There's no doubt that finding the perfect playlist can motivate and inspire you. Whether it's finishing the last mile of your run, tackling that laundry you've been putting off, or getting you through your workday, tunes can change everything. So let's motivate and inspire each other, shall we?
This is Brain Music: a selection of songs curated monthly by different members of the Rochester community that we hope will inspire you the same way it inspires its curator. Today, we bring you a playlist curated by intuitive painter and artist Lisa Wagner. Without further ado, here's Brain Music Episode 38.
Hi! I'm Lisa Wagner; owner of Lisa Wagner Art. I am a full-time artist located in Anderson Alley Arts Building. I also teach watercolor, acrylic, collage and intuitive painting classes there. My studio is filled with art supplies, paintings and lots of music!
For me, art and music are one. They have moved my paintings into directions I would have never gone without it playing in the background. I love old school and the new hits, jazz, new age; you name it (minus country) and I'm down. As a kid, I used to play my albums that ranged from John Denver to AC/DC to Scritti Politti while I did my homework or was drawing. It held my concentration and inspired me. I would jot down lyrics that were poetic or had a deeper meaning to me. Music sometimes transition me from painting, straight into writing a quick poem. It has such a rich texture and depth of meaning. My creative brain wanted to interpret that into anything artsy! I was also pretty convinced that I would end up being Tina Turner's backup singer when I was old enough to strike out on my own. Too bad I can't sing for love or money.
While I am at my Anderson Arts Building studio working, much of the music selection I choose is determined by what kind of creativity I am engaged in. If I am doing intuitive painting, I tend to lean toward new age music. Jai-Jagdeesh is my favorite! If the piece needs more energy, I'll switch the music to dance or Top 40 music to get movement into the piece. If the day calls for work on watercolor pieces, I need to use higher energy music to help keep my attention. Watercolor tends to be very intense and technical for me. Music keeps the mood lighter, the work looser and more lively! For my students, I like to tailor the music to whichever discipline they are here to learn. We even break out African dance music during the intuitive painting classes. Each genre has distinct influences on the students' paintings through movement and even color choice. It's fascinating!
If I am having an open studio night or an art opening, jazz or a full-on mix of everything on my playlists keeps it light and fun. It also helps to cover the listening tastes of folks that are in attendance. It's fun to see them come in just to hear the music and then realize there's cool work to go along with it. It makes for a sweet little marriage between the two! Sometimes, impromptu dancing even happens in the middle of my studio. It's magic!
Music is the great equalizer, making each of us sway to the rhythm, regardless of our political or socioeconomic status. It brings us together, adds life and color to even the bleakest situations. When you marry it with art, it's always a winning combination!
Want to join Lisa for a class? Check out her upcoming classes.