An amazing exchange of energies – artist, musician, and audience – is bound to unfold when impressionist landscape painter David Low joins musician John Jenkins on stage at the Big Eddy Pub this Thursday.
The concept itself is incredible, with Low completing a painting by the time Jenkins musical performance has concluded.
The idea to have both artist and musician on stage came about through conversations.
“It’s something I’ve done before,” said David, who used to paint onstage with groups of musicians when he lived in Vancouver during the ‘60s. “When I moved up here (Golden) John and I got together. We’ve done quite a bit (of collaborating) together over the past few years.”
The first collaboration between the two occurred during a CD release party for John Jenkins and Swerving Gently in 2008. Reflecting on that first performance, Jenkins recalled the evening was both fun and fantastic.
“And the painting ... it’s a really special thing to take ... it’s a piece of the moment,” he said
What makes the collaborative experience extraordinary for both Jenkins and Low are the exchanges of energies that occur.
“It’s not only myself and John, it’s the audience too,” said Low. I feel all these people looking at me as I paint. You pick up on the energy.”
As a musician, Jenkins says having David perform on stage is a positive distraction.
“It’s something to watch unfold. It gives the audience a distraction from just watching (the musician),” he said.
“It becomes a whole three-way street. The audience is reacting to the music and painting. I’m reacting to the painting, and the audience. It’s very cool the exchange of energy and art.”
As for the painting, Low admits it’s not the usual way an artist works.
“You’re on the spot, you wouldn’t normally do a painting like that,” he said.
Not only is it not the usual way a painting is completed, but Low has no idea what the painting will look like before he starts.
“I will try and do something that captures Revelstoke,” he said.
What is also phenomenal, is that Low has never not finished a piece on stage.
“John and I did something with his band in Golden and they gave us 15 minutes. I managed to get a painting done and we sold it.”
John Jenkins and David Low will perform at the Big Eddy Pub this Thursday January 24 at 8 p.m. David’s painting will be auctioned off to the highest bidder and the money raised will go to a charity of the winner’s choice.