Painting & music

[Matthew Severson]

I'm fascinated by the relationship between music and painting.* To me it's more than just background music at the easel, I've read that*both playing and*listening to music, particularly*the works of great*composers*will improve*an artists (painters) skill.* Before I decided to study art I was planing on a career as a concert pianist, and I was delighted to find out that these two skills support eachother!

I was also happy to find that Sargent was an avid pianist.

"Dear Sir,

In answer to your question about Sargent's "musicalness" permit me to jot down in a loose way the various impressions I received of this in the course of many years of my enjoying the privileged of his delightful and generous friendship. I met Mr. Sargent some 35 years ago after a Symphony Concert in Boston where I had played Lalo's "Symphonie Espagnole," a delightful work of which Sargent was very fond.

He came to the Artist room that evening and with that irresistible charm of his said a few words which made one rise in one's self esteem and then arranged for our meeting a few days later at dinner in a mutual friends house. On this delightful occasion Sargent played with me "en petit Comite'" the Symphonie Espagnole in which he revealed himself as the admirable musician which he innately was. He was quite amazing in accompanying The 3rd Movement ("Interme'de") a quite splendid piece of music with rather complicated rhythms in 5/8 time, which he played with complete musical and rhythmical understanding, verve and spirit. In his luminously intelligent manner he spoke of various characteristics of Spanish rhythms in music, quite in the manner in which M. Fdouard Lalo had expounded these intricacies to me in prior years.

That same evening we played the first Sonata by Gabriel Faur

[Mike McCarty]

Thanks Matthew, I appreciate that additional insight.

[John Reidy]

Thank you, Matthew, for posting that very insightful letter.

I can identify with the feel of the music's depths, movements, rushes and solemnity. It used to be that when I created, drew or painted I loved music in the background but found that my art was controlling me. I had to make a concious decision to control my art as best I could.

One of my choices in that pursuit was to abandon music while painting, especially a portrait. When 'art for art's sake' I will always have music as my companion.

John R.
The Knuckle Dragger

[Michele Rushworth]

I use music in my studio to control my pace and energy. If I'm stretching canvas, framing, etc. the music is fast and loud.

If I'm painting (particularly if I'm working any part of the on the face or other critical area) the music has to be slow and quiet so I don't rush.

[Patt Legg]

Hello all,

It has been quite sometime since I have written here but when I read this thread I felt the need to say a few.

I always have my music going when I paint. As for the type of music I have found it varies considerably with the mood that I am in. I love Classic Guitar and Celtic, Patrick Bernhardt and Native American flute and voice of Robert Tree Cody, the oldies and many new of Rod Stewart. Very seldom do I listen to rock of any type not to say that I don't love the music but more for social life of which I do not do like I used to do.

Now Marvin, I know you like your stuff but I do recall a certain time recently at a NC workshop when the tune of "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" created quite a stir and even a dance jig from you. Ha ha

One last mention, I love the oriental soothing meditation sounds and even chants of the Benedictine Monks. (Yea, Marvin I have the one that has the cover designed by you and yet to get your autograph on it.) I have had it for awhile now.

Thumbs up for music at any time. And Wayne, your passion for art and music shines through very well. PS: I just checked out your gallery site and I love your portrait
work.

Patt

[Wayne McMichael]

Thank you, Patt, you sound like someone I could easily be around.

[SB Wang]

Thank you all!

I wish I could listen to all the music played by SOG and Forum members.

[Leslie Bohoss]

Hello!

Here is my find, the foreword of the book , "The Portrait Painter's Problem Book" by Paul C.Burns and Joe Singer. 1979. (out of date, at abebooks.com)

Usually I don't read the forewords but this one was a good fortuity. I hope he has right... (and readable)

Cheers

[Mari DeRuntz]

This is a gem of a thread; not enough on this forum is said of beauty, the sublime.

For Wayne and Linda, here's a beauty of a poem. I came across it recently viewing one of Robert Beverly Hale's taped anatomy lectures at school.

Rudyard Kipling - When Earth's Last Picture is Painted

When earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried,
When the oldest colors have faded and the youngest critic has died,
We shall rest, and, faith we shall need it--lie down for an aeon or two,
And those that were good shall be happy; they shall sit in a golden chair;
They shall splash at a ten league canvas with brushes of comet hair.
They shall find real saints to draw from--Magdalene, Peter, and Paul;
They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all!
And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame;
And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame,
But each for the joy of working, and each in his separate star,
Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They are.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Music, poems, emotion shakers all round, what a way to start the day.