When Things Feel Uncertain…
I always find immense comfort in art and music when things in life feel uncertain. I think that's because they have the power to remind us all of our innate ability to create, innovate and harmonize.
Even though I am in the art world, I was not given the gifts of musical ability or skill. However, music plays a vital role in my life and creative work. Music provides me a sense of connection, calmness and release. Music is always on in my studio. Simply put, without music, my visual art would not come to be.
For the past 20 years, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has taken place in April in California. I had the good fortune of attending a few times, a few years back.
This year, of course, the festival had to be postponed, but I really enjoyed the free documentary that recently came out on it. (You can find it here, on YouTube.) I loved how the documentary told the story of the festival's creation and history and the important role it has played in so many different aspects of our culture.
I really believe that music is a unique form of "medicine" so I wanted to offer you a few songs that I've recently found healing and inspirational.
Bon Iver is my all-time favorite band and I was so inspired by the fact that they used this time to out with a brand new song. (By the way, all proceed from this song go to the humanitarian-aid organization Direct Relief.) PDLIF stands for "Please Don't Live in Fear." This is certainly a moment-to-moment practice, isn't it? I love the line, "We can build it from here." This song inspired me to really think about what I what I was listening to during this time and why. Unlike Bon Iver, I wasn't inspired to create a piece of work or series particularly for this time in history, but I am certainly noticing new subtleties in the work I'm creating now. The energy of the time has naturally and inevitably worked its way into my work and the new music I'm listening to (more on that below) is infusing itself into my brushstrokes as well.
A cultural journey through Little Havana and Cuba, Buena Vista Social Club cultivates a sense of adventure and expanding your mind. Before this pandemic, I was somewhat complacent in my musical taste, but while having more time to spend in the studio, I’ve let shuffle be my guide through music around the world. I think one beautiful aspect of this time in history is how much it is highlighting how connected we are with everyone on the globe and listening to music around the world helps me tap into that in a powerful way. connected.
During this interesting time, I have found myself expanding my music horizons. With an extensive selection of percussion instruments, this band has sent me on an acoustic adventure every time I’m in the studio.
Polyphia is an all instrumental band made up of four young, prodigy members. Now more than ever, I have found myself listening to instrumental music. This is new for me. I think I'm drawn to instrumental music right now because this is such an unprecedented time and I find comfort in the ability to process it without having to use words. #nowords
This song's lyrics really speak for themselves...
Wanna feel like a light in a dark place
Another color in a world of black and white
Wanna try to paint the world in a new way
Left home with a dream and a suitcase
Hey, yeah we're just getting started
Take your fears and let them go
For the lovers and the broken-hearted
Take a deep breath, make the world a little colorful
We all have different ways of processing and different gifts to give during this time. For me, "Colorful" summarizes what I feel my role is in a very direct, tangible way. However, I hope you can use the song as inspiration for processing and serving in whatever ways align with your heart and soul.
If you'd like to witness my first, recent brushstrokes on a blank canvas, check out this video...
