Moon Dance

Moon Dance started with our Hazy Moon, lost in the smoke of Canadian wildfires spreading thoughout our night sky. The scent of smoke hangs in the air. Also, a very surreal summer feeling fills both day and night. It turns the Sun orange, cools the temperatures, and casts strange shadows through the trees.

Next, inspired by the artist Joseph Stella, I added the moon phases below. He often augmented his large paintings with repeated images at the bottom.

I wasn’t sure what it was about until I started reading a new novel by Louise Penny, “A Beautiful Mystery“. Immediately I was struck by her opening prologue about the magic of Music on the creative mind. This book tells the fascinating tale of lost Gregorian Chants and their power over the performers and listeners.

I remember a story from a fellow teacher who visited the ancient Glastonbury Tor. A group let him join in their sacred chanting that reverberated throughout the stones. Everyone emerged a changed person. Energies were lifted and stayed with them for days.

I realized this painting was about the harmony of the Universe, the music of the spheres, as our beautiful Moon continues her own unique dance in an ever evolving world.

Music has inspired authors, artists, dancers, and all creatives since the beginning of time. Legends were passed down through tribes with oral accounts and songs. If you want to memorize anything, put it to music. Some authors can even name the song that directly relates to each novel they’ve written.

“Music has a magical effect on the creative process.” Louise Penny

For me, certain songs bring back specific scenes from movies, and makes the characters come alive. Above all, I can sense their feelings. Indiana Jones, Pride and Prejudice, Gladiator, Jaws, are some examples. It’s a thrilling experience and beyond words to explain.

Moon Dance connects to the powerful emotions we all hold.

Music is like Love, filled with powerful emotions that never truly leave you. Plus, music transforms you in the moment. There’s a Divine element to it. Like a Spiritual journey, you are carried away to another world, the land of inspiration. You feel a different time, place, and emotion. Drumming does this, as well as chanting, toning, rhythms, and harmony.

My revelation is that I find it difficult to create without it!

Also, here’s a great book explaining much of what music does to us on the deepest level, “This is Your Brain on Music”, by Professor Daniel J. Levitin. Every aspect of listening and performing, is explored as the science of music and the obsession it has upon us.

So as we step back away from the noise of the World, let’s bring in the power of music. The World is evolving. You must be flexible, care for yourself, and have freedom of choice. Therefore, creating your own world, your sacred space, is more important than ever. Music is the great escape! Ask what music inspires you?

I have artist friends who love the rock of their college days. On the other hand, words tend to distract me. I prefer instrumental meditative songs that just seem to carry me away to another place. Spa offers soothing music that played while I painted Moon Dance. As a result, I felt flowing, freeing, and it all seemed to work. The big idea is to get away from thinking, and immerse deeply into doing. Let music take you there.