Painting & music
 

Painting and music are sisters, although both has close friend: architecture is called fixed music; painting is closely related with poetry.

A man after my own heart. Music is art. There are so many analogies, harmony, composition, passion, contrast, tension, resolve, theme, we all appreciate harmony in visual art but our art should have a melody as well. Music is my first love, my passion, painting is just easy.

I'm glad I can make money with my art and use my music to express my love, fear, desire, pain and joy. Music is a spontaneous art form. I tend to lean toward soulful, creative things. Juggling may make me smile, but when I see an artist pouring his soul into his art, it evokes a deeper emotion, even if it's not entertaining.

I think it's the soul connection that separates art from entertainment. Art, music, poetry spring from the soul like a fountain of emotion. When I play, I imagine I'm painting sound, a sonic artist. I could go on for hours about this.

Nothing helps my visual composition any more than music. Visual art is the oldest record we have of human thought, dated at over 70,000 years. It is a window to the soul and an outlet for chasing away our ghosts, retrieving our shadow, our baggage. It is the first thing we need in our schools and the last thing we should discard from it.

If culture could learn to express our fears, anger, love through art, music, poetry, we would all be the better for it. It might have the power to stop a war. Artistic expression (art, music, poetry) not only is evidence of human thought, it inspires, encourages human thought, it enlightens those who feel its passion, experience its uniqueness, and enlightened people create a better world around them and society benefits from it. Nothing is more important.

The creation process is responsible for everything else. Art is greater than science, science is greater than philosophy and philosophy is greater than opinion. Want a better life?... then recreate your self by creating your environment around you. Be art, do art, love art, free the artist.

I often listen to music while I paint, I like some classical, folk and rock music.

The music I listen to and enjoy the most while painting is the stuff I loved as a kid. I still listen to the Beatles and Paul McCartney. The Beatles really produced some quality music, for me their songs never get old.:)

Wayne,

That was beautifully written. Thank you.

SB,

Since I'm guilty of posting a lot of poetry on this Forum, I appreciate your comments.

The most pleasureable part of painting for me is the wonderful music I listen to while I paint. I used to play fingerstyle guitar but realized that it was taking me away from my easel and if I wanted to be serious about one or the other I would have to make a choice.

Being that I am more naturally suited for painting I chose art. Now I have the best of both possible worlds. I listen to Leo Kottke and Bill Mize.

I have always enjoyed having music as my muse. Thirty years plus ago, when I first came to NY to start my career as an illustrator, I finagled my way into seeing Frank Zappa backstage at Carnagie Hall so I could show him my drawings between performances.

While he and his bandmates passed my drawings around, I mentioned that I was playing his album "Hot Rats" continuously while I worked on my illustrations. His reply was, "It's a great honor to be the wallpaper behind your creativity."

Since then I've always considered the music I play to be an integril part of my art. That night he comissioned me to do an album cover for him, "Waka/jawaka" sometimes refered to as "Hot Rats II"

Music, muse, amusement,... it seems music is more related to emotional mood, more powerful than a painting. When we recall a past time, it is the song or music of that time firstly enter our mind, less likely a painting. Music cures, painting too, maybe not portrait painting for the struggling artists. Why paint, just a word play, is similar to the word--pain? To be relieved from pain, we painters need music.

When besieged for three years, heroic Leningrad residents could live with little food but not without music.
When Sargent paints, he hums; when he takes a break, he plays piano.
A Chinese artist creates a lyric for his painting, for which to be imbued with the music.

In the immortal words of Ziggy Marley, "When the lights gone out, and the food run out, all we have is the music."

Hi Henry, I have Dish satellite with all the music channels. It

music in the head
 

Hi -

For myself, I can't work with music going on in the background. I seem to have an orchestra playing in my mind already and it won't brook competition!

Every person I paint seems to have their own music. Some have been Debussy, Robert Randolph and the Family Band (sacred steel), John Lange, Hot Tuna, Willy Nelson, Ravel, Janis Joplin, Native American flute etc. My current one, "Steve" is mainly Leo Kottke. I can go on and on, but the point is that I must have music when I paint. It is as necessary as the air I breathe.

Jean

:) Hello all,

It has been quite sometime since I have written here but when I read this thread I felt the need to say a few.

I always have my music going when I paint. As for the type of music I have found it varies considerably with the mood that I am in. I love Classic Guitar and Celtic, Patrick Bernhardt and Native American flute and voice of Robert Tree Cody, the oldies and many new of Rod Stewart. Very seldom do I listen to rock of any type not to say that I don't love the music but more for social life of which I do not do like I used to do.

