Original artwork, 22” x 30” mixed media on paper, unframed

Started with the background one way, then decided to flip it upside down—because, why not? What followed felt a little like a floating bouquet in space, as I used some odd tools - a child's roller sponge, a rolling self-inking music staff stamp - to paint multiple lines at once, all running in parallel. A pause in the piece was a deceptive cadence; just when we thought it was over, a mist rolled in, changing the way we perceived what we'd created. It was an experiment that somehow worked out, with forms blooming into something both strange and fun. The whole thing is a little like the moment we all clicked as a trio: unexpected, a bit wild, but somehow just right.

This piece was created with special guest Darryl "Doc D" Singleton on percussion.

Original artwork, 22” x 30” mixed media on paper, unframed

The vibrant pink horizon in this surreal landscape hints at a world in flux. Geometries punctuate the composition, while an undefined shape edges into the bottom left corner, as if something is encroaching. The tension between Aaron's major and minor themes mirrors the structure of the painting: straightfoward but unnerving, introspective but performative. A sense that the meaning or motive may change at any moment pervades a dynamic stillness that feels both unsettling and beautiful.

Original artwork, 22” x 30” mixed media on paper, unframed

Starting with a blank slate and an empty mind, I loaded my brush with paint and began making dabs and squiggles, without any particular direction in mind. I expected the composition to evolve into something else—colors blending into a background, shapes emerging to take over. But the process led me somewhere different: a cloud of color that, almost by accident, resembled a bouquet of flowers. The piece became an exercise in curiosity and discovery, exploring the way darker colors naturally found their place in the composition, almost as if they were drawn to certain areas by instinct. It’s a painting born from the question, “What would happen if I just let it happen?”

Original artwork, 22” x 30” mixed media on paper, unframed

Aaron’s melodies laid the groundwork for this piece, and I chose a bright, intense background to match the energy. As he played, I traced the lines of his music with paint pens, keeping each stroke deliberate and restrained. Despite the explosion of color, the lines pulse with a kind of subtle, contained energy, vibrating with the life of the melodies themselves. The tension between the vivid background and the careful, controlled lines gives this piece its unique rhythm, creating a visual dance in sync with the Dom.7(b9,13) chords shifting in minor thirds.

Original artwork, 22” x 30” mixed media on paper, unframed

The piece begins with careful, deliberate strokes, as I shape the bottom half of a sphere in gentle gradients, grounding myself in the process. It felt like a moment to pause—but the format pushed me toward risk. The sphere's calm precision was soon met with bold, sweeping gestures as I leaned into the thrill of the unknown. Each stroke layered more confidence onto the canvas, and what started as caution transformed into dynamic movement. The energy of taking risks was palpable, resonating with the audience and making this an unexpected favorite of the night.

Original artwork, 22” x 30” mixed media on paper, unframed

This piece feels playful and full of movement, like the bottom of an aquarium teeming with colorful, quirky plants. The composition stretches to the edges of the paper, creating a sense of fullness, as if everything is alive