March has been a month of dancing, walking, painting and swimming through layers of joy and sadness. I am grateful for the reminder that I am still learning and growing, however, the older I get, the more I want to harness the everyday curiosity and presence of my 5-year-old self! Especially as I embark on my next series of paintings inspired by music.
I am very excited to work with the esteemed concert pianist, Elyane Laussade, to create a unique and wonderful experience for both, Melbourne and Sydney audiences. It will be a veritable feast for the senses – an event that combines an exhibition of new paintings with a performance of the compositions that inspire the works. The theme we will explore is Evoking the Elements – Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Music by composers such as Debussy, Chopin, Sindig and de Falla will feature in the program.
I would love for you to join me on the journey as I prepare for this special event. As the works progress, I will share notes, musings and photos from my studio with you via email and also on my website.
Elyane and I are currently collaborating to refine the program. While she prepares to perform, I am listening to and researching the context and intent of each piece and allowing my connection to the elements in nature and the experience of the music to inspire the images. Each piece of music will be poetically, rather than literally, represented by either a single large painting or a group of small works.
One of the first compositions I am working with is the hauntingly beautiful piece, Ritual Fire Dance, a movement of the ballet ‘El Amor Brujo’ or The Bewitched Love. You can read the story and listen to the music on the page dedicated to Evoking the Elements in the Paintings tab of my website.
This music, with its story, rich in symbolism, pathos and passion, is the subject for a large canvas sitting on my easel. I am both excited and daunted - waiting for the imagery to crystalise in my mind’s eye, before putting brush to canvas. Perhaps I too should light a huge fire and dance to its flickering flames?
Let me know your thoughts and I look forward to sharing this exciting creative process with you over the coming year.
What I learned on my desert journey…