Paintings for Music

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Paintings for Music

Lorna Robertson • 22 December 2022

Creative collaborations in oil paint and jazz. The relationship between abstract painting and instrumental music. Colliding these worlds in a record label.

Artist painter Lorna Robertson and jazz trumpeter and composer Nick Walters, have been collaborating since 2018, bonded by a shared passion for music, art and design. The duo have worked on several sold out vinyl records and limited edition art prints over the past four years. Collaborating first through the London jazz label 22a, they went on to form their own imprint D.O.T. Records in 2020 - where the relationship between music and art are an integral part of the label identity.

Through D.O.T. Records, they bring their worlds together. Nick creates jazz and electronic albums, and Lorna leads on the artwork. Inspired by their love and respect for great UK labels of the past such as Manchester’s Factory Records and regional independent record shops, D.O.T. Records is a D.I.Y. ethos. Founded during lockdown, the pair brought the vinyl production in house, adding their touch to everything. Lorna creates an original painting or drawing for each album, used to design the vinyl record covers and limited edition art prints.

The duo originally met in a live / work warehouse set up in East London, where Lorna was developing an abstract portrait series and Nick on his album ‘Active Imagination’. Their first crossover occurred when Lorna painted a double portrait of Nick, of the front and back of his head - which went onto become the front and back cover of ‘Active Imagination’ released on 22a Records. Lorna followed up with a group portrait of the band Ruby Rushton, which became the cover for ‘Overture 1’ also released on 22a. From this, the couple continued to collaborate on other projects - fast forward to 2020 and D.O.T. Records was formed.

The Inaugural release on the new label was ‘Implicate Order’ 2020, where Lorna began to more fully explore the ideas on the relationship between abstract painting and instrumental music. Drawing on the theories of Wassily Kandinsky, she created a large abstract oil painting that represented the 11 musicians involved. Responding to the sounds of the album, Lorna applied Kandinsky’s theories of specific instruments having certain colours associated with them - the trumpet red, flute light blue, double base dark blue. The results are a composition that is both structured with a sense of internal movement, that responds to the composed and improvisational nature of jazz. There is a sense of movement and interplay between the shapes and colours as they guide our eye around the canvas.

Conceptually the same, but different in form, Lorna became fascinated by how abstract painting and instrumental music are both non-verbal modes of expression that create a space for abstract, even spiritual thought. This was explored in depth in the work ‘Painting for 18 Musicians’, 2022. A painting about using colour to express sound - visualising musical time, movement and rhythm as the subject. The painting took shape while she was thinking about the continuous curves of sound waves, and how a digital sound recording is split into tiny discrete chunks (many thousands per second).

The title was inspired by a live performance of Steve Reich's 'Music for 18 Musicians', a minimalist composition written between 1974–1976. On hearing the piece for the first time, the visualisations that occurred during the performance influenced the development of the painting, and encapsulated the ideas around the structure and behavior of music and abstraction. The final artwork is about the complementary characteristics of instrumental music and abstract painting. The conceptual similarities between the gradual shifting musical textures, and the colour palette of music, took shape within the composition of the painting.

In 2022, Lorna continued to examine the relationship of abstract painting and instrumental music more closely, developing the series ‘No Words, Only Feelings’ about how sound and rhythm can be visualized using shape and colour. Juxtaposing deep yellow, red and blue, humming alongside their cooler toned counterparts to create their own kind of harmony – the colours and shapes are a nod to the aesthetics and ideas of the women of the Bauhaus movement. The musical touchstones drawn on to inspire the paintings, range from the compositions of Philip Glass to the spiritual jazz of John and Alice Coltrane. The shapes and colours interact visually to stimulate and excite the eyes, as we follow them around the composition they push forward and retreat - creating a visual movement.

Looking ahead to 2023, the Lorna and Nick have plans for new bodies of work and the third release on D.O.T. Records that continue to explore the theme. Their latest work is inspired by the sights, sounds and smells of a trip travelling around the Indian subcontinent, with the music and art built around samples recorded on the streets of India.

