I attended an art class today in which we listened to a piece of music -- Eric Whitacre's 'Sleep' -- and painted what it inspired. I was taken by the lines:
"What dreams may come,
Both dark and deep--
Of flying wings and soaring leap?
As I surrender unto sleep."
The result was an inspired vision of late summer hazy evening.
I did not use my usual gamut of techniques and media: This was just watercolour paint and watercolour pencils in a range of washes running into one another. Some of the texture came from pressing cheesecloth and dried grass stems into the wet paint. The size is odd, being 7" by 11", but I like that.
A beautiful piece of music and a beautiful painting you've done. Very inspiring and thank you for sharing.
I wasn't familiar with this piece BrentW so went off to YouTube to listen and to read the words in entirety. I completely agree that it conjures up a still and sunny late afternoon in August, a time and place I feel completely in tune with. And the resulting painting is 100% aligned with the feelings I feel then! Absolutely breathtakingly lovely BrentW!
Thank you very much, Callendersgal. Despite my time in the Caribbean, when I reach deep in my soul, it is English music and English countryside I find. Aaron Copland, the quintessential American composer, said that when he reached down deep, it was Jewish music he found. That from the composer of Rodeo and Appalachian Spring!
This is beautiful, Brent ~ soft and loose. I’ve found that this sort of “exercise” in a class is very freeing ... it can encourage us to go beyond our usual techniques. This would allow me to let go, venture beyond my “norm” ...
Dear Baffled, many thanks for your kind comment. I still regard myself as being a beginner at watercolour, though I have oodles of enthusiasm. I frequently find myself feeling blocked. Hence my attending classes. That you, with such a background in graphic art, find my painting beautiful will help to encourage me to continue.
I have just registered in three online classes (with ongoing access) because I have been away from painting for awhile now! We should never stop learning, or “practicing” ... There is always something to discover!
Greetings: 😊 This lovely painting reminds me of soft, wispy, ethereal rainbows. 🙃 It also reminds me of what Heaven will look like Have a wonderful day/afternoon/evening.😇🌈🙏
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My Paintings