My studio floor image for Yellow came together fast. After doing the gigantic Don’t Give Up, I thought I needed a motivational directional change to a smaller, simpler project. Yellow’s length will be about 8 feet and narrow, with the use of 10-inch canvases. I plan on using two 24-inch steel plates to bridge the gaps. I will use the smaller 4-inch two-way speakers on both end canvases. Those canvases will rise out front of the center canvas to increase the volume size of the speaker boxes, and add interest.

When I was working on Don’t Give Up I wanted to go big in order to make an impression. Its final length was 14 feet. The artwork’s debut public display was at The Art Garage with an EmptyWallsArt group show in Green Bay, Wisconsin. As expected, this exhibition appeared to be my normal display routine which starts with hanging the art. Followed by removing the art, with little to no token feedback or suspect praise. And then finally, store the art. Except this time would be different. Near the closing of the exhibition, surprised a woman wearing a plain summer dress on this hot summer day, walked into the show.

My wife Barbie and I were soon after removing the artwork when I noticed she was sitting behind the reception desk talking to our host Lindsay. When we were ready to leave, I approached them. Without introduction, I thanked them for the opportunity to show. I don’t recall details of our conversation, but this late-arriving person knew that the musical work was mine. She told me how much everyone enjoyed the piece. I remember saying something like how kind she was to say that. And catching me off guard, she said no, I really mean it. She said the artwork was the most talked about in the show. In my years of hearing platitudes of painting music, her simple honesty was refreshing. When I spoke later to Barbie, she recalled the words hit of the show and that there was a mention of the enjoyment of the artwork that plays music.

I emailed our host, Lindsay, from the Art Garage asking what her first name was. Lindsay quickly responded: “That is so sweet! Her name is Wendy Wimmer Schuchart, and she is the president of the Board at The Art Garage. She’ll be delighted at a mention!” I knew this work would never sell (listed $9,000) but what I wanted from this exhibition was that my artwork would make a statement about this art and our group. Wendy’s words confirmed to me I met that goal. Lindsay even spoke of a return show next year. Otherwise, no others at the reception, including my fellow artists, mentioned a single word about the work. We all packed up and went our separate ways.

Getting the basics of cover music right before using my finishing application StudioOne saves time and effort. I created this audio draft with the notation software Notion. It sounds good, and later in StudioOne, I will open up the sound stage, especially the piano.

I am building my cover from another cover of Yellow by Brooklyn Duo. The original song by Coldplay is guitar-focused and rocks hard in its presentation. The Brooklyn Duo cover better fits my cover musical style. My main voice will be the cello, backed up by an alto flute and held together by the piano.

Here is the original version by the band Coldplay, released on the debut 2000 album Parachutes.