Leonard Cohen
Music, a portrait, and the memory of my mother helped me find my way back to painting.
I’ve recently had time to reflect on the music of one of Canada’s great singers, songwriters, and poets: Leonard Cohen.
My appreciation of Leonard Cohen’s music goes back to childhood, when I heard my siblings playing his music throughout our home on Victoria Avenue.
Years later, I found myself oil painting to a setlist that felt like a storybook of his songs. His music was inspirational and calming, helping me settle into a painting mindset.
Recently, I lost a mentor who had always nurtured my artistic path: a storyteller, confidante, and cheerleader. First and foremost, she was my mother, Joy.
For years, she had told us she wanted Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” played at her celebration of life.
I finished this Leonard Cohen painting after a short time of feeling uninspired and out of sorts. I picked myself up, put a little Leonard Cohen on Spotify, and immersed myself in oil painting once again.
I chose this image of Mr. Cohen for the beauty of his closed eyes as he immersed himself in his craft: music.
Christopher Finkle
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — Pablo Picasso
My mother’s encouragement was there at the beginning too, in the story of Rainy Street. I reflect on painting in memory of loved ones in Memoriam.
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