As both a visual artist and a musician, I’m constantly fascinated by the interplay between different art forms. Music, in particular, has always been a powerful source of inspiration for my drawings and paintings. Lately, I’ve found myself deeply immersed in the sonic landscape of my band, The Last Electric Rodeo, and our music has started to bleed onto the page in exciting new ways.
My latest piece is a direct product of that creative fusion. It’s a vibrant, yet darkly evocative, work inspired by two of our band’s songs: “Black Rose” and “Jornada del Muerto.” These tracks, with their blend of haunting melodies, driving rhythms, and evocative lyrics, conjured up a specific mood and imagery in my mind. I found myself drawn to the rich visual heritage of the Day of the Dead, with its iconic sugar skulls and vibrant colors.
This piece was a journey from start to finish. It began as a simple pencil sketch, an attempt to capture the essence of the music on paper. Then came the inks, where the image really started to take shape. The final stage, adding color, was where the piece truly came alive. I used Adobe Photoshop to create a vibrant, almost electric atmosphere. I experimented with a slightly different approach to the coloring on this one.
The original black and white drawing, an 11″ x 17″ ink piece on Bristol board, will be available for purchase in my book of original art at the upcoming Shadow Con in Orlando on February 1st. It’s always exciting to offer these one-of-a-kind pieces to collectors and fans.
More Than Just a Drawing – A Reflection of the Music
This piece is more than just a drawing to me. It’s a visual representation of the music that inspired it. “Black Rose” and “Jornada del Muerto” are two songs that hold a special place in our band’s repertoire. They are a bit darker, a bit more mysterious, and they explore themes of love, loss, and mortality – themes that resonate deeply with the Day of the Dead imagery.
I’m not sure where this piece will end up – maybe it’ll become a poster, a T-shirt design, or something else entirely. But regardless of its future, it stands as a testament to the power of music to inspire visual art, and vice-versa.
Come See the Original at Shadow Con!
If you’re planning to be at Shadow Con in Orlando on February 1st, be sure to stop by my table! I’ll have the original black and white line art of this piece, along with a wide selection of other original artwork, prints, and my self-published comic books, Shanghai and Extraterrestrial. It’s always a pleasure to connect with fellow art and music lovers.
You can hear the music that inspired this piece by visiting The Last Electric Rodeo’s website. We have some exciting news coming very soon, so be sure to follow us on social media to stay updated.
What do you think of this new piece? Let me know in the comments below!