The Happiest Place in the World- Oil on Illustration Board 16'' x 20'' by Tim Chappell
It’s true for most artists of any type, that music is necessary. We brand our style, and find synonyms in the music that inspires us. I don’t find my passion with music as much as I’d say I use it as gasoline. I burn it up when ever I’m working, it’s that midnight oil that makes me move, the direction is my own, but the throttle is pushed down so in tune with my engine when I have my tunes jamming.
On this note, it has become fact that with painting I will return to the same band throughout almost an entire piece. It keeps my style consistent. The mood of the idea for the painting chooses the mood of the music. The awkwardness of “The Happiest Place in the World” for instance, with its themes of energy and potential, shadowed over by the hesitance and weight of past grief- was entirely painted while listening to Arcade Fire - The Suburbs. http://bit.ly/1a03Wc7
Film on the other hand, A truly wonderful movie will surpass music in its potential to inspire me. For instance, after seeing Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will be Blood I could not sleep. My night was filled with depth and ideas, vintage designs and prolific abuse of nature. The potential of corruption and vile hatred. the subtleties in Day-Lewis’s face inspired me to paint- a portrait with Jesus eyes, and an oil stained mustache. Brow tilted to represent so many notions while his nostrils flare.
It could be said, I suppose, that without importing desirable passion- I may be severely hindered in my export production. In a white room, like purgatory- with all the supplies in the world, however my brain stepping into it as a blank canvas, it is very hard to imagine what I would produce. It would have skill, and precision, but would it be desirable? inspired? I aspire to inspire passion, but I’ve got to have my fuel.
I’m always looking for new inspirations, feel encouraged to share some if this makes any come to mind. - Do any of you feel that your more productive in that white blank room?
