Back in January I wrote how Jerry was making a new violin. when he finished it I decided to sketch it (of course). This is the first sketch of the new violin in our house. This is also a EDM challenge sketch #17 which reads Draw a musical instrument
Then the following day I decided to make a page spread to celebrate that he had actually finished building it. I think it’s sort of magic how someone can make a musical instrument.
I am still working in my hand bound journal and some of the paper is smooth for writing but I wanted an interesting surface to sketch on as I wanted to capture a little more of the feel of the instrument. I tore up some old sheet music and used Gesso to glue it to the pages. I then used watercolour paints, inktense pencils, artist pitt pens, and colour pencils to draw the violin.
I thought I would share some of the process and the finished page spread. Click on the images to see larger versions.
If you want to hear it Jerry made a youtube video to share with some facebook mates. You can view and hear it below.
How exciting and congratulations! And what an amazing performance. It has the flavour of a Scottish/Irish folk song.
Louisa you are right the tune is in the Celtic tradition
It sounds just great! Good to see you again, Jerry!
Thanks Allie – I was pretty happy with how it came out 🙂
Love the page you did. Son is listening to classic music so can’t play Jerry. Love that he made a violin.
Hi Beth – I love Sharon’s drawing too – a great way to celebrate the achievement 🙂
I love that you shared the video too! I think of Shelby Foote when I hear that tune – they used it on the PBS Ken Burns film of the Civil War and I’d never heard it before, but I love it since. And Shelby Foote had such a great narrative voice talking about the South – such a great historian. It was so cool that Jerry made a violin – just incredible. And I love what you did with the mixed media painting – very inventive and appropriate! An inspiration!
Thanks Kristin pleased you liked the tune – I find it very haunting
Thanks Kristin – the tune is in a traditional style – it is called Ashokan Farewell written in 1986 by Jay Unger to commemorate the submerging of an old town after a dam was built. I enjoy the tune because Canberra too, was partly submerged to create an artificial lake in the city. And I too love Sharon’s treatment of the sketch 🙂
Thanks Sharon for sharing and Jerry for his wonderful rendition of the Celtic tune. Yes, haunting and it raised goosebumps which are still running down from my head and my back.
DH also enjoyed the playing very much and both are impressed with the violin.
I’ll have to replay the video again…are there other of Jerry’s tunes videoed?
Hi Maureen – I’m glad you both enjoyed the playing – I think it’s great that Sharon drew the instrument 🙂
Amazing that he has made his own violin and the sound is beautiful. Your drawings celebrate it beautifully. xx
Thanks Lin 🙂 I’m pleased you like the sound 🙂
I am so excited about Jerry building his own violin – this is wonderful – a great art and even more excites me that I could listen to his play – I love the tune – Hello Jerry: Congratulations.You have all my admiration. Sharon this time he stole you the show – but anyway your drawing is perfect and will always remind you of the moments when he first played on his instrument – the Australian Stradivari!
Hugs to you both from Germany.
*waves* Hi Anneliese – I’m very happy with the way the violin turned out, but love that Sharon chose to draw the instrument – as you say, it is a great way to remember the achievement 🙂
Oh that’s fab – spread and the violin! Great we get to see Jerry playing – I know the tune as ‘Rose of Tralee’?
Hi Jules – the tune is Ashokan Farewell – a modern tune in the celtic style 🙂
It was so lovely to hear the beautiful music created by the violin that you have drawn. Great mixed media and documenting the object that is now a part of your lives.
What a wonderful celebration of both arts. Enjoyed listening Jerry. Sorry I missed the ‘follow along’ if there was one 🙂 Love to you both
So Beautifully captured! – the depth of tone and the variance of notes, all translated into texture and colour in your book!
Jerry, There is something really wonderful about constructing an instrument. Your creation begets creation( whether it is yours, or someone else’s beautiful music!).
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Barbara M
Thanks Barbara – Jerry is making another now!