Enjoying music is an experience, generally, spread over a duration of time and sounds. In our lives, dominated by immediacy and visuals, music takes an almost illogical precedence in our experience. Sound evokes emotions, recalling memories at a morning dove’s coo, the rumbling of a lawnmower starting, or a song you have not listened to in years. In that instance, we attach a multi-layered visual to sound: our memory, the implicit performance, and the variety of iterations of both.

Reflecting on this aspect, these paintings aim to capture these multifaceted experiences in one frame. Using visual representations of sound such as concert films, movie musicals, music videos, and the like, I take my time to capture the emotions mirrored between oneself and the media at hand.

Projecting the source material onto my canvas, I mark the lighting, colors, movements, and details which stand out to me. Stopping and starting the recording throughout, layer upon layer build up from the various frames, becoming an abstraction. Combining elements from the source, these pieces directly reference the visual component to sound, while simultaneously allowing individuals to perceive their own experiences and emotions through the abstraction.

The All at Once (formerly In a Single Moment) series, preserves the duration of a musical performance, experience, and its associated memories in one image, with endless significances and serendipities to be found.

Though this project began as a way to re-engage with the media that has been significant for one reason or another over the course of my life so far, I am also eager to paint in this style for others. Whether you want to me to paint your favorite concert or series of videos, or maybe you’re a musician and think of it as an unconventional portrait— an abstract retrospective of your career highlights and projects. Let’s chat about how one of these pieces can take form for you!