Instagram @lorna.robertson.art

Website www.lornarobertson.co.uk

Instagram @nick.walters.music

Website www.nick-walters.co.uk

D.O.T. Records

https://nick-walters.bandcamp.com/

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Haru Mihoko

by Haru Mihoko • 21 February 2025

My name is Haru Mihoko and I am a painter currently working in Japan. I have loved drawing since I was a child and studied fine art and graphic design in my student days. After that, I continued to draw freelance, doing illustration work and illustrated packaging design for souvenir sweets, and now I am mainly working on creating paintings. I mainly use mixed media techniques to create beautiful landscapes, women's paintings, abstract art, etc. in delicate colors.

Anouk Schmidt

by Anouk Schmidt • 30 January 2025

I am Anna (Anouk) Schmidt, currently living and working in the western region of Hungary as an illustrator. My connection with drawing dates back to my childhood. A master painter introduced me to the world of applied arts from the age of 6, who had accompanied my journey for more than a decade later on. The current form of Anouk Arts represents the natural intuitive experience of childhood for me, where the perception of space, time and physical attributes ceases in the process of creation. My main topics are the relationship between nature and humans in the realm beyond the known world. The passage between the worlds is represented by symbolism, with the feeling of memories which never have happened. I am greatly influenced by nature and the living flora and fauna, constellations, mysticism, Eastern philosophies, the art of music and cinema. I am also inspired by the artists of the spiritual culture that emerged in the 60s and 70s, highlighting some of them, such as Carlos Castaneda, Syd Mead, Bruce Davidson, Hiro Isonoo, Henryk Płóciennik.

Max-Malte Posmyk

by Max-Malte Posmyk • 27 January 2025

Max-Malte Posmyk, known by his artist name MM.POSMYK, is a contemporary impressionist painter based near Berlin. His work blends the delicate language of lmpressionism with the expressive power of contemporary art. Thematically, he explores femininity, the vastness of the sea, and the longing for maternal security. His art reflects profound human emotions and the time/ess relationship between nature and intimacy, while also fostering interdisciplinary dialogue across generations and cultures.

ChollCholl

by ChollCholl • 5 January 2025

Cholladee Jampathom, aka 'ChollCholl,' is a Thai artist and illustrator. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 1989. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts and a Master's degree in Graphic Branding & Identity." Although she did not graduate directly in the field of art or have a background in this area, she has been interested in and passionate about drawing since childhood. Additionally, her parents also have a love for art and music, which has led them to support her artistic journey all along. She began to focus more intensively on her artistic career in the past few years. Her interests tend to focus on inner growth, nature, and the subtle nuances of being human. Therefore, her work often contains elements that reflect thoughts, inner states, and the journey of understanding and discovering one’s own identity.

CESTNICOLAS: The Art of Timeless Expression

by CESTNICOLAS • 28 December 2024

Hailing from the sunlit shores of the French Riviera, CESTNICOLAS, is a self-taught artist whose work transcends borders, emotions, and conventions. At just 26 years old, this emerging talent has already captivated audiences across Europe and the Middle East, showcasing his creations in prestigious venues from the Côte d’Azur to the Emirates.

