Painting Birds to Music

A few years ago, during the depth of winter, I decided that I needed a project that brought color into my life. I set up a task to do six canvases, 18” x 24”,  each with a different color. At this time I was listening to lectures from the The Great Courses on classical composers.

I set up my palette and let the music be my inspiration as I listened and played with variations of brush strokes and color tones. My intent was to create abstract compositions but images seemed to peek out in the form of birds, so I continued to develop them.

Liszt was the inspiration for the cranes, with their graceful lines and swooping movements. While painting to Tchaikovsky, I recalled a visit to Jackson Harbor one spring, where the swans were swimming in the melting ice. The nordic composer Grieg, inspired the snowy owl painting. Mozart brought out the image of trees in blossom with black birds. Beethoven’s music, dramatic and passionate, reminded me of the silhouette of the peacock and my life in Florida.

The paintings were on display at the Art and Nature Center one summer and they continue to be in my collection and shared with family.

"Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances."
- Maya Angelou

Many artists use music for inspiration. One famous artist was Kandinsky. His love of color and sounds is explained in a delightful children’s book called, “The Noisy Paint Box; The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art” by author Barb Rosenstock and illustrator Mary GrandPré.

Drawing and painting to music allows us to connect more deeply with our creative selves. Music with different rhythms such as the Beatles, a waltz, Bob Marley and classics can bring out variations of brush strokes and color.

All that’s required are simple materials, such as colored pencils, markers, or a tray of basic watercolors. Turn on your favorite music and have fun without worrying about the outcome.

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