Music in art: musical themes in art are an integral response to my life as a musician. I play several musical instruments (to varying degrees!): cello, piano, recorder, accordion and guitar. There’s no doubt that my musical experiences, from busking in Covent Garden to touring with bands like Elbow and Snow Patrol, to orchestral work and solo recitals, have inspired the music themes in my drawings.
Story of a feather
I have a collection of many special feathers. The one in this picture belonged to an oriental pheasant at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I worked at YSP during an Andy Goldsworthy exhibition. I was invigilating a large, fragile work made with leaves. It was a hot sunny day and all the windows and doors had been opened. On this day Billy the pheasant, a regular on the YSP grounds, saw his opportunity to wander into the gallery. A priceless artwork and a fluttering pheasant are a dangerous match! One of my colleagues crept up behind Billy and managed to grab him, but Billy flapped his wings and escaped through the French doors, leaving a handful of tail feathers behind. Through one of his feathers the spirit of Billy lives on.
music art
children book illustration
Clarinet Quill
cello girl
Hippo at the Piano
Moon hare
Quill drawing
Quill drawing
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters.
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters.
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters opera singer
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters.
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters.
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters.
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters.
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters.
From a greeting cards range of 12 musical animal characters.
children's music book illustration
children's music book
Arika Rapson 12 illustrations for piano tutor