mona khan

by mona khan • 15 December 2024

My name is Mona Khan, and I am a contemporary abstract artist, fashion designer, and illustrator. I completed my A Levels in Art and Design at Beaconhouse School System. As an abstract artist, I skillfully utilize a diverse array of lines, colors, and shapes to craft a captivating visual experience that transcends the traditional boundaries of representing reality, allowing my work to embrace the realm of pure imagination. Each piece I create serves as an invitation for viewers to immerse themselves in a world unbound by the constraints of the physical universe. My preferred mediums include a harmonious blend of watercolor, acrylic, pastels, charcoal, and oil, each chosen for their unique qualities that contribute to the texture and depth of my artistic expression. Through this eclectic mix, I explore the interplay between form and color, inviting the audience to experience a dynamic journey through my creative vision. As a devoted and enthusiastic painter, I infuse vibrant colors and emotions into my canvases. With a sharp attention to detail and a profound love for art, I aim to craft distinctive and enthralling pieces that inspire and elevate those who encounter them. Through my artistry, I strive to encapsulate the beauty and intricacies of the world that surrounds us in all its forms. From the gentlest murmurs of nature, such as the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze or the melodic calls of distant birds, to the most striking expressions of human emotion that can convey profound joy, deep sorrow, or intense passion, I endeavor to express the complete range of life’s experiences through my work. Each piece I create is a reflection of my observations and a tribute to the myriad moments that shape our lives, seeking to inspire connection and resonate with those who encounter it. With every brushstroke, I infuse my heart and soul into each painting, aiming to produce works that are not just visually captivating but also deeply emotive.

Laurentiu STROE

by Color, Texture, Inner Emotions • 13 December 2024

Laurentiu STROE - Color, Texture, Inner Emotions

Matthew Morpheus

by Matthew Morpheus • 13 December 2024

Your colors are so rich. How do you achieve this effect? When it comes to full-format graphic works, there is no secret as such. Achieving such rich and vivid colours is a combination of technique, material and intuition. I start by choosing high quality, expensive pens made by SAKURA, JAPAN, which allow me to achieve maximum colour saturation. Ultimately it is about finding the right balance and harmony to allow the colours to speak and evoke the right emotions. My goal is to make colours not just seen, but felt. Whether I am working with traditional materials or digital media, I focus on layering and blending to create a sense of saturation that mesmerises the viewer. Ultimately my approach to colour is about creating emotional resonance. I choose colours that evoke certain feelings and experiences, allowing the viewer to connect with the work on a deeper level. By carefully manipulating colour, I strive to create work that not only attracts attention, but invites contemplation and participation. Did you begin by drawing, painting? How did your art evolve over time? My journey in art began with black and white graphics. I was captivated by the simplicity and immediacy of a simple black gel pen and white paper, which allowed me to freely express my thoughts and emotions. Over time I moved on to conceptual art where I discovered the richness of the depth of colour. My art has evolved considerably, influenced by the different experiences, cultures and techniques I have encountered along the way. Initially I focused on black and white abstraction, but as I became more confident, I began experimenting with coloured pens and mixed media techniques. This evolution reflects my personal growth and desire to challenge traditional boundaries in art. Each phase of my artistic journey has contributed to the unique voice I strive to express in my work today. I see myself developing further by creating a multi-layered installation where I can engage the viewer's tactile, auditory and visual senses. What do you want the viewer to feel? A person can display on his face only one emotion fear, joy, sadness, sympathy. But in his soul a man is multifaceted. All intertwined experiences, from love to hate, create in the depths of his soul the most important feeling. And its name is Zero Emotion. And it is this emotion that I try to catch and capture in my works. Through my art I hope to evoke a sense of connection and introspection in the viewer. I want them to feel a deep resonance with the layers of stories and emotions embedded in each piece. My artwork is meant to awaken curiosity, inviting the viewer to explore and uncover their own interpretations and perceptions of reality. Ultimately, I strive to create the very world to which the viewer resonates.

A Course in Miracles – A Spiritual text inspiring an artist

by Gino Parisi • 9 December 2024

A Course in Miracles – A Spiritual text inspiring an artist

Zorica Cica Obradovic

by Zorica Cica Obradovic • 7 December 2024

ZORICA CICA OBRADOVIC An internationally recognized artist currently based in Sweden, Zorica Cica Obradovic has made a significant impact in the art world. She has showcased her captivating artwork at prestigious venues, including Art Nordic in Copenhagen, and The Holy Art Gallery, with exhibitions held in renowned cities such as Milan, Paris, and New York. Her unique style and creative vision have garnered attention from art enthusiasts and collectors alike, highlighting her contributions to contemporary art on a global scale.