Gary J. Kirkpatrick

Category: Music related work

  • Not Just Another Pretty Face/ No Es Solo Otra Cara Bonita (painting)

    Not Just Another Pretty Face/ No Es Solo Otra Cara Bonita (painting)

    Not Just Another Pretty Face, acrylics 1.8 x 1.3 meters/5.9 x 4.3′

    I find endless inspiration in musical performance, and this original acrylic painting on canvas, “Not Just Another Pretty Face/ No Es Solo Otra Cara Bonita”, is the latest exploration of that theme. Here, a piano player takes center stage, rendered with both abstract and expressionist elements. The oversized canvas is a study in contrasts: light and dark, color and tone, and a blend of artistic styles.

    The fluid strokes of acrylic paint create a dynamic interplay between realism and expressionism. The figurative elements of the piano player are grounded in reality, while the surrounding abstract textures evoke the passionate atmosphere of a live musical performance.

    This piece makes a dramatic statement, vibrant energy and thought-provoking composition.

  • Pianist and Dancers, painting

    “Pianist and Dancers” is an expressionistic painting that captures a unique perspective of a performance. The scene unfolds from behind the performers, offering a view of the audience and the distant exit as the curtains rise.

    Painted with acrylic on paper, the artist’s style is reminiscent of Degas and Sargent, with dancers gracefully entering from the wings, converging towards the pianist at center stage. The composition and vibrant colors evoke the energy and anticipation of a live musical event.

    This large, figurative artwork is ideal for anyone who appreciates music and performing arts. Its unique viewpoint and dynamic composition make it a captivating piece that will add a touch of artistic flair to any space. Invite the beauty of “Pianist and Dancers” into your collection today.

    pianists dancers final
    Pianist and Dancers, acrylics, 100 x 70 cm/ 40 x 27.5″ on paper

    For sale at Saatachi Art https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Pianist-and-Dancers/664581/13542267/view

  • Pianist and Singer, water color

    Pianist and Singer on State, watercolors 21 x 29.7 cm/ 8.3 x 11.7″

    This is among several paintings featuring this pianist. See others below:

    Pianist and Singer (sold)
    Pianist, Singer Dancers, acrylics , 100 x 70 cm/ 40 x 27.5″ To purchase

    To purchase Pianist, Singer Dancers go to https://www.saatchiart.com/en-es/art/Painting-Pianist-Singer-Dancers/664581/13233673/view

    Pianist and Singer II, 73 x 100 cm/ 29″ x 40″

    To purchase Pianist and Singer II https://www.saatchiart.com/en-es/art/Painting-Pianist-Singer-Ballerina/664581/11504481/view

  • Woman at the Piano

    Woman at the Piano, watercolor, 21 x 30/ 8.3 x11.7″ SOLD
    Woman at Piano, watercolor and ink, version 1 (tiny sketch)

    These are preliminary to a possible larger painting to once again look at music. Strong blocks of color contrast against the shades of black in the piano and the colored shapes of the background. Even though version 1 is quite rough it’s still quite lively and perhaps even more so than than Version 2, which took quite a bit more effort.

  • Pianist, Singer, Dancers, Parallel Universe

    pianist singer dancers final
    Pianist Singer Dancers and the Parallel Universe Acrylics on Canvas

    Art meets string theory

    This is another in the Pianist series. The dancers whirling dervishness calls forth a parallel universe. My painting Pianist Singer Dancer https://garyjkirkpatrick.com/pianist-singer-ballerina/ first evoked that universe, The energetic dancing brought forth the more intense intrusion of a parallel universe.

    The contrasts: between the representative and the abstract, the muted values and the blaring, the forms and motion, the unusual view from behind the performers.

  • Ballerina: Vencerem (We shall overcome)

    Ballerina: Vencerem (We shall overcome) was produced for the 13th annual Art al Career (Street Art) fair in Picanya, Spain. It is organized by the Dones de Picanya (Women of Picanya in Valencian) . Picanya suffered significant losses in the floods in October 2025. There is still much work needed there: houses, bridges, businesses and much more. The metro is still not working.

    This painting is about the overcoming the obstacles on the path to recovery, symbolized by her dancing on the fender of a wrecked car. The lettering in the painting is actually straight. Getting a perfect photo was not possible in my studio.

    Ballerina dones de picanya final
    Ballerina: Vencerem (We Shall Overcome) 1.8 x 1.4 meters, property of Dones de Picanya (lettering camera distorted)
    Balleriana dones de picanya final with me

  • Count Basie with Ella (pen and ink)

    count basie with ella small
    Count Basie with Ella (pen and ink)

  • Pianist Singer Ballerina II

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/57614912@N08/53558084255/in/dateposted-public/
    Pianist Singer Ballerina, Acrylics on Canvas, 100 x 73 cm, 40 x 29″

    This is the third painting featuring the pianist. The first is a realistic depiction

    Pianist and Singer
    Pianist and SInger

    The second, completed just a month or so ago, appeared in the Street Art Fair in Picanya, Spain

    Pianist, Dance, SInger dones picanya final
    Pianist Singer Ballerina, 1.5 x 1.3 meters, acrylics

  • Pianist, Singer, Ballerina

    Pianist, Dance, SInger dones picanya final
    Pianist, Singer, Ballerina, acrylics on canvas, 1.5 x 1.3m/5′ x 4′

    This expressionistic piece combines imaginative and realistic elements such as we see in the dancer, from the performer’s point of view. The stained glass look continues, muted in the dark theater as is the audience. It’s about the challenges of cooperative performance. Without an audience there is no performance.

    Light and dark interplay. Shafts of light downpour, adding to the pressure. The spotlight’s on you. Do it. There is one escape: that open door. But to get there you are judged more harshly.

    Last year’s event here Dones de Picanya 2023 and 2022 here Dones de Picanya 2022

  • Music Drawings from the Palau

    For several years I made drawings while sitting in the audience in the Palau de la Musica in Valencia, Spain. In the darkened auditorium I could not see very well, so I would find out what I had drawn. I used both hands. In one I held a Pilot pen and in the other a brush with a water reservoir which I used to create the washes and shadows.

    Here you see the result in an 8 minute video set to Libertadores by Oscar Navarro, who is from Valencia. We have been there when this piece was performed and Oscar was there too. It’s a wonderful piece. I hope you enjoy it and the drawings.