Art Inspired by Music

Last weekend, I drove up to see my college daughter perform in her orchestra. Now for those of you who have negative flashbacks to elemetary school orchestra and band concerts where you couldn't tell the difference between the music and the tuning... this was nothing of that sort. My daughter goes to a music conservatory where students are training to perform at the highest level.  Inspiration to my artistic soul As I sat in the orchestra I observed the different instruments. I find it fascinating how musical instrument makers have figured out how to twitch brass and carve wood into the music making pieces. I knew that my next art collection must be based on a series of the instruments and I couldn't wait to get home to my art studio so I could start working on them

Since  my daughter is a cellist, of course the series needed to include a cello painting. This mixed media artwork has already been sold, so you can't buy the original. However, I am making prints available here. Click here to see the musical art series as I list them.

My son is a clarinetist. He is not planning to pursue music at the conservatory level, but it is part of his heart and soul nonetheless. I love watching him play as he transforms from a badass wrestler into a boho street musician.  We did have a conversation about why my art is so "feminine." I pointed out to him that Monet's art is fairly feminine too with lots of pink. Not all the art in my series is quite as pink as this one. I actually did not have my son in mind when I created it but rather my daughter's friend who is studying the clarinet at her music conservatory. Authenticity in Art We also talked about mixed media in general. he told me when he thinks of mixed media he thinks of "glitter." which is interesting because although a lot of mixed media artists use glitter, the only glitter in my art in on my holiday ornaments. I told him about other artists I know whose art is more masculine, like Seth Apter. I also told him that if I purposefully tried to force my art to be more appealing to men-- ie worry about commercialism- I may lose my authentic voice in my art. So yes, most of the time, my art has a lot of feminine attributes, like flowers and butterflies and pink. (see the emerging musical art series) Butterfly Music I really liked the idea of butterflies and notes coming out of the clarinet. I also added grungy wording on top.  The idea is that the music of an orchestra or jazz band is rich and creates a cacophony of sounds yet it calms the soul anyway.

(the original art pictured above is sold...but fine art prints of instrument art are available) The third instrument is one that I played in high school. I had begged for lessons for years but I didn't start playing until I was in the seventh grade and my family could finally afford a piano. We didn't have a Steinway, but I decided to create that art anyway as it represents the luxury of pianos. Did you play piano too? You can see this art plus more of the musical series on my website.

Other blog posts you might like

• Confessions of a Music Mom

• I admit it. I am a classical music nerd. 

• Music I listen to when I paint...

In Case We Haven't Met Yet...

Hello! I'm Miriam Schulman and I create mixed media art to tell stories. I also teach other people how to craft their stories with art. I give them the techniques they need to get the results they desire which brings more joy to their lives. 

Now I want to hear from you... how does music inspire you?