The Sensory Impact of Music on Art
Writing Art Series by Al Gord
Lend your ears to music, open your eyes to painting, and… stop thinking! Just ask yourself whether the work has enabled you to ‘walk about’ into a hitherto unknown world. If the answer is yes, what more do you want?
~ Wassily Kandinsky
From as early as I can remember, music, specifically rock music has always been influential in my life. The energy of the music, the themes in the lyrics, and even the artists themselves have always caught my attention. Yet interestingly enough, for many years I never recognized the inspiration this genre of music could have in my art.
For an artist to enjoy the creative process and share their soul and for the audience to be able to connect with a piece of art, passion has to be felt in the work. This is the struggle I experienced for years, finding that true passion to fuel my work and support me in creating original works of art. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, the inspiration comes to an artist, after years of trying different media and subject matter.
For me it all came together after seeing an unrelated piece of art, dabbling with different techniques – trying to find my voice, and remembering seeing this incredible artist as a child, none other than the amazing Denny Dent, who I encourage everyone to look up if they are not familiar with his work.
Painting people has always been most fascinating for me – to get the proportions and emotions correct is a challenge unto itself. Adding in the extra layer of painting famous musicians, has upped the challenge, one that I embrace. The energy of the rock music can be seen in my art, through the use of a fragmented background, that combines different art techniques. One might even argue that not only does this create movement, and even chaos, but a sense of rhythm and a visual depiction of the music itself.
The music drives me and helps guide my art. What if I was listening to Beethoven or Mozart? Would the piece be different? Would the backgrounds change? Conversely, what if I was painting Beethoven or Mozart but listening to rock music – would that influence the look of the final piece. In time, this may be something I explore. For now, my intent is capturing the emotion of the moment; one where the musician is portrayed in their element – a performance based piece. Sharing my passion behind the music creates a whole different feel to the art – one in which I hope which the viewer can connect.
In the spirt of Kandinsky, see if your eyes can sense the music, the energy, the passion behind the art. Examine the title and see how it is reflected in my work and … stop thinking! Reflect on what the piece means to you and if it has allowed you to ‘walk about’ into a hitherto unknown world. If the answer is yes, then enjoy the experience for what it has to offer.
Breathe In So I Can Breathe You Out by Al Gord
You Can Have Whatever You Want but You Better not Take it From Me by al gord
Al Gord is an up and coming artist who has been a featured artist twice in Niji Magazine. He has exhibited pieces in shows from Toronto, Canada, and New York to the United Kingdom. He combines abstract techniques with figurativism to create Iconic Rock Portraitures. Other series of works include Modern Romantic Expressionist pieces and pieces which focus on mental health awareness and advocacy. Regardless of the subject matter his signature style is clearly recognizable. His work is showcased on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, where he welcomes inquiries, questions, and feedback.
Al Gord and Al Gord Art: All work is the creative and intellectual property of Al Gord and Al Gord Art. No part of my work (specific work, its electronic reproductions or its intellectual property) may be reproduced, copied, modified, transmitted, re-distributed or adapted, without the prior written consent of the artist, Al Gord.
One of the most intentional and important choices I make as an artist is the colour palette choice for a painting. The choice of colour impacts the emotion a viewer feels. It can enhance or detract from a work of art. The very essence of colour unto itself is a tool for communication. What is it about this simple concept that makes it quite complex in actuality?
directly impact our mood. Think about the choices we make in our daily lives with regards to colour. The choice of clothing combinations – what does it say about one’s personality, the statement they are trying to make or how one is feeling on a given day? What about other colour choices? Consider the last time you decided to paint a room in your house? Why did you choose the colour that you did? Think about how the colour of food affects one’s appetite and how it can add to the appeal of trying a new dish.
My series on mental health, “Walk a Mile in my Head” combines blacks, greys and blues for every painting. Often we associate the shades (blacks), tones (greys) and colours such as blue as being sombre – a way to depict sadness and loneliness. I chose these colours for this series, not because people impacted by mental illness always feel this way – they don’t. Rather I chose these colours to elicit a strong emotional connection for those viewing the pieces.
The role an artist plays varies, based on subject matter, audience and intent of the work. Whether the artist intends to inspire, raise awareness or even provoke – artists also need to actively make a positive difference. Sometimes that is achieved merely by the subject matter and how it moves and connects others. On a more intentional level it is about giving back to society and supporting important causes.
One of the most powerful things about an artist’s work is the emotion captured within the piece, invoked by the art or which inspires the product. Artists focus on areas of passion, topics that move them, subjects that inspire them and experiences and feelings that remain with them. Whether explicit or implicit, every artistic work represents some part of an artist. It is through the canvas where I share my innermost feelings and where my passions come to life for others to see.
Al Gord is an up and coming artist who uses abstract techniques with figurativism to create Modern Romantic (Uninhibited) Expressionist pieces and Rock Icon Portraitures. He also creates pieces which focus on mental health awareness and advocacy. Regardless of the subject matter his signature style is clearly recognizable. His work is showcased on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, where he welcomes inquiries, questions, and feedback.
Art has always been an important aspect of my life, at times acting as a medium for self-expression and other times feeding a need for creative exploration. The beauty of art is the freedom it allows us to be completely ourselves, free of social constraints, insecurities, rules, etiquette; a freedom that is often not ours when communicating with words. There is a definite degree of rawness that comes with this kind of silent poetry, especially when we invite the world into this personal space.
Hello everyone and welcome back to Words on Art, where we invite artists and writers to collaborate and creatively blend brush strokes with words. We would like to thank Jessica for her successful writing submission, Sweet Oranges, chosen to complement Al Gord’s painting, titled A Changing Perspective. We would love to hear your feedback on this creative blend. Feel free to share your thoughts in the reply box below. Thank you Al and Jessica.
Hello everyone and welcome back to Words on Art, where we invite artists and writers to collaborate and creatively blend brush strokes with words. We would like to thank Marc Mullo for his successful writing submission, Consumed Within, chosen to complement Emily Page’s untitled painting. 
Get out your sketch pads, sharpen those pencils, it’s time fo
r an Art Competition. Words on a Limb would like to invite readers (ages 6-10) to send in their best illustrations, capturing the essence of the picture-book, Words. The winner will receive a hardcover edition of Words and have their work featured on our site, as well as Lora Rozler’s 
Hello everyone and welcome back to Words on Art, where we invite artists and writers to collaborate and creatively blend brush strokes with words. We would like to thank Tammy for her successful writing submission, The Proposal, chosen to complement Jana’s painting, Peach and Bear. We would love to hear your feedback on this creative blend – please share your thoughts in the reply box in the bottom of the post. Thank you Jana and Tammy.
Words On A Limb 