The How and Why of Seeing the Music

The How and Why of Seeing the Music

VLOG LINK: Watch me create octopus tentacles while I discuss this topic.

(Explaining the phrase “see the music” from my tagline and exploring how it communicates part of the heart of my art.)

I admit, I am overly dramatic with words. I love words, the sounds of them, and the fun of playing with them. As a result, my tagline does not follow the best practices of marketing. It’s just too long.

 

“See the music, hear the colors, awaken the wonder” is the short version. Over time, it’s actually gotten longer as I strive to make sure it communicates everything (also not best marketing practices. What can I say? I’m a rogue.)

 

The longer version that is now in use is 

“See the music, hear the colors, touch the magic and awaken the wonder and worship in your heart.”

 

(cue the sound of marketing professionals weeping and gnashing their teeth.)

 

Each Phrase is Important

 

In spite of, and to the dismay of many, I’m determined to keep this tagline. I love it like I love my own art. I made it and I think it is exactly the message I want to convey, so I thought I would break it down here on the blog for you intrepid and courageous seekers.

 

And it makes sense to begin with the first phrase: “see the music”.

 

What a silly thing to say! Music is sound, you can’t see it! You can only perceive it with your ears! 

 

You are absolutely right, if you approach this logically. It doesn’t make sense materially. Frankly, you’re going to have to reach for that little bit of you that is a poet for this to work. It may be sitting, polished and shiny, on your desk or mantlepiece, but for some of you, this is your reminder that it’s in that back closet, on the top shelf, in a shoebox along with your childlike wonder and your imagination that you put away to keep for posterity or…something.

 

Go get it. I’ll wait.

 

How to See Like an Artist

 

(hums, whistles, pets the dog laying next to me.)

 

Oh! Hello! I see you’re back. Wonderful! Let’s continue…

 

Have you ever seen a lovely delicate flower blowing gently in the wind?

Or a deep-sea jellyfish glowing and pulsing through the ocean?

A waterfall in the sunset dashing down into a chasm?

 

If so, that’s seeing the music. Once you are aware of it, you can see it in more and more places. The more you see it, the better life gets. Keep it up and you’ll be seeing like an artist before you know it.

 

Artists have to learn to see differently. We must learn to perceive value, contrast, line, form, hue, saturation, and texture so that we can incorporate those elements into our art. The better we get at it, the better our art becomes. 

 

The more we perceive it, the more senses we employ to gather the most information possible. The darkness of the shadow, but also the quietness of it. The brightness of the light but also the subtle sound of heatwaves. The line of the sinuous dolphin, but also the swish of the body through the water.

 

It’s all Just Waves Anyway

 

Light is waves. Sound is waves. Color is just the reflection of light waves. 

“Then God said, ‘Let there be light’: and there was light.’” Genesis 1:3

 

All that is was created at the sound of God’s voice. Ergo, sound can be seen. You see it if you see at all. If your eyes work, you see that which was created by sound.

 

(Yes, very good! I see you wiping the dust off that bit of poetry in your soul.)

 

Even light. And therefore color.

 

Seeing the Music

 

Painting is working with the sense of sight. Both my sight and yours. Sight is based on light. Without light we cannot see. Light was created by sound. 

 

When I paint, I am painting with material created by sound–by music, if you will. When I’m molding clay with my hands, I am manipulating what once was music.

 

It is my goal to use this music to help you truly see: see deeply, truly, and clearly. Perceive the light of God and that in Him is no darkness. Hear, through my colors and creations, the music of the created Universe, created for you and me and for His glory. To reveal, to the limit of my ability, things that words cannot communicate.

 

My hope is that when you see my art you see further than just the object I’ve painted or molded with clay. My hope is that you see deeper into my heart and the heart of God. That at least you are invited into the knowledge that there is music you can hear only with your heart.

 

My prayer is that in some small way you see the music.

This Week in the Studio

Besides creating Octopus mugs (man, I need a better title than that), I’ve been making herb strippers and working on a goblet design BECAUSE….

…MY ART WON!

YES! Soon locals are going to see people wearing t-shirts with my art on them advertising the Bertram Art Herb, and Wine Festival!

And I will be hosting a booth at that august event April 29 and 30th.

This is maybe not so huge in the big picture, but it’s HUGE for me, and I’m counting it as one of my award wins for the year’s goal.

Of course, it means that I will need to host a booth. I hope it’s an indoor event, but if not, I’m recruiting help. Anyone want to spend a Saturday helping set up and and Sunday breaking down? I could offer coffee and free pottery…

Meanwhile I’ve also sent a few pieces off to San Angelo again for their spring member’s show.

I also am so enjoying teaching music, as always. I have a few student videos to upload soon, or perhaps I’ll turn them into reels. Be sure to check out my channel for them and give my kiddos some kudos! You should see their faces light up when I share your comments and likes with them.

As always, along with you, I’m looking for the music, listening for the colors, and awakening the wonder and worship in my heart;

Godspeed