The Blues Lives On – Diptych

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The Blues Lives On

So, “Let the Blues open the door to your soul”.

The Blues Lives On for it has deep roots in American history, particularly African-American history. In fact, the Blues originated on Southern plantations in the 19th Century. For, its inventors were slaves, ex-slaves and the descendants of slaves—African-American sharecroppers who sang as they toiled in the cotton and vegetable fields.

Additionally, it’s generally accepted that the music evolved from African spirituals, African chants, work songs, field hollers, rural fife and drum music, revivalist hymns, and country dance music. All honesty, these songs came from the area near the mouth of the Mississippi River. For, the blues grew up in the Mississippi Delta just upriver from New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Moreover, the first blues songs were called “Delta Blues”. Did you know, the Blues is usually played with a saxophone in jazzy style. “The Blues” comes from the “Blue Devils”, which means depression and misery.

The Blues Lives On Through My Paintings

If I said I love listening to the Blues while I paint, that would be an understatement. Indeed, the blues has a way of touching my soul and connecting with the entire me – from my toes to my fingers and my conscious and subconscious brain. This diptych, titled “The Blues Lives On” is a tribute to the music of the Blues that will always live with me and in me.

Even now, the Blues is full of larger-than-life characters and some of my favorite blues artists are Muddy Waters, BB King, Eric Clapton, Etta James, Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimi Hendrix and so many more.

“If you don’t know the blues… there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music.” – Keith Richards

Dare to Feel,

Red

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