What kind of music do you listen to while painting?

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Originally Posted by Debra Norton

I listen to the radio too, mostly because I'm at a school and have to use headphones. I usually listen to a classical music station, sometimes jazz, and sometimes contemporary Christian music. Occasionally I listen to a recorded book, but I've noticed I tend to "zone out" and miss parts of it, which makes it kind of confusing.

I love the classicals too, but I have never tried Jazz.
I try it!

[Michele Rushworth]

What I listen to depends on what needs to be done in the studio at the moment and what the speed of the music is.

For painting faces, hands or anything where I need to be sure and paint slowly and carefully it's has to be a CD of all slow songs. There's a series of CD's with titles like "The Most Relaxing Piano Music in the World -- Ever!" There's a 2-CD set for classical, guitar, etc. too. Corny titles, but I can count on the fact that just about every song is slow paced.

Then for canvas stretching, tidying up or painting big simple backgrounds I can play something faster. Anything from Classical to Enya, from African music to Zydeco.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

The music I listen to depends on my mood. When I go through my blue stages the music is heavy and sad, that's when Beethoven comes on.

For mellow pieces my favorites are Aria, Deep Forest Saphire Dreams, Sufi Souls.

But most of the time I play club mixes with an Arabic beat like Beduin Cafe, Louie De Vito, Arabic Lounge, etc. When I listen to music with drum beats I usually start to dance around, which really helps me to loosen up and step away from the easel.

[Allan Rahbek]

Bonfim,

Once, when doing some croquis drawing, the music was some Brazil or Argentine Accordion music that was very incitating. Unfortunately I did not get the musicians name. The music was rather raw and very varied. Maybe you could recommend a good accordion player ?

At another occasion, I attended a croquis session performed by a Budo Dancer. That is a Japanese Art-form and accompanied by Traditional Japanese music. The model will move and hold the pose for a short interval and then move on to another pose and so on ....

Allan

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Thanks everybody for your comments...

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Originally Posted by Allan Rahbek

Bonfim,

Once, when doing some croquis drawing, the music was some Brazil or Argentine Accordion music that was very incitating. Unfortunately I did not get the musicians name. The music was rather raw and very varied. Maybe you could recommend a good accordion player ?

Allan

Allan, there are several kinds of rhythms from these players, the most famous one is "Luiz Gonzaga" and his son "Gonzaguinha" which means "little Gonzaga".
If I remember any other one, I'll let you know buddy!

[Jean Kelly]

A very eclectic mix. Today was Norah Jones, Keb Mo, Candy Dolpher, Debussy, Lyle Lovett, and Kaki King.

It changes every day.

Jean

[Jen Reinstadler]

I almost never listen to music, but I always try to have a book on tape in the cassette player. My studio transforms into "The Garden of Eden." I miss reading (I'm a young mother). And I can stay in the chair and paint much longer if I'm being entertained.

But I must admit, there are certain points in the process where I just can't listen and think at the same time. I also experience the phenomena of looking at a painting I completed long ago and remembering the book I was listening to at the time.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Originally Posted by Enzie Shahmiri

When I listen to music with drum beats I usually start to dance around, which really helps me to loosen up and step away from the easel.

Definitely you cannot stretch canvas with Michele Enzie!

[Carolyn Ortiz]

Michele,

I also like African music. Especially from Mali and Senegal. Not sure exactly what style you like but here are a few I really enjoy. Oumou Sangare, Pape & Cheikh, Orchestra Baobab, and Mamani Keita & Marc Minelli.

Hi Enzie,

I think we would have a lot of fun if we were ever to paint together. Although we'd probably get more dancing done than painting! Love club mixes too, and listen to techno and loungy techno. Thanks for listing the ones you listen to, I will try to find them.

Its a pretty eclectic mix here too. Lots of world music, mostly African and South American, classical, techno, the Beatles, jazz, to Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, and the radio some times too.