Music & Creativity

The Art of Sound: How Music Influenced the Masters

Art and music have always been intertwined—two distinct yet deeply emotional languages. For many classical artists, music wasn’t just a source of pleasure; it was a creative partner, shaping their rhythm, mood, and vision.

“Color is the keyboard” – Wassily Kandinsky

Houses of Murnau by Wassily Kandinsky

Perhaps no artist explored the connection between music and visual art more deeply than Wassily Kandinsky, the pioneer of abstract art. Synesthetic by nature, Kandinsky quite literally heard colors and saw sounds.

“Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings.”
— Wassily Kandinsky

Kandinsky believed that just as music could express emotion without words, abstract shapes and colors could do the same without realistic imagery. His works often feel like visual symphonies—layered, rhythmic, and deeply expressive.

“I put my heart and soul into my work” – Vincent van Gogh

Though often tormented by inner conflict, Vincent van Gogh found comfort in music—particularly in its emotional resonance. While he didn’t write extensively about sound, he often used musical language to describe his process and the feelings behind his brushstrokes.

“When I hear music, I don’t just hear it—I see it in color, in shape, in passion. It becomes something I need to paint.”
— Vincent van Gogh (paraphrased from letters)

He referenced composers like Wagner in his letters and was captivated by the way music could “speak of things we cannot put into words.”

“Art washes away the dust of daily life” – Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was known not only for his visual genius but also for his immersion in music. A lover of Spanish guitar and classical compositions, Picasso often painted with music playing in the background.

“Music and art are the guiding lights of the world.”
— Pablo Picasso

His early works, especially from his Blue and Rose periods, show an emotional resonance that many say parallels the melancholic tone of traditional Spanish music.

Inspiration Beyond the Canvas

The influence of music wasn’t limited to painters. Sculptors, architects, and even writers of the 19th and 20th centuries often referenced music as a tool for concentration, emotion, and flow.

• Paul Klee, both a painter and violinist, said:

  “Music is the ultimate teacher.”

• Claude Monet reportedly preferred working in silence, but compared the act of painting to the sensation of “hearing light.”

These classical voices echo what many modern artists still feel today: that music is not an accessory to creativity—it is a core ingredient.

Today’s Studio Soundtrack

Fast-forward to now, and artists still rely on music to help them:

• Get into a creative flow state

• Match the emotional tone of their subject

• Escape distractions and connect with their inner voice

Some build elaborate playlists; others let the rhythm guide their hands without thinking. But the result is the same—art that feels alive, layered, and soulful.

Harmony Between the Arts

The dialogue between music and visual art is timeless. As Picasso, Kandinsky, and van Gogh showed us, sound doesn’t just influence art—it infuses it with spirit. Whether it’s a gentle melody or a crashing crescendo, music helps artists connect to something deeper than thought.

“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.”
— Pablo Casals, Spanish Cellist and Composer

So the next time you pick up a brush, pencil, or tablet, try pressing play. Let the music guide your hand. After all, even the masters needed a muse—and many found it in music.

Inspiration

Finding Inspiration as an Artist: Staying Open, Curious, and Creative

Every artist, no matter how experienced, runs into the same question:

“Where do I find inspiration?”

Some days it flows effortlessly. Other days, it’s nowhere to be found. But inspiration isn’t just about waiting for a spark — it’s about learning how to see, feel, and respond to the world around you.

Here are some thoughtful ways to stay inspired and nurture your creative spirit.

1. Reconnect with Nature

Nature is one of the most timeless sources of inspiration. From the way sunlight filters through leaves to the intricate details of a seashell, there’s endless beauty waiting to be noticed.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein

Take your sketchbook on a walk. Let the textures, sounds, and colors find their way into your art. Even a short break outside can shift your perspective and refresh your creativity.

2. Travel — Even Just Down the Street

You don’t need a passport to discover something new. Sometimes, inspiration is right around the corner — in a new café, a mural you’ve never noticed, or the way light hits a familiar street differently.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

Take photos, jot down feelings, or collect small mementos from your journeys. These details can later be transformed into meaningful artwork.

3. Surround Yourself with Creative Energy

Inspiration often comes from community. When you connect with other artists, their passion can reignite your own. Collaborate, share, ask questions — being in dialogue with others keeps your creative well full.

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” – Albert Einstein

Join an online art group, take a workshop, or spend time in galleries. You never know what idea a single conversation might spark.

4. Find the Beauty in Daily Life

Inspiration doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes, it’s found in the most ordinary moments — your dog sleeping at your feet, the ritual of your morning coffee, the quiet comfort of home.

“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” – Twyla Tharp

Try creating a daily sketch or visual journal entry. These seemingly simple pieces often become the most intimate and powerful.

5. Trust the Ebbs and Flows

There will be days when inspiration doesn’t show up — and that’s part of the process. Don’t let the quiet moments scare you. They’re often a necessary pause before your next creative breakthrough.

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” – Pablo Picasso

Show up, even if all you do is mix colors or doodle in the margins. The act of creating itself invites inspiration in.

Final Thoughts

Inspiration is everywhere — in nature, in people, in quiet mornings and messy sketches. The key is to stay curious, stay open, and keep your heart and hands engaged.

So go outside. Explore. Talk. Rest. Play. And most importantly — keep creating.

“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.” – Kurt Vonnegut