Inspiration
I am open to inspiration from any source: travel, dreams, everyday life. Below I have created slideshows of the source of inspiration for several of my series. Where does your inspiration come from?
Boathouses
I love the mystery of the boathouse as implied by the splash. Who was here? We've just missed something, but are also rewarded by the resultant splash. Boathouse, Diptych, 54" X 76", Acrylic on Canvas, Image #508
My brother DJ rowing me out to see the boathouse up close
The original source of inspiration for my Boathouse paintings. The structure has been falling into the lake since I first saw it over 25 years ago in a place where my family vacations together. Its dilapidation makes it more open to interpretation.
The paintings don't look anything like the original source. They are dreams about experience, based on a loved reality. Someone Dreams the Same Dream, Acrylic on Cradled Wood, 11 3/4" X 11 3/4", Image #608.
Tether Series
Mongolian horsemen tying packs to one of the horses. China is behind the mountains on the left side.
This drawing was created by looking only at the rope and knots the horsemen created to hold the load in place on the horse. Pack, 30" X 22", Graphite on Paper, Image #565 SOLD
Saddle, 30" X 22", Conte & Ink on Paper, Image #560
Pi, 30" X 22", Conte & Graphite on Paper, Image #590
Tether, #1, 30" X 22", Conte & Ink on Paper, Image #559
In Mongolia with my friend and guide, whom I named 'Pi' after his brand. The Mongolians do not name their horses.
One of the Mongolian horseman's horses, taking a break with his more traditional saddle.
Travel: Sketching and Painting on Site
When I travel, near or far, I draw. Through my current body of work, I have realized that the process of drawing and sketching is the way I experience the world, how I translate it into a form I can understand and deal with. Below are images of me working on site.
White Stallion Ranch. Photo John Hyden.
Skopelos, Greece. Photo John Hyden
White Stallion Ranch. Photo John Hyden.
Ranch cemetery, Tucson, AZ. Photo John Hyden.
Washington, DC. Photo John Hyden.
White Stallion Ranch. Photo John Hyden.
Skopelos, Greece. Photo John Hyden
White Stallion Ranch. Photo John Hyden.
Ranch cemetery, Tucson, AZ. Photo John Hyden.
Ranch cemetery, Tucson, AZ. Photo John Hyden.
Skopelos, Greece. Photo John Hyden
Wyoming.
With assistance from Oakley. Texas. Photo Nita Gilger.
Skopelos, Greece. Photo John Hyden
Zion National Park, Utah. Photo John Hyden.