Liberation

 

Hello and Happy June! In a matter of days, summer season will begin. I have enjoyed the spring. I continue to be busy playing percussion in 4 bands. In my church band, in my steel drum band, in a Kirtan chanting band and jazz band. Drumming brings me so much joy. 

I have also really been enjoying working on some classical repertoire of pieces that I used to play many years ago. Part of the reason I dropped some of them is because they were not appropriate pieces for my work as a therapeutic musician.  Sometimes the tempo is too fast or there is some tension and release in the composition - whereas in my music for patients, I play pieces that have relaxing melodies and tempos. 

One my favorites I am working on is a renaissance piece “Guardame Las Vacas”   . It is the first written example of a theme and variation. I love this because one can see the form of “theme and variation” like a mythological “hero’s journey.’ The opening theme represents home and all of the variations symbolize all of the transformations, transitions, challenges one undergoes in a journey. It is most satisfying to play! 

The collage pictured above is called “Liberation.” The flying penguin to me represents liberating oneself from the constraints of what is possible. It is a humorous image and yet to me it is also a serious display of inner freedom made manifest. Wishing you inner freedom and peace in this coming new season. 

Glorious May

 Hello and a glorious 1st day of May to you., I am enjoying the continuing blossoms of spring and I hope you are too. 

April was a busy month. I had some interesting patients to play for and spent much time preparing new music for them. One of my patients enjoys Kirtan  Sanskrit changing and so I got out my folder of them from some years ago when i used to play the tabla and sing them. Another patient asked me for some blues and so I worked on some of those kind of songs. 

I’ve also been taking some music classes for CEUs (continuing education credits) to meet the requirements for my certification program. One class is on the blues form of music. An analogy the teacher makes is that of a hero’s journey.  This is where in the music (melody or chords) establishes a sense of home. Then an adventure beings as the chords more further away from the tonic (home). Then comes a sign when we are ready to come back home again. This happens in music even without the words. Just listen to a song and the structure of it and think of it like a hero’s journey, a myth being played out. 

In addition to my music, I continue to make more collage. My newest one is pictured above. It seems like this dark time in our history is bringing out more of my whimsical side. I think it is a feeling that we need to keep alive, esp during times of much change and fear. There is always hope if we know where to look for it. I see it in the flowers and animals, music, art, friendship and love. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Art Show April 23 - June 4th 2025 at Northside Library, Charlottesville !

 

Hello everyone! I am excited to tell you that i will be  having a small art show at the Northside Library on April 23- June 4th. It will be shown in The Quiet Room which I absolutely love. Who doesn’t need time in a quiet room these days?!

At this point, I was not planning to have a formal opening since the room it is shown it is a study room and no talking allowed. But if I do have an opening, it will be announced on social media and here! 

I am also gearing up for a few gigs with my bands and that is always great. I do hope this finds you all doing well. 

Happy Spring! 

April is upon us

 

My bands are going great and we are getting ready to play in a few concerts. In my steel drum band, I now play conga and cowbell (instead of lead pan) and that has been a lot of fun. Our jazz band, The Flashbacks is playing for a dance next week. 

Above is one of my collage I submitted to an art show featuring Virginia flora and fauna. I chose my deer as it is a common animal in Virginia and the piece had to accompany a “Virginia Story” . I researched a famous Virginian who loved deer and here is my story for my piece: 

My name is Henry and I once lived in a deer park at Mount Vernon. Many people know about General’s (George Washington to you) love for animals, especially his horse, Nelson who was a friend of mine. General also loved deer and my family enjoyed living in the park he made. Our habitat was unusual because in those times people mostly saw deer as game to hunt. My family often entertained General’s guests by showing them how gentle and tame we were. I have fond memories of eating freshly picked apples from orchard out of the hands of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, who were frequent visitors. My portrait here captures me near the Potomac River which ran behind our home at Mount Vernon many years ago. 

Spring is in the air!

 

Hello and Happy March! Spring is in the air and my daffodils have been in bloom already for a few weeks. I take that as a good sign. I hope this finds everyone doing well. 

For me I have been enjoying learning some old Spanish guitar repertoire. This year marks my 49th year playing the guitar!  It has been 49 years of joy. I have played percussion now for 53 years and playing in my 3 bands is a great source of joy to me. 

I have also been working on expanding my repertoire for my hospice patients I see. When I play at the hospital, I play a lot of my own compositions and improvised music but at hospice, there is more need for songs they know. I am enjoying this work. 

Pictured is my newest collage that will be part of a series for my upcoming art show at the Northside Library in Charlottesville in April. 

Thanks for coming by and Happy Spring!  

A Foxy February

 

Hello everyone ! I seem to be drawn to foxes lately in my art.  In Native American lore, they represent cleverness, intuition, adaptability and playfulness. All of these qualities are important ones for navigating through challenging times. This collage pictured is my latest one in a series I am making for my upcoming show at the Northside library in April. Stay tuned for more info on that as the time nears. 

My music continues to bring me much comfort and joy. I have been reviving some older Spanish guitar pieces for my own pleasure and education. Some of these pieces I would not likely play for my patients but I learn from them and I am always working on growing and improving my knowledge and technical abilities. 

I have been reading some interesting books for CEUs (continuing  education credits) toward my certification degree. The last one I finished was “I Heard There Was a Secret Chord” by Daniel Levitin. My favorite quote from the book is, “Your relationship with music takes place in a secret language, known only to you and to her. The secret chord is  you, the product of all of your life’s encounters; every word or note heard, every thought shared or kept to yourself, every dream achieved or struck down. “ Wow!  How about that for food for thought to ponder! 

It is now February and I have noticed the days are getting longer. Won’t be long now before spring. Keep on going! Thanks for stopping by! 

A Magical Forest for 2025

 

Hello all and Happy 2025! There is much change going on and our future remains uncertain. I am finding that focusing on the magical elements of life is helping me to stay optimistic. Always the future is full of possibilities and what we focus on is what we experience. I am not saying to deny the dark forces that are around us but use them as a way to find the light in the darkest days. 

Attached is my first collage of the year.  One friend described it as “intricate yet serene” and I feel that sums it up well. There is a lot going on with animal life and nature’s lines intertwined. Colors and rhythms flow in a moment of stillness to catch our breath. 

Music is my biggest inspiration and I see this as full of rhythm and harmony and melodies. When I play my own compositions, if they could be visual, I think they would look like this piece. There is an order and flow but a unique vision that only i can see and share. We all have a unique voice. Something that comes to mind is that we each have a unique view and vision.  Embrace that and celebrate that and share that with others. 

So if this is my first collage of the year, that makes me wonder - what lies ahead? What is being called to appear on the horizon?  Only time will tell and I will share with you my next vision . 

I hope this finds you at peace and that you can find some magic in your life. Don’t let the darkness overwhelm you, there have always been dark times. But there have always been people doing good but the media may not be focused on them right now. Thank you for stopping by and wishing you all the best!