Starting A Series #2

Left, Getz 24 x 20", Right, Love and Happiness 24 x 20"


While color is my reason for making art, looking at art and just about everything else, on occasion, my greatest motivator is music.

In my studio I have a 5-disk cd player. I had been doodling and spinning in my desk chair for (many) days. I told myself that I would be inspired by the next song. I fully expected the random selection to bring up a classical piece, a French accordion song, or a jazz standard, but no. The winning song was Al Green’s “Love and Happiness”. I began sketching moments later. Soon (meaning 3 days) the piece was close to completion and I was able to listen to something else. It used to be my favorite Al Green song, but has, at least temporarily, dropped to the bottom of the list. “Can’t Get Next to You” inspired the next piece in the series. Stan Getz and Luiz Bonfa’s “Jazz Samba Encore” inspired the next two pieces “Getz” and “Luiz”.

For me, inspiration can't be searched for. I can't over think it. I just have to remember to make a note of it when it happens. I wish I could train myself to keep a journal. My fear then is that I would have too much to choose from.