My inspiration for this painting is my love of music. I love all the different musical instruments and their shapes that describe them.

My goal for this design was to work in a square format, which is more difficult to arrange shapes in than using the traditional rectangular composition. I began gathering the materials — sketches and photos. I completed many sketches and had to narrow down which instruments would be best for the square format. I did not have enough sketches, so I did more in different sizes and used tracing paper for each one and arranged them on my support, a 300 pound watercolor paper. I do not cut up my original sketches, as I re-use them for other designs. The 300 pound paper is tough and it withstands buckling and works well for this size. I use lots of water to dilute the acrylic matte medium when gluing the papers to it. I do put weights on the collage after it is done to keep it flat.

When beginning a collage I also get the mat, frame and glass ready. Most of the time I lay the mat on the design to get a better idea how the composition is working. That encloses the design and I am able to move the shapes around and find a better design.

I narrowed down the instruments to a violin, sax, french horn, clarinet and piano. The next step was to choose colors which is difficult for me because I love them all! I began using a red oxide-burnt sienna for the violin. Sorting through my large inventory of hand-painted acrylic collage papers, I picked out other reds and its complement green. Using a limited palette unifies and strengthens the composition. Sometimes at this point I discover I do not have enough of a color and have to stop and paint a sheet. While working and editing shapes I decided some sheet music by Debussy would be appropriate to add to the background.

I always get more ideas for the next collage and write them down so I do not forget them. Lately I have used an index card while I work to do this. The paints I use are either Liquitex or Golden. The main colors in this painting are red oxide, dioxazine purple, light teal, lavender and cadmium red.