Drawing Music :: Portico Quartet

I fell in love with the music of Portico Quartet through the internet radio; I knew they were young musicians from United Kingdom and their music made me think of Steve Reich, The Cinematic Orchestra and The Lounge Lizards. There are also nostalgic, almost Rachmaninov-like melodies that thread through Portico's ambient, experimental jazz with hints of electronica. There are 3 hang drums (walnut-looking shapes on stands in the drawings below) that have unique sound.

*Drawn on my iPhone 
On view in MoMA NYC in augmented reality >

*Drawn on my iPhone
On view in MoMA NYC in augmented reality >

*Drawn on my iPhone

Two days ago I heard Portico Quartet is in New York, playing a show in Greenpoint at Coco66. Couldn't miss this one! Portico's live performance stunned me and my friends. There's a link below if you'd like to check out some new, beautiful sounds. This is their first US tour-they are pretty much unknown here (literally, less than 20 people showed up)-but I'm sure time will take care of that. Portico's new album Isla is solid good. It's exciting to have something so wholesomely beautiful, layered and sophisticated to listen to. Ahhh....

View a video of Portico Quartet

Looking ahead

*Drawn on my iPhone

Album Cover for a Toy Pianist

I was recently commissioned to do an album cover for a unique musician - a toy pianist! Her name is Phyllis Chen.

We first met virtually, after I posted my drawings of her from the Look & Listen Festival. 

Phyllis knew exactly what she wanted on her album cover-a carousel. I was only happy to oblige-I love drawing carousels! So we met one drizzling weekend in Bryant Park and Phyllis rode the carousel while I drew. And...here's her album cover illustration. Can't wait to see the final package and hear the album. I wish Phyllis much luck with it.

Paris :: Part 4 : Notre Dame de Paris

 

French for Our Lady Of Paris, Notre Dame is magnificent.

Since my childhood in Moscow, I fantasized about Notre Dame-a friend brought me a cardboard model of the Cathedral when I was about 10. The model I assembled lived on a bookshelf. Did I know then I'd be walking though this very Cathedral 20 years later?

Brooklyn-bound

*drawn on my iPhone

Manhattan-bound

*drawn on my iPhone

Paris :: Part 3 : Montmartre

Atop Montmartre sits a rare jewel Sacré-Cœur. Despite it's grandeur, this white church feels miniature to me, as if it's an exquisite brooch decorating the highest point in Paris.

The streets of Montmartre, by contrast with the lightness of Basilica, are dense with color, crowds, art vendors, cafe umbrellas and smell of crepes...

I stumbled upon a two-story white building that once was a studio where Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Modigliani, Dali and others have worked at some point in the 19th century. I tried to imagine Montmartre back then: a quiet, desolate bohemian retreat. You don't see a soul, just hear remote footsteps, a glass shatters, laughter. And then...Eric Satie's melancholy piano sets in...

Paris :: Part 2 : Le Tour De France 2010

...Up until the day of the race, I couldn't imagine enjoying the event as much as I did.

During the last leg, cyclists make 9 rounds on Champs-Élysées, circling Arc de Triomphe, passing Rue de Rivoli (where I was "stationed".) And I was so thankful for those 9 rounds, because after 8 hours of anticipation, when first motorcycles of cortege appeared around the corner with roaring of the crowd, the Tour zooooomed by and was GONE in a blink of an eye! A few swooshes on the page...

Ahh...the cyclists were beautiful in their tension and speed. They looked like creatures made of mercury.

Similar to Olympic games of Ancient Greece, in honor of which wars between city-states were postponed for the duration of tournaments, Le Tour De France has an air of reconciliation. At least in my eyes. I tend to romanticize, but it's really a significant event-all cultures get involved. Turns out it was Revolutionary France that first emulated the ancient Olympics in late 19th century, for the first time since 426 AD. That event was called L'Olympiade de la République. Bravo, France!!

More drawings are in "Waiting For The Race" post >

Paris :: Part 1 : Waiting For The Race

I am back from a 2-week trip to Paris with new experiences to share with you, in drawings.

The brightest event was, no doubt, the last leg of Tour De France! Friends and I got out early to claim our spots, as the crowds gathered to cheer for the race. It was empty on Rue De Rivoli at 7.30 am. By 1 pm, the street in front of the Louvre was a stampede. Colorful array of flags and languages from around the world shook the air. The race was expected to pass us about 4pm, so there was plenty of time to people-watch.

Strangers made acquaintances with whoever was standing next to them, clinking their giant beer glasses and waving their national flags. A lonely American flag, hanging from the hotel window, was drowned in the sea of Norwegian, British and Spanish colors. The statue of Jean of Arc right in the middle added just the right spirit.