Do you listen/talk while you paint?

Karin Wells · 07-10-2002, 01:05 AM

When I am sitting at my easel, I used to listen to classical music - until September 11th. From that point on, I have been addicted to NPR (National Public Radio).

If I have any company in my studio, I can easily paint and chat at the same time, as long as the subject is not about what is happening on the canvas.

I have friends who cannot concentrate unless there is complete silence and I am wondering about the work habits of other artists.

Meredith Wagenknecht · 07-10-2002, 11:19 AM

Karin,

I too am a HUGE fan of NPR and always have been. Riders in the Sky, Garrison Keillor, Click & Clack - ah yes! Music is a MUST, mostly jazz, blues, "smooth jazz", bluegrass, classical, the list goes on. Even though I prefer to actually sit down and READ, I also listen to books on tape occasionally. Actually, listening to "Angela's Ashes" being read by Frank McCourt himself (unabridged) was thoroughly enjoyable. I could NEVER (with my inner voice) master his wonderful Irish brogue! TV doesn't work, because I wind up watching more than I should. Shame on me! Take care.

Marta Prime · 07-10-2002, 03:09 PM

I like NPR too, but I usually listen to it in my office at work. They switch between the news and classical music on the same station here. At night when I am painting, I don't really care what is on. Sometimes I play CD's, sometimes I listen to a radio program, sometimes I have the TV on, but that can be distracting. If I choose TV it's usually because I feel lonesome, and I put on some old movie I've seen oodles of times (like Jane Eyre) so I don't have to take my eyes off what I am doing to watch. It goes through my head as I listen. But to tell the truth, there are times I start painting and get so involved, I don't even realize nothing is on. It's like coming out of a coma when you've been painting awhile. Oh, gee, what time is it? I block everything out if I really get into it.

Marvin Mattelson · 07-10-2002, 07:25 PM

Fingerstyle guitar music is my favorite listen, in particular Bill Mize and Leo Kotke. They take me to a whole other level. In New York there is a great FM station, WFUV, which is the public radio station of Fordham University. They play a great eclectic mix of music which is primarily singer songwriter oriented. If you're interested they are streaming online at http://www.wfuv.org/.

Renee Price · 07-12-2002, 11:23 AM

This is an interesting topic since my boys are home for the summer! I can't talk to someone while I'm painting, and everyone in the house knows not to ask me a question while I'm painting if they want a coherent answer. The ideal situation for me is to be alone listening to classical or New Age music while I paint.

Renee Price

Jim Riley · 07-12-2002, 07:03 PM

Marvin, thanks for the WFUV link. I used to listen to that station on business trips to northern New Jersey and had trouble remembering the name/location. Ironically 90.7 is our local access to Temple NPR, where I get Classic in the daytime and Jazz in the evening. It sounds as though you might also enjoy Bela Fleck, who has a CD out, "Live at the Quick", that includes his usual range of jazz, bluegrass and the like on the banjo, and also includes eastern Indian vocals and a Bach Violin Partita (on his banjo). How about that for eclectic.

I usually don't have visitors to my studio and don't plan on painting when I do. Short interruptions by family are not a problem and having worked and schooled in environments where ongoing discussion was the norm I sometimes find working alone disconcerting.

My companions are the folks at NPR and my ipod, where I have saved things distinctive and unique such as Bela Fleck, the Belgium Women's Chorus, classical harmonica and Rahsaan Rolan Kirk playing jazz on three saxophones at the same time. Willie Nelson and Frankie Yankovic's polkas are sometimes on the playlist as well.

Classical music seems to tighten me up and I find it impossible to listen to the Texaco Opera and paint and therefore painting stops on Saturday afternoons.

For you NPR people don't miss This American Life and Schickele Mix.

And sometimes I work in the full quiet of the studio without even realizing that "nothing is turned on". I can handle it.

Administrator's Note: ipod is Mac's MP3 player /recorder that will also allow you to store presentations, pictures, documents and digital movies.

ReNae Stueve · 07-13-2002, 08:56 AM

I listen to NPR exclusively lately. Funny, Karin, I hadn't put the two together, but it has been since 9/11. I'm a child of the 60's. Rock and roll, blues, etc. had always been my sound of choice until I began to paint seriously. Now it's Chopin and friends. But I've discovered that I can create, almost magically, late night weekends listening to "Hearts of Space." I purchased J. Arif Verner's "Through the Timeless."

At the risk of sounding like a "flake", after a 4-hour session, while listening to meditation pieces while I work, I stand back and exclaim, "WOW, How did I or Who did that!!!" That's the best way to explain what happens. I dunno, but I'm going to keep doing what works.!

Timothy C. Tyler · 07-13-2002, 10:35 AM

"Books on Tape" unabridged from the library. Tons of choices. I can listen passively all day and do. Our house is always busy and loud and my studio is in the house (but I have brick walls).

I can talk sometimes, depends on the subject. As I go into tough parts, I'm told my speech starts to sound like, "Yes, well, I was uhhh...I mean... well...what was the question?"

I been trying to learn French but there's no way to do that and paint. Uses the same part of the brain, I quess. I can drive and learn French. Go figure.

Michele Rushworth · 07-13-2002, 10:49 AM

I am amazed that so many of you can listen to things that require any part of your brain to pay attention and paint at the same time! Anything more challenging than slow classical or New Age music and I can't concentrate at all. I don't like to paint in silence, though. Slow music tends to quiet my conscious thought process so I can go into that "zone" where most artists seem to work from.

My kids are also home for the summer from elementary school and as soon as I hear "Mommy! She's not sharing!", my concentration's gone. I don't know how much painting I'll get done this summer!

Mike McCarty · 07-13-2002, 12:22 PM

I generally paint with my right hand, so with my left, I juggle fruit.