Category: 2024

S_V_H A final image of Vivaldi RV578 Larghetto

Published on by Scott Von Holzen
Formal final image of Vivaldi’s RV578 Larghetto
≈ H40.5xL60.25xD7 inches
Earlier portrait of Vivaldi _Larghetto with an alternative arrangement
Vivaldi Larghetto displaying a Vivaldi quote and the artist’s attempt at cursive writing in the style of D’Nealian script.

This artwork is an example of the versatility of this art in arranging music, detailed in the video, and illustrated in the examples below. In the video I demonstrated two different alternate arrangements. The second example in the video is an obvious error. To better make my point below are five different arrangements (a challenge to find) that each keep the artworks musical flow the same. The unique aspect of this art lies in its capacity to change its visual presentation, possibly positioning it within the realm of Installation art.

I mentioned in the video comments on this arts use of color to add contrast and interest and less about caring about the actually colors or shades chosen or their relationship with each other. That comes from my disliking how many of today’s artworks stick to the traditional color rules in their artworks. The get-along approach to color and therefore the prettier the better fits well with contemporary art. Instead, (obviously I am not trying to market this painting) I use color as a tool to present to the viewer how I see and feel about the music.

Scott Von Holzen

S_V_H Final images for What Have I Done

Published on by Scott Von Holzen
What Have I Done ≈ 36×37.5×5.75 inches
Snippet of What Have I done. (I have equalized the music in this recording, and all other recordings, to sound as best as possible within the limitations of the sound system built into the artwork)

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.“

Antonio Vivaldi’s RV578 Larghetto canvases. This is a late post. I have been working a week or more on this next project.



Scott Von Holzen

S_V_H Final image of Into My Arms

Published on by Scott Von Holzen3 Comments
Into My Arms ≈ L46.5″xH39″xD6.5“

Into My Arms is done. I started this project on July 13th and finished it on the 30th. That is still longer than my goal of completing a work in two weeks. That goal was more of an idea to increase this art production, which it has, than the plan.

I have now completed eight of these smaller, small artworks. The goal was to create a group of smaller artworks that would allow me to stack and pack enough to apply to galleries and art centers out of this local area. Now that I have the numbers I need for a show, I am going to switch to professionalizing my bio, and the creation of an Artist Statement. Then next up would be to create a Exhibit Statement, update my CV (resume), write a brief description of this art, a document explaining why this art deserves an exhibition, a artist statement, make site image improvements on my .com website, and maybe spend a small amount of time on building my next project.

Into My Arms music box with audio playback.

I found this interesting and something that has not been an issue for years. With this artwork video I had a YouTube copyright claim (no harm done) on the audio by the music owners for 46 seconds of my cover music. That surprised me for audio under a minute. I am also applying for a cover license (paying for 25 music boxes) for the one and only one Into My Arms Music Box. That license will be for 58 seconds of the music. I have the choice to follow up on this with YouTube, but why bother? Instead, I downloaded the video from YouTube (much smaller size than what I uploaded) to use here on the blog, by passing YouTube. In reality, my videos over the 14 years I have been blogging, all link to YouTube. I am sure YouTube likes that to capture more views of other videos from more popular content creators. I will leave the YouTube video as is, because neither the YouTube, the owners, nor I care. For me it all about documentation of this artists long and winding artistic Journey, Don’t Stop believin’, “It goes on and on and on and on.”

Scott Von Holzen

(updated August 1st)

I needed to post the YouTube version of this video because some email users were having access issues with the embed video.
30 seconds of the cover music for the music box Into My Arms.

Scott Von Holzen