Music Inspires Me

I'm pretty sure I was born with the heart of an artist. I started taking piano lessons in 2nd grade. This of course turned into daily practice, weekly lessons, hours upon hours of scales and exercises and repeated one hands at a time until I made it through the entire beginner series, recital and theory books.  Second grade seems like so long ago. Because it was. Not only did I play in 2nd grade, but all the way through 3 teachers, and into college where I studied to become a music teacher, band in particular. At a not so focused time in my life along with focusing primarily on playing the flute, the piano was a background notion to the pricey lessons and favoritism shown by certain flute professor. 

In the long run in worked out because I am not a music teacher, nor a band director, I sold the flute but happily have my childhood piano in my home. I took out a box of music that has been packed up for at least 8 years and was able to sight read and play it so well, that my fingers would keep moving and my eyes would lose their place on the page. What does it mean today? It means I can play by ear as well. I can pick up a background song in a show I like and figure it out. I can bust out a 21-Pilots song from the Suicide Squad movie and at the same time pound the keys into submission with some Bach, or Rachmaninoff, or anything similar to it. It's fantastic. 

So I did this the other night for a few hours non stop. It was amazing, and freeing, and exhilarating at the same time.  What ensued was this journal page of wildly inspired bright colors and lots of white. Brushes in both hands and a freedom and happiness that has been lost for some time. Truly an original artwork by me, unprompted, except of course by the sound of music. 

Is it Too Early For Halloween????

I LOVE fall/autumn. It is my favorite season and time of year, probably because it was in October, the month that I was born is a little known holiday called HALLOWEEN! I like to draw unusual and dark things as well as the bright and sunny. I am however taking a little break from drawing the "mixed media girl faces" that are common in lots of works.  I was inspired to create this very cheery background and didn't know what I wanted to use it for. The rub on numbers are transfers from Tim Holtz, and I have no idea what I'm going to use them for now that they are permanently affixed to my page.

As a juxtaposition of colors and ideas, I sourced a vintage witch halloween mask for my "girl" on this layout. I was intending to draw a mask with a persons eyes showing through as if they were actually wearing it. Nope. The colors did not work for me in that way, and I kinda just forgot.

I'm going to affectionately call this one "What's up Witches!"

Prior to this drawing I was inspired by a friend's photograph to sketch a character from our Experience Music Project (EMP) Museum in Seattle. I have never been and now I don't know really why not.  Anyhow my sketch is this shell of a guy, (aka Jess' boyfriend), also made it into my journal. I need things that are different and challenging, and interesting to my brain to keep my art up to par.

For the Love of Art and my Sanity!!!

For the love of art...I am contemplating Reflections..which is a PTA program ...again. ONLY because it is an outlet to do art with kids. It is a lot of work, and I would prob handle it differently. I am not the PTA president along side it as I was doing all of the other events as well. I just think art is so important and no-one is stepping up for it. BUT>>> I do not want to turn into the stressed anger raging B*$ch that it turned me into last year taking away time from my kiddo and family. SO...do I just help at random when I feel like it (because it might not be a program at all)..or do I bite the bullet an do it because I love art so dang much?? I am going to be an art docent already at the school of a previous teacher so I have an art outlet there..I am a lousy bystander and outsider watcher...Am I a "Yes" girl or a no, I need to focus on my sons year and academics and just take the easy road and learn to say no and walk away.??? (I think my husband would disown me if I said yes again..but it's not really his decision)...torn..(like a piece of distressed art paper) lol!