A: Like a long, winding undammed river, you’ve tapped into a very broad and deep topic, man. There are so many styles of music to listen to, and it really depends on what you’re trying to paint. If you’re going to be painting a happy Spring landscape with trees and lakes and birds, then you probably won’t be listening to the same music as when you’re painting jagged, abstract slashes in reds and blacks. Unless you’re just into opposites, and that’s cool, man. I don’t want to put any restrictions on your vibrations.
Usually, though, you’ll want to match the mood you’re trying to evoke in your art. You don’t even have to like what you’re listening to. In fact, if you’re going for angry, putting on something you hate might even inspire you to paint with more force. Now, music is a personal thing, and I don’t want to just dictate your tunes, but I’ll tell you music I’ve used in the past. You can try it, or just put on something from your own list of favorites and pick up that brush. Let the notes and the beats flow in through your ears, down your arm, and out through your hand. You’ll be amazed at the results!
For example, when I’ve got that urge toward psychedelia, I put some Beatles or Jefferson Airplane on the record player. Vinyl, man — it’s so warm and sounds real. No Starship, unless you’re into painting bright colors and sparkles. Nothing wrong with that. I once painted two sides of a three story building in a rainbow of natural pigments mixed with rose-gold and violet glitter after washing down a particularly potent ‘shroom with some quad-caffeinated Turkish coffee. I don’t think the owner was too happy — at least at first. The mural is still there today. Dude never paid me for it, though.
If those bands are too old for you, here’s a new one to try: Syd Arthur. You should check out one of their videos, like Garden of Time. Trippy guys, man!
Don’t give up on old music, though! Classics like Beethoven or Rachmaninov should give large, sweeping movement to your brush strokes while some Bach might be just the thing for precise noodling around the canvas. Experiment! Be bold with your music choices, and you’re going to see wonderful things!
One last note (so to speak): If you’re going to enhance the musical experience with some pharmaceuticals, I recommend an herbal supplement, if you catch me. Today’s chemicals like meth and bath salts just harsh a body! You want to paint the canvas — not eat it! Stay in balance. Make those paints and yourself and the music align in harmony with each other. When it happens, it’s magic, man.
