This is the last in this art series. Up next will be an Antonio Vivaldi Classical work to clear my mind of pop music. When finished, I once again will return to do, this time three small artworks, with the theme, songs sung lead by a woman. What I have in mind is a solo show at the Arc Gallery down in the Chicago area that takes submission. Women manage it, with its primary focus, I believe being women artists. That makes sense. But they have male guest artists. My maybe-I-might-fit-in, if they take me serious, is to present them with an exhibition proposal that is all the music sung or performed by women.

To my surprise, I have painted four songs in 2024 with lead singers by Sia, Tracy Chapman, Dolores O’Riordan, and Linda Perry. I could reworked early artworks with women’s leads, but I would rather portray new music. I say this after looking through the list of finished artworks, now over 200 works. The music numbers of men I have painted vastly outnumber women. Disappointing, considering I listen to a lot of women singers.

I have noticed a trend over the last few years that when I am done with a project; I find it hard to find any new thoughts to comment on the final image. That leads me to just babbled out some generic that-a-boy thoughts. What I know is that after weeks of work, the passion is gone, and I simply need closure to move on. These feelings I have felt guilty about until I watched a YouTube video interview that Dan Rather had with Neil Young. At the 8 minute mark Dan asked Neil “if we’re going to play one Neil Young song what are we going to play?” Neil responded, “I can’t say,” “that’s what other people are for. I only create the songs I don’t …have the future of the songs in mind…….(this says what I feel)…….I will take care of it until it’s gone until I get it out there and then I feel like I’ve done.” Neil Young put into words what I surely felt when done the work is now out there, even if it is still in my Studio. What lingers on with every finished artwork is the hope that eventually others will discover, and feel, what I once felt.

Here are a few round up words about this artwork. First, I enjoy using my scrap wood, that comes with unlimited possibilities, that I should have made standard use years ago. My use of words will continue. Also, I know what the words are, and why they are there, so they don’t have to be so obvious. They just have to be there for the music. I also enjoy mixing up different color combinations, even if they don’t fit perfectly. It’s my art. This art has no rules, no frames, no one to please, and a simply message.

Each artwork derives its meaning from its melody, lyrics, story, or a combination of these features. This is where the conceptional part of the artwork comes in. For me this is innovative art, and not an example of today’s contemporary art: artists all grasping to find an unused hook. And if the art’s meaning is not obvious (Guernica) and therefore you have to read its info to figure out the works message, I say there is no here to see. I believe art should not teach, but entertain. If an arts meaning is not obvious, then I say quickly pass by. I don’t want any artist, of all people, to preach, lecture, or shower me with guilt. My philosophy comes from LCD Soundsystem, “Shut up and play the hits.“

Scott Von Holzen