Now Marvin, I know you like your stuff but I do recall a certain time recently at a NC workshop when the tune of "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" created quite a stir and even a dance jig from you. Ha ha ;)

One last mention, I love the oriental soothing meditation sounds and even chants of the Benedictine Monks. (Yea, Marvin I have the one that has the cover designed by you and yet to get your autograph on it.) I have had it for awhile now.

:thumbsup: Thumbs up for music at any time. And Wayne, your passion for art and music shines through very well. PS: I just checked out your gallery site and I love your portrait
work. ;) :thumbsup:

Patt

Thank you, Patt, you sound like someone I could easily be around. :)

Thank you all!

I wish I could listen to all the music played by SOG and Forum members.

Hello!

Here is my find, the foreword of the book , "The Portrait Painter's Problem Book" by Paul C.Burns and Joe Singer. 1979. (out of date, at abebooks.com)

Usually I don't read the forewords but this one was a good fortuity. I hope he has right... (and readable)

Cheers

This is a gem of a thread; not enough on this forum is said of beauty, the sublime.

For Wayne and Linda, here's a beauty of a poem. I came across it recently viewing one of Robert Beverly Hale's taped anatomy lectures at school.

Rudyard Kipling - When Earth's Last Picture is Painted

When earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried,
When the oldest colors have faded and the youngest critic has died,
We shall rest, and, faith we shall need it--lie down for an aeon or two,
And those that were good shall be happy; they shall sit in a golden chair;
They shall splash at a ten league canvas with brushes of comet hair.
They shall find real saints to draw from--Magdalene, Peter, and Paul;
They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all!
And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame;
And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame,
But each for the joy of working, and each in his separate star,
Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They are.

A great Start to the Day!
 

Music, poems, emotion shakers all round, what a way to start the day.

What is the relationship of color and music?

Music--a healing power, HOW?

Why is that Sargent been more talked than Ingres? Is that anything to do with music?

Why does music make us thrill, not painting?

How many senses are there by which stimuli from outside or inside the body are received and felt? Which is in the first place and why?

Please find the corelation between a principle of design and a piece of music? :?

Music as an art piece!
 

When I first started to paint, I thought, "How could a deaf person hear a beautiful piece of music, say a symphony by Vivadi or similar? " If they can't hear it, will they always be without the intense emotion a magical piece of music can make them feel and even bring tears to their eyes? Why should deaf people miss out? So I decided to do a painting of music. I had several colours in front of me, got in the zone, turned the music up, put the headphones on and went for it.

I painted by emotions and by the movement of the music, light colours for light music tones , dark for deep etc. I thought the finished piece was well done, and I felt I accomplished what I set out to do. Allow a deaf person to see beautiful music. Maybe one day I will do another.

Footnote: Yes, quality music goes right through me, the sensations are magical. A good healer also.

Man that's KOOL, but, w-w-w-where is it?

Synesthesia
 

Synesthesia is the term for "seeing" music, tasting colors, smelling sound. The senses become mixed into one vast symphony.

Certain aromas have "colors" to me. It is theory that at one time primitive brains had all the senses mixed and in the same area of the brain. As we evolved, the senses become more "specialized", and we lost something very special. The ability to see sound, taste color etc. Some people are lucky enough to have retained that ability. I believe artists and musicians have a connection to this ancient gift.

Jean

ps Ngiare, I've painted music too, but I put it in a quilt. I'll see if I can get a photo of it.

Synesthesia
 

So there is a name for it, how about that! Jean, I would love to see a photo.

I thought at the time it was a different thing to do, but when I did it, it belonged. Wayne, I sold the painting for a just a couple of dollars, I didn't have much knowledge when I started and the photo I took does not do it justice it was taken at an angle and too far away. I will try and find another one. It was called "Celestial Symphony" I will show you the next one I do.

Synesthesia
 

Here's a great book on the subject - it's a physical condition some folks have. Most have learned to hide it when people react to them as weird. After I read this book, I found out some relations have synesthesia.

"The Man who Tasted Shapes : a bizarre medical mystery offers revolutionary insights into emotions, reasoning and consciousness", by Ricfhard E. Cytowak

Music as Colours
 

Julie thanks for the book info. I am curious, is there an actual reference in the book as seeing music in colours?

There is a place in Tulsa called "Cain's Ballroom." "The Cain" was originally built as a garage for one of the cities founders back in 1924. To say this place has history, well trust me, it does.

