by Charlie Rauh (New York City) and Liza Merkalova (Adelaide)

-from art to music to art again-

For this interdisciplinary collaboration, painter Liza Merkalova sent musician Charlie Rauh an existing painting of hers; Woman With Emerald Ring.

Charlie then used this painting as inspiration and composed a new piece of music; Resurgam.

Liza then used this music as a source of inspiration to create a new painting; Sun Keeper.

Please enjoy this video representation of the process.

(video by Eric Andrews)

“The painting of music (as well as poetry) requires an almost complete repeal of the artist's personality, and deep immersion into the personality of the musician or poet. It's like embodying the essence of distant values. This is a particularly difficult task, since every painting is always about the artist themselves.” - Liza Merkalova

Click images to enlarge

“My process for creating this new music is rooted in patience.  I hope to create a space that invites peace and wonder that is delivered with simplicity.  I took some time to just sit and look at Liza’s painting, Woman With Emerald Ring, and almost immediately composer my solo guitar piece, Resurgam.  In the painting, a woman sits alone staring off to the distance. It brought on a wave of blunt reality - that so many around the world are waiting to see what will become of them and their communities.  As a New Yorker, with thousands dying and the city’s vibrancy being brutally depleted, I wanted to write a lullaby for everyone as well as myself. A reminder that we will see the other side of this.  So I composed Resurgam, which in Latin means ‘I shall rise again”.’ - Charlie Rauh

Charlie Rauh talks with SDF creator Nick Green about the process of translating art to music.

Liza Merkalova

Check out Liza’s amazing work on our site, as well as her website, facebook, and instagram. You can also purchase her work at bluethumb and saatchi art.

Charlie Rauh

You can listen to Charlie’s amazing work here on the site, as well as on his website, through his instagram, and on bandcamp. Also here’s another pretty great performance of his.

I think Charlie’s a freaking star.