Art and Music

I'm often asked if I listen to music when I'm painting and if so, what kind. I always listen to music when I'm painting and my selections are greatly varied. I've heard that smells are the strongest triggers of memory. If that's true, I'd have to say that music runs a close second. I can't begin to imagine my life without it.

Fortunately, most of my memories triggered by music are happy, joyful memories. When I hear Chubby Checker's, "The Twist", I am whisked back in time to our tiny apartment and playing my toy piano. The Moody Blue's, "Tuesday Afternoon", takes me back to my pre-teens and memories of crisp, cool country air and the first warm sunny days of spring. When I hear music from "The Nutcracker", I am filled with warm memories of being in the kitchen late night with Mom as she made special Christmas candies and cakes. There are songs and music that trigger memories of every friend and relationship I ever had, and every memorable experience I've ever had comes complete with it's own musical score.




So, when I paint I'm pretty particular about the music I'm listening to. Often times, I pick theme related music. I recently painted a large banner that was a tribute to some of the artists that have had a great influence on me. I listened to Latin music when I worked on Frida Kahlo and Picasso. When I was working on Monet and VanGogh, I listened to classical music. When I painted Basquiat, the choice was jazz.

No matter what I'm painting, I select my music with the same consideration I give to my paints and subject matter. Sometimes I select music to enhance my mood, at other times music may be selected to alter my mood. Music has and always will be an integral part of my life and a necessity in the creation of my art.