Title: Guitar Notes

Ah the guitar, the venerable bad boy of musical instruments. This is an acoustic, so it keeps the trouble “down to earth” as opposed to the electric variety.

Inspired by many guitarists and guitar songs over the years but I think I owe this one to the gypsy jazz master, Django Reinhardt who has wowed countless generations with his brilliant style. Most of his recordings were done on acoustic or big-body guitars.

The Crazy Notes series is my colorful tribute to musical instruments in their many forms. I am so amazed at the mechanics and beauty of these implements. They are truly functional works of art.

These pieces were created by doing some white-space masking and then watercolor washes over top. Plastic wrap was laid on top to create pools, troughs, and ridges. I sometimes leave it on to dry while other times it was removed when things had sufficiently taken shape. Finally I came back with pen and ink to add details and flare.

Musical whimsy

Ink on Watercolor.

Original Music & Musical Art by Bart Castle