Painting a Song?

I don’t believe there’s a painting I’ve ever completed in which music has not been a huge part of the process.  In fact, when creating some of my paintings, the paintings and the process have almost been entirely dependent on the music since I paint whatever happens to unfold with the songs I play.  It’s a completely intuitive process.  At other times, I paint with a clear image and then set a playlist that matches the image or theme accordingly.  

I’m currently taking an online workshop and in a recent assignment, I had to paint to a piece of music and I had to finish when the song finished.  Now, you want to talk about something being challenging!  That was most definitely it.  Did you know that most songs are generally only 3 - 5 minutes in length?  Go ahead picture me shaking my head.  Painting to music, however, I do this all the time.  Piece of cake.  Right?  It took me four tries with four different songs before I could get out of my head.

I thought I’d share my attempts with you and the song choices.  See if you can figure out which piece matches which piece of music.  As you can see, the four pieces do not look anything alike in the same way that the four pieces of music were not anything alike.   I’ve, also,  included the first couple of lines for each song. 

Sorry, I know this one is totally unfair since I covered over everything I painted with gesso.

           
​            A.  “It’s Quiet Uptown” from Hamilton
                  There are moments that the words don't reach
                  There is suffering too terrible to name

---

Well, there's a couple of things I liked about this one. For instance, I used a hardware store paintbrush.

1.      
2.       B.  “Play It (On the Radio) by At 1980, Josh Dally
3.              Sitting out in the car with you
4.              I feel it in the air

---

I hit shuffle for this one, so I guess you could say the song picked me.

1.  
2.             C.  ”Running to the Future” by Elkie Brooks from                                    the movie Finding My Feet
3.                    And the things that I've been put through
4.                    And everything I've done

---

Pretty sure this could have made a good design for some Jams shorts back in the day. Lol! What were we thinking!

1.       D.  “Simple Gospel” by United Pursuit
2.             I want to know You, Lord
3.             Like I know a friend

---

I want to reiterate the part where I said I had to paint "to a piece of music" not create a painting to a piece of music.  In the spirit of redemptive art, I plan to take the idea behind one of these one of a kind creations to develop further.   I’ll be posting the expressive work of art on social media in the upcoming days.  Look for Tracey Penrod Art on facebook or instagram. 

Answers are below...no peeking.

1. A, 2. C, 3. D, 4. B