Take Five (and all that Jazz)

(2020-2022)

gouache on paper and canvas

During a time of great sadness in my life, I turned my paintbrush to the classic Jazz Masters for a meditative escape. They brought me comfort and harmony outside of my grief. As long as I was listening and painting to their sounds, I felt free from sorrow. 

I found myself capturing a different abstract scene with each piece of music - from John Coltrane to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis to Wes Montgomery, Thelonius Monk to Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker to Paul Desmond and more. 

Their notes and rhythms inspired me to paint loosely and lively with the bright vivid colors of Holbein gouache on watercolor paper or with black boards depicting lights glowing through the dark. Each of my works responded to a piece of music and became it's own story. My images developed from imagination and instinct, letting the music inform my colors, strokes, and shapes.

I was also inspired by abstract expressionism and synesthesia - combining the senses of sight and sound into one unified composition. As the series progressed. I added some Kandinsky-inspired geometry and line in my playful compositions. And sometimes I added houses and people who I imagined moving to the songs.

Please note I take commissions where I will customize a piece of art to your choice of music, shapes and colors.