Tuesday 21 June 2011

Inspired by Whitesnake - Forevermore!


YouTube Film by janeyb65 (a person in Newcastle City Hall audience)

Very occasionally I hear a music track that so resonates with me that I know I am going to be playing it non-stop for years. Such is the title track of Whitesnake's 'Forevermore' album.

Last week I saw Whitesnake live for the first time, at Newcastle City Hall, where we also had the wondrous priviledge of meeting David Coverdale backstage! Of all the concerts I've ever been to, this was the absolute best. Whitesnake are everything one could want in a rock band, with each member bringing their own special brilliance, and David Coverdale is a true 'rock god'.

You can see and hear the live performance of Forevermore at the City Hall on the YouTube film above, made by a person in the audience. It's great to be able to re-live the experience of such a fantastic evening! If you can get to see the band live, do - and get the album too!

After the concert towards dawn I was gazing at the trees, listening to Forevermore, and was envisioned to create the painting shown below. First I sketched the idea, then worked on the painting in oil pastel and watercolour over the last few days. I think this is the first time I've been inspired to paint from a music track - there's something so powerful about the song, I felt I just had to.


Forevermore - mixed media painting by North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre North East art for sale Durham artist Ingrid Sylvestre

10 comments:

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I was just going through an 80's rock thing yesterday. I loved Whitesnake back then and hadn't heard this song yet. It really is good. How cool that you got to meet them. It's pretty amazing at how music can influence people. I love your painting! I bet they would take it as a huge compliment to see what their music inspired.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Catherine!

Whitesnake's new Forevermore album is brilliant - my other favourite on it is the first track, Steal Your Heart Away.

Malyss said...

Sometimes, inspiration takes us in unexpected moments and unexpected ways..You were right to react immediately, following your feeling! The result is so pretty and strong!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Malyss! I so agree that it is right to act immediately on one's inspiration - otherwise the moment is gone, and maybe impossible to recall.

Rune Eide said...

I have to admit that Whitesnake is new to me, but then I'm an old man :-) Maybe it was Newcastle and some of th sound that made me think of Sting.

The painting had an exceptional depth that wanted to to grip me. Would suit Tolkien very much.

Phoenix C. said...

RuneE, if Whitesnake is new to you, then you can have a real treat discovering all their music! They are touring Europe at the moment, though I don't see Norway on the list.

Tolkien is another of my revered sources of inspiration - thank you! I was very influenced by Lord of the Rings in my early years, and I'm sure it has moulded a lot of my love of landscape and especially trees and forests.

Maureen Walsh said...

I love your inspired work of art! Isn't it glorious to have the freedom to be able to respond to inspiration almost immediately, since it burns a hole in your soul until it is expressed! X

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Maureen!

I find that some inspiration for paintings has to be worked on immediately, and others I do sketches for and let them kind of mature in my mind, and then work them into paintings later - even years later!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Lol, finally I know how people feel when they find out I like Eminem & the Sex Pistols. :)

Phoenix C. said...

People expect me to like rock music, Monica - it's the singing Neckmann giraffe family that they find surprising! :)