Friends in Anchorage commissioned me to make a big painting featuring five nationalities. When I finished and shipped it, they invited me to come to Alaska and be part of the presentation.
I suggested painting children, always winning models for a painting. With research I selected best photos to paint from.
The first step, after finding photos is the charcoal sketch. Left to right, it’s an Australian Aborigine, a girl from Burkina Faso, from India, an Alaskan Inuit, and a girl from Thailand.
The next step is stretching canvas on a big sheet of plywood constructed for the purpose (hidden here, under the canvas.
Then it was a matter of getting rid of all the canvas white, here applying fluid acrylic paint with a roller.
The canvas covered with color, I projected my initial sketch onto the canvas and charcoaled the faces again, this time to size.
A moment of evaluation of progress.
Further fine-tuning, a palette and paint ready to go, using a full side of my garage as a studio.
Here’s progress about three-quarters along. Note that it’s all about the same stage of completion, which is my way, rather than completely finishing one figure before moving onto the next.
One more thing: I was asked to include wording on the painting. With that, the painting was complete. I took the canvas off the staples, rolled it up and shipped it to Anchorage. They then took it to a framer to get it stretched on stretcher bars. (Click on it for a large view.)
I was inited “last minute” that I would be invited to come and be part of the presentation at Muldoon Community Assembly church. By the next day the painting was hanging in their main auditorium (along with ten others large pieces of mine from earlier times–a beautiful array).
The the occasion for big painting was the retiring of the founding pastor (after 40 years). What with the painting being too large for a home, we had canvas prints made for personal use.
It was all deemed a huge success.
PS Knowing that for a long time the pastor thought a painting of their city would be wonderfully appropriate for the church, the idea came to me that this would be the time to do it. So I painted it and brought it with me–another surprise for all.
The painting, “Anchorage from the Sea,” was dropped down from the roll to the acclaim of all. It’ll be stretched and hung soon in the church.
PPS Our next show at the house is coming up November 11 and 12. Watch for more announcements about that here.
5:19 pm
I’m moved to worship by Five International Children, and the wording is perfect. Thanks for sharing Hyatt.
5:31 pm
Still at the top of your game! Breathtaking!
5:32 pm
So beautiful and creative, I bet the photos don’t do it justice.
6:15 pm
What a wonderful and thoughtful experience. Your talent is so very much appreciated everywhere you go! Congratulations on another great accomplishment!
6:36 pm
So thrilled to see how the Lord answers my intentional prayers…..AND I do LOVE my Alaska…so thrilled you are a part of it!!!
8:52 pm
Cool story!
2:18 am
Very special project Hyatt – faces of the children are so unique – love the view of Anchorage!
12:30 pm
Hi Hyatt!
I loved seeing your amazing process of painting a huge piece!
Your talent is God Given!!! I have always marveled at your ability to capture faces!!! Just Beautiful!! I also love the mountains in
your gift to your friend!! To think he gets to enjoy that every day!!!!! Hello to Anne! Barbara
7:56 am
Awesome! And what a great picture. It reminded me of my experience in an Orthodox church that had walls covered with pictures of Saints to remind worshippers that they were alive and in eternal worship. Your painting brings to mind the verse: Suffer the little children…. Worshiping with that reminder each Sunday! Thanks for sharing. Francis
12:52 pm
Hyatt,
Great job. I certainly like it.
Scott
3:46 am
I stand amazed at the talent the Lord has given you and how you use it!!! It certainly blesses many and gets our focus on Him!!!