how you partnered with the Lord to fulfill it. I am privileged to have been a tiny part of your story “back then” in your mission, advocating for your MA and receiving your condolences for my own losses in that wonderful mission. The vision the Lord gave to me and Larry is still unfurling, still developing…claiming, “…establish thou the work of our hands…” Blessings as you keep painting!
9:25 am
Hyatt, God put that desire in your heart 25 years ago.
Then He cultivated it. Although I consider you an artist that
paints
7:15 am
Hyatt,
It is good to pause and look back at points where the Lord set up a signpost that changed the direction of your life. Pain is often part of that process but that is also part of our walk in this life. You have been an inspiration to me and to many others as well. God bless you and your family.
12:54 pm
That momentary vision has been a vehicle for blessing in countless lives. Thanks for sharing some of the intimate details of the journey with us.