Imagination inspired

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The earliest art project I can remember is a drawing I did in 3rd grade. The medium was crayons on paper. The assignment from the teacher was to listen to a piece of classical music and then draw whatever inspired the imagination. Without really knowing why, I drew planets, stars, and a spaceship. Maybe one of the reasons I remember this drawing is because I won first place! I wasn’t trying to win or trying to make my drawing look like anything in particular. I just started coloring from the ideas that the music generated in my mind.

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I still like to draw all these years later. I enjoy listening to music even more. Sometimes my grown up art projects are a direct result of the music I’ve been hearing. Music is one of the strongest inspirations for my art. For me, there aren’t many things that evoke emotion more than music. That is especially true of the music I’ve enjoyed most in these last few months. The great musical art that I’m referring to is The Burning Edge of Dawn by Andrew Peterson. This is not going to be a traditional review. We already have a great review here on the site.

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Instead, this is a series of drawings I’ve done based on this great album. I’ve never been great with words anyway. I’ll leave that to those who are gifted with eloquence. I’m more comfortable creating with my art supplies (or my guitar, for that matter). These drawings were born from hearing this beautiful and haunting album over the last few months. Keep in mind that 3rd grade project; just as I can’t explain with words why I drew space and a rocket, I can’t precisely explain these pieces either. It reminds me of poetry that I like; the words strike me with a sense of mystery and elusiveness.

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I don’t use crayons anymore. (Maybe I should.) Now I mostly use pencils, pens, and paint. The style I’ve chosen for these drawings is based on the feeling of The Burning Edge of Dawn. Peterson’s album evokes deep emotion, sometimes pain but also abiding joy. I don’t really know why, but this style intuitively emerged. It is pen on paper. I drew each picture without lifting the pen off the paper for the duration.

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Brandon Atwood
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Brandon Atwood

Hey there, my name is Brandon Atwood. You'll see contributions from me that are primarily visual. I love to draw and paint, so when I get inspired I will share it with you. My hope is that my art will help you experience the power of the resurrection in new and fresh ways in this fallen world.

3 thoughts on “Imagination inspired

  • May 1, 2016 at 9:00 am
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    I suspect emotion is a key starting point in a lot of creative mediums. I find I am often most satisfied with my creative writing that started out based entirely on emotion and without really thinking about it logically. That comes later when it is honed. Keep up the great emotion-based work, Brandon.

    Reply
  • August 9, 2016 at 8:23 pm
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    I’d like to see some more emotion-based artwork on here.

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  • August 30, 2017 at 9:43 pm
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    I love these pieces. I want to get a big prints for my wall.

    Reply

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