Are You Listening?

Since I've done a couple blogs now about custom paintings that are inspired by music my clients are inspired by....I thought it might be fun for you all to know the music I listen to while I make my personal art! Sometimes I can look at one of my past paintings and remember a specific album or just one song that I listened to repetitively so here's a few examples. At the bottom of the blog is a list of my current favorite tunes to paint to. Take a listen and pretend it's not Monday :)

I made this mixed media piece back in the summer of 2011 (or maybe 2010?) when that Florence and the Machine song "Dog Days are Over" was brand new to the radio waves. I was taking a summer class when I made it and I remember taping this giant paper to the wall of the classroom and feeling very hip as I blasted Florence Welch's badass voice into my eardrums and pretended to be escaping from all my problems like Julia Roberts in the trailer for Eat Pray Love. 

I've talked about this painting a bunch and how inspired it was by the book The Magicians by Lev Grossman. It also had the inspiration of the music I listened to while creating it, specifically Lorde's "Buzzcut Season" song. The part where she sings how she'll "never go home again" gives me that heartbreaking honest special something that you need in your soul when you're trying to make a good painting. 

This painting is still in very much in progress. The music I've listened to while making it has changed a bit too. At the start of it (the left red painting) I listened to "Rebellion" by Arcade Fire repetitively about 900 times... but I'm in a happier place now and am listening to good ol Rilo Kiley, mainly "Spectacular Views". 

Other Go-To Inspiration Station Musaaaac 
-Shannon Saunders | Medley cover of "Wrecking Ball", "Roar" and "Royals"
-Vance Joy | Rip Tide (bizarre-oh music video)
-Diplo | Revolution 
-Passion Pit | (anything really, but especially...) I'll Be Alright
-Counting Crows | Recovering the Satellites (/ entire Films about Ghosts album)
-The Head and the Heart | Down in the Valley
-Edith Piaf | Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (to be played on full volume)
-Jenny Lewis feat. Zooey Deschanel | The Next Messiah
-Tears for Fears | Head over Heels
-Yes | I've Seen All Good People
-Led Zeppelin | Babe I'm Gonna Leave You

And maaaaany more!

What music inspires you??? Comment below!