I Got Rhythm

Rhythm is as necessary in a picture as pigment; it is as much a part of painting as music.~Walter J. Phillips

My father loved music. He always had the latest albums and the latest contraptions to play them on.  My love of music began at 3 years old in Alaska. Army pals would drop by for the latest songs produced from my father’s homemade Hi-Fi and find me doing my scarf dance to the repetitive beat.  I have to laugh, yet was this the moment I discovered rhythm?

Rhythm is one of the elements of composition in art. How important is rhythm in composition?  I believe it’s the soul of the painting.  It has the beat just like music. It’s where the viewer senses the feeling the pulse. It’s a repetition yet with slight variations of pattern.  Each painting stroke is as a note in music; unified yet unique.

Pattern and repetition are essential to rhythm. You may discover repetition of shapes or color that create a pattern. But, there has to be a slight variation to prevent monotony. As my teacher would say “Nature never repeats itself”.  

Rhythm is the harmony or dissonance in the painting.  It can create tension or relaxation, sadness or, thoughtfulness, joy or excitement.  It is the vibe of the painting.  

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G7UIeYGq0k[/youtube]

Do you “Got Rhythm”?

Painting above: “I Got Rhythm”, 36″ x 36″ acrylic on museum wrapped canvas, price $3240

*ART20K footage completed 16,374 square inches

*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA.   You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237.  Thank you!