I’ve been allured to the arts since I was old enough to pick up a pencil or tap away on a toy xylophone. Introspectively, the allurement, for a shy and introverted child, was self-expression through an indirect means, and in that regard not much has changed in 30 years. Since both art and music are expressive by nature, it’s not uncommon that they serve as creative inspiration, not only in and of themselves, but also for each other. This especially holds true for me personally. 

When listening to my favorite composers, Jeremy Soule or Gustav Holst, my imagination takes flight. Whether it’s the ominous intro to The Planets: Mars, Bringer of War or the epic horns in Overture from Eye of the North, artistic landscapes are painted, characters start to flourish and plots are developed out of the finely crafted orchestrations. The same applies when viewing a piece of art.

Take “Misty Swamps” by Jorge Jacinto for example. Instantly I hear a percussive jungle rhythm composed of djembes, spoons and tin cans, a detuned pizzicato string section and an eerie viola solo to set the ambience. 

When working on an art piece I’ll often create a playlist that reflects the direction or mood I’m trying to take it, and in turn that completed work may inspire an entirely new soundtrack in my head.

With that, I leave you a few questions;

How does music inspire you? 
How does art inspire you?
What other inspirations do you draw from for your own work?