Music Painting
Artist's Statement
I find musicians a fascinating subject-matter. Is it because I can't carry a tune? Of course not, but it sure is an enabler.
Portraits of conductor James Levine (not Adam Levine, see the difference?), Larry Adler (enjoy the butterfly, the music in its wings), and Big Pun (so big, the charisma!) all sound like promising fields of investigation. Yo-Yo and Lenny (Leonard Bernstein) belong in the same group - and drive meaningful quests for inspiration.
Orchestras are other attempts at "seeing the music" or embodying it in the representative. it's all about finding the code, the symbols, and new patterns of meaning. Check out "The Cello" or "Writing on the Wall with Horse's Tail Hair" for starters.
Other paintings in this series were conceived and executed much earlier (Monique Marsanne, Judy and Chloe), thus more traditional in their approach.
Key Interests & Subject Matters
Music Painting. Portrait Painting. Butterfly Painting. Paintings of Musicians. Paintings of Orchestras.
James Levine. Levine But It's Not Adam. Larry Adler Portrait. Larry Adler, aka The Butterfly. Big Pun. Big Pun Portrait. Lenny. Leonard Bernstein Portrait. Yo-Yo & Co. The Cello. Writing on the Wall with Horse's Tail Hair. Monique Marsanne. Judy & Chloe.
Piano Painting. Ballerina Painting.
Oil on Canvas.
Frederic Marsanne.
Music Painting
Painting Process
No bombast, no extravagant arm-waving. His sciatica and tremor may complicate the task, but conductor James Levine attempts to signal musicians with the slightest move of his fingers. “My mission is to work an orchestra until its responses are the maximum from the minimal gesture.”
Some painters may have no other choice than emulating his way. I am passionate for oil on canvas as a medium, but the toxicity of some colors has contributed to me developing some allergies and a chronic cough over the years. Much like Levine, my mission is to work the oil until its responses are the maximum from the minimal application of layers of paint (a rather new development for me).
The search for unique conceptual takes (psych's strikes) comes first; the execution of designs of any shape and form second. Not really or not quite, of course. Visuals are what it's all about, but finding new patterns of expression is gaining momentum in my creative process - and resulting output. Or, at least, that's the direction I'm heading. That is, when passion does not come in the way.
Frederic Marsanne's Muses & Favorites
I --- Finalizing...