Jamming to Create!

Music and Art are very closely tied together…especially for me! I was raised to love music from my Dad singing Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers and my Mom keeping an album on the record player continually. A few of our favorites were the Jungle Book, Paint Your Wagon, Simon and Garfunkel to name just a few. My Grandparents as well made sure we experienced the Lawrence Welk Show each Saturday that we were visiting. Yes, we did pretend to be Bobby and Sissy, the dancers, as we listened to it. My sisters and I “punished” our two brothers and made them participate in our dance adventures. Our exposure to music was intentionally very diverse as we listened to everything from musicals to contemporary folk music.

Each of my siblings and I played instruments in the marching, concert and jazz bands. My instrument was the trombone. I have to say I don’t think I have ever revealed why the trombone. I was completely intrigued with the slide and thought as a child that the tube must actually go down your throat, after all where else would it go?!?! Isn’t that what everyone thought??? Okay, now from experience I can assure you that it does not go down your throat. We were gifted with some of the best band directors, at Pella Community High School in Pella, Iowa, with Guy Blair and Dick Redmond. My siblings and I all have amazing memories that will last us a lifetime of our time in band.

Now that you know where my love for music and the arts comes from I want to assure you that my listening list in the studio is as diverse as that I was introduced to as a child. I have to say Johnny Cash will always be one of my favorites as he carries so many memories. Along with him I also have a passion for The Highway Women, Celtic Thunder, Bob Dylan, The High Kings, Bruce Springsteen, Vienna Tang, Seane Keane, Alabama Shakes, Audra Day, Jon Batiste and anything else that inspires me. I so enjoy music and the way it can carry you to another place or simply soothe you during a tough time or a celebration.

I have to be honest I do love to listen to my music LOUD. Very seldom do I think that the music is better soft…does anyone?!? This has been challenged during this time of quarantine and my husband doing his NASA work from a bedroom next to my studio. I am guessing this new rocket will dance a little more than the others due to music being inserted into its creation.

I find the words and the ups and downs of the music to be very instrumental in my brushstrokes and colors that I choose. The feelings are so wonderfully translated to art. I feel a warm hug when choosing those warm rusts and luscious landscapes with big skies. Those skies are like a crescendo in a song that are a crowning glory. Always remember to look high up in the sky and see the colors and the gentle breezes that bring life to all of this planet.

Please keep the music playing!