From Roy Rogers to the Sex Pistols, Tex Ritter and Eddie Arnold played here. Someone once threw a burning bible on stage during a Marilyn Manson concert. Ernest Tubb, Tennessee Ernie Ford all did The Cain.

On Feb. 9, 1934, Bob Wills and the Light Crust Doughboys (later dubbed the Texas Playboys) played their first regular broadcast concert

Music/Colors
 

Hi Nagaire-

It's been a while since I've read the book. I remember more detailed commentary about color/taste/texture mixing, but I do remember some commentary on the mixing of colors and sounds too. There was some interesting historical info on artists working to come up with a system for matching colors and sounds (it was as individual as each artist, so no it didn't work out).

An example of color/texture synthesis, the person in my extended family with it reports each color she sees as having a literal feel to it. She learned as a young child to not talk about it. Even her mother thought she was just imagining things.

Or an example of a person quoted in the book, said while cooking, "This sauce needs more points."

Interesting, and much more than how I think about colors and music. I like to compare the two, but some folks actually physically synthesize the two. It would be interesting to learn if some others of our members have this, and how it has helped them as artists. The family member I mentioned is an artist, and a very successful one.

I read the same book Julie, like you a long time ago. I don't recall colors and sound as part of the spectrum, but its always been like that for me. I once went to a meditation group that used Eastern music to assist your trance. As I meditated with the group I saw a huge twisting saw blade approaching me, writhing and snaking it's way through the air. I left, and haven't been back.

Current research has shown that the brains of people with this gift (or curse) are organized differently. PET images show that areas of the brain not associated with taste or smell etc. are lit up when stimulated by aromas etc. Possibly this is a primitive survival mechanism.

Back to one of Scubert's riddles. How many senses
are there and which was the first? Answer, all of them!

jean

Little Chopin, 10, was regularlly asked to play piano for a nobelman who suffered severe pain. It cures, yet only Chopin can.
Should we regard our art works as a healing tool? Thinking your client is a patient, being or enduring pain, you are a doctor with painting brushes--you paint to relieve pain. If not, you would be complained; if yes, you will be payed, the word pay is originated from : to ease pain.

Mike I've been a Dylan fan for years, in fact I purchased that Self Portrait album when it was first released back in the seventies.

I'm sure glad that Dylan continued to paint his pictures with poetic lyrics and music, rather than a paint brush.;)

Henry,

I think he made the right call.

I caught a lucky break. My daughters play runs for two nights. So, I can see the opening of her play on Friday, and then see Bob on Saturday night. Unfortunately, my daughter won't be able to go, she will be playing Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother.

I'm a simi, quasi, mostly bogus harmonica player and Bob can really play when he sets his mind to it, so I'm looking forward to the evening, especially in such a small venue.

Just a saying!
 

When we pay attention to nature's music, we find that everything on the earth contributes to its harmony. HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN

Here is one for you Mike!
 

In writing songs, I've learned as much from Cezanne as I have from Woody Guthrie. BOB DYLAN

Ngaire,

That quote makes sense to me. I see much similarity in writing, painting and music. This further explains Bob's self portrait.

Wayne:
You have a companion who is on American Artist magazine, Dec. 2003, The Music of Painting.
You also have a dancing partner, Asaro, who dances with light and color. :)

Quotations about music
http://www.painterskeys.com/getquote...=lp&ID=191#top

Painting and music are sisters, although both has close friend: Architecture in general is frozen music. (Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling) jb; painting is closely related with poetry.

Enjoy Chinese music/songs

http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/multimedia/chinese-music/

Cain's Ballroom?
 

Mike M.

How do you know about Cain's?

I am originally from Tulsa and couldn't believe your post. Growing up in Tulsa, I was aware of Cain's and its reputation but I haven't thought of it in years.

Let me know how the concert goes. I still have a brother and several good friends in Tulsa as well.

In regards to this thread I am a Knuckle dragger. I found that I couldn't concentrate with my favorite music and no noise is bleak. I usually paint with the TV on in the other room. I can't hear enough to know what's going on but it helps create some noise and comforts me.

It also allows me to walk away from the painting and focus on something else for a few minutes and refreshen my approach and goals.

John

John,

When I made that post I lived in Tulsa. I've only been in Florida for three months. I just clicked on the Cain's web site and saw that Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame will be there March 11. Tickets on sale Jan. 15. They have had some amazing acts over the years.

How long did you live in Tulsa? I've been away for about 20 years now.

I moved to Tulsa in 1980.