Each painting in this series was inspired by a specific musical selection. The Phantoms of the musical influence may be vividly evident or subtly sit beneath the surface of each work. Whether direct or subliminal, overt or unobservable, music is a foundation of each painting's construction.
8x10" | Oil on Hardboard
This painting was created while listening to the album "Rubicon" by the Norwegian gothic metal band Tristania. Rubicon is both a river in Italy as well as an idiom meaning "point of no return." The album cover features a hazy reflection that I wanted to incorporate into the piece, which I accomplished by using a black mirror in my setup.
8x10" | Oil on Hardboard
This painting was created while listening to the album "A Mortal Binding" by the English doom metal band My Dying Bride as I continue to let music influence my paintings. Working in "reverse" with white paint on a black background, I focused on a loose, spider-web like brushwork to bring a haunted feel to the painting.
8x10" | Oil on Hardboard
This piece was created as I listened to Frederic Chopin's Nocturnes for inspiration. It features a very focused approach to brushwork, which I feel was well aligned with the musical selection.
8x10" | Oil on Hardboard
Mastodon is the second painting for the "Phantoms" series, which explores letting music guide the creation of the piece. For this piece I listened to the band Mastodon, particularly the album Crack the Skye. The progressive and heavy nature left an impression on the painting and inspired me to embrace music as an influence for visual art.
8x10" | Oil on Hardboard
Primitive Skull is the first painting for the "Phantoms" series, which explores letting music guide the creation of the piece. The idea for the series came as I noticed my brushstrokes momentarily matching the cadence of the 90's Alternative Rock I was listening to. I felt the subliminal effect was strengthening the piece, so I decided to become more intentional in letting music guide my brush. Primitive Skull represents the foundation of the series, the concept of the musical Phantoms in it most primitive state.
