"Joanna Hearing Music"

"Joanna Hearing Music" (2021)

 

My continuing efforts to "get my hand back" - I'm  pleased with this painting, as it has been in my mind for a long time.  I wanted to make a painting to honor my friend the Composer  Joanna Brouk, who passed away in 2017.  She used to tell me that she "heard the music" first, and often her composing happened afterwards.  She was one of the most extraordinary and brilliant people I have ever known, and hardly a day goes by that I don't miss her.  

Wherever you are, Joanna, I hope you like this painting.

"I still see shapes when I hear music

It was never my desire to be “out there”

It was just my joy to do it

I hear music still

I write every day.

The writing and the music come from the same place.

There’s a lot of stuff coming through still

Last night I was awoken by Goddess dreams

And that happens a lot."

Joanna Brouk 

as told to Douglas Mcgowan, August, 2015