... más azul ...

Finally had a chance to sit down a write a lil' blurb or two about the 'November Blue' series so far.

Well...so far, I'm diggin' it. 

I began by texting some of my music savvy friends (Side note: I am also VERY into music...I LOVE IT...and I am pretty knowledgeable in many genres and I can usually pick most songs from the first few notes, especially 50's-90's rock...but...ya'll...I have some friends that put me to shame when it comes to music...and I love them for that!)  So I texted my gurus and asked for suggestions on any songs with the word 'blue' in the title.  Then I thought about it, and I expanded it to also include significant 'blue' references within the song lyrics as well (hence Ani DiFranco's 'Sorry I Am' on November 2nd)  I created a spreadsheet with everyone's suggestions and left some space at the bottom to write in more choices...let's just say there will be more than enough music to choose from!

A few things to mention...so far the series is figurative, focusing on the female form...'cause ladies are just so beautiful.  I don't necessarily mean for the work to be sad, rather, I want to show a feeling of contemplation, so some seriousness which is a little different from many of the wide-eyed whimsical gals that usually inhabit my artwork.  Many of the figures so far have their eyes closed or looking away, for me I feel this is how many of us look when we are really feeling the music, you close your eyes and allow it to transport you to another place.  

Sometimes I have additional meaning attached to the songs beyond just being 'on my list'...examples include;
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November 1, 'November Blue', The Avett Brothers
The first piece in the series, and what I chose to name the series after- a band from NC that is special to all of us ECU School of Art and Design Alums 'cause we are all super proud of all of these NC boys, but especially Scott Avett- he's one of us!  When I was in undergrad he shared a painting studio across the hall with my roommate, Sally, it was right across from he surface design studio and down the hall from the weaving studio where I spent all of my time.  I actually entertained the idea of doing an all-Avett themed series...but I really wanted to work with monochromatic blue and I didn't feel like all of their songs would fit, and I didn't want to be restricted...so...maybe in the future I will still do that series.  

November 2, 'Sorry I Am', Ani DiFranco
This was my girl Gin's suggestion...anything-Ani was always my go-to female empowerment jam anytime I wanted to be reminded that I too could be a 'righteous babe'.  I also shared this love of Ani with my college roomie, Sally, so I always think of her and Gin when one of Ani's songs come on.

November 3, 'Day Old Blues' , Kings of Leon
I mentioned this already on Instagram...but KOL is basically the soundtrack for my month in Japan in the summer of 2009.  My iPod somehow lost ALL of my music...like...EVERY...SONG. My husband sent me a flashdrive and I just asked for KOL...and so it came to be that every trip on the Shinkansen, every walk to and from the temples...looking at the ancient structures with the modern skylines in the background, all of that experience...in my earphones Kings of Leon was playing.

November 5, 'Stella Blue', Grate Dead
I actually wasn't really familliar with this song until I started my month-long (and some change) exploration of the GD's music in preparation for the Fare the Well Tour this past summer in Chicago.  Anytime I hear their music I remember that moment at the show when they opened up with 'Box of Rain' and I just cried it was so beautiful.  (To see that whole 'Grateful Dead Series' click here)  I still tear up when I think about it...and I don't mind because it reminds me of how amazing  that experience was.

November 6, 'Tangled Up In Blue' , Bob Dylan
Well, my girl Gin snatched this one up even before the paint dried...but I made I thinking of my husband, John.  (no worries, I am painting him a larger version!) He reminds me so much of Bob Dylan, he is an old soul and has a way with words...a ramblin' man...kind...and has a poetic spirit that many folks would never know about. 

...so that's where I am at with this series.  From time to time I may mention significance in a song if there is something specific...but sometimes...heck, I just like it.  Some of the suggestions will be mine, and some will be from my 'jam gurus'...in no order: Johnny Nice, Gin, Brian, Fish, Ryan G, Justin, Ryan H, Joey, Kyle, Mino...there may be more, but these are the main folks that contributed to my 'OCPD Spreadsheet Madess'.  

And I love'em for that.