SPIRAL GROOVE
IN 2019, to mark the 20th anniversary of 'the Grapes' first album , Ashley Naylor and myself collaborated with artist, printmaker and long time friend , Geoffrey Ricardo on a series of art prints. Working from Geoffrey Ricardo's studio in Melbournes west, we were inspired by the lyrics ,the music and the vibe on the self titled record by 'the Grapes', as well as our mutual love of pop art, the beauty of vinyl records and the notion of the album as an important body of work. In 2023 these prints were exhibited in full for the first time at Brightspace Gallery, St. Kilda, Melbourne. Below is a sample of the 80 prints [etchings and relief prints] To view them all and enquire about purchase go to www.geoffreyricardo.com.au
THE DIVINE CRIMSON V and ILLUMINATED LYRICS
My work as a musician and a visual artist are closely linked and one enhances the other.
As artist-in-residence for the Victoria University Music Department I've been working on campus at Kindred Studios Yarraville, writing and recording new musical works. The result is the new album
THE DIVINE CRIMSON V and a series of ILLUMINATED LYRICS
To assist the creative process of songwriting and prepare for recording, I ‘paint out’ the lyrics to the songs in a visual diary with pictures, decorative borders and production notes. These ‘lyric sketches’, made in water colour, ink, gold leaf, pen and pencil become integral to the life of the musical works. Song lyrics are often finished as I paint them out. In the recording studio the lyric sketch book is physically present and becomes a vital part of the process, used as a tool to communicate ideas to the musicians and engineer. Below are some pages from my lyric sketch book. These have been further developed into a series of finished 'Illuminated Lyrics' to accompany each song on the album 'The Divine Crimson V.' Inspired by the art of William Blake, Medieval illuminated manuscripts from Europe and the Middle East, Chinese calligraphy and watercolours, vintage tattoos and wild west posters.
Painted 'Sunbird' banjo ukulele with lyrics on fretboard (right)
NEW ILLUMINATED LYRIC BOOK can be purchased from the shop
For enquiries regarding collaborations or special commissions contact Sherry
All images copyright Sherry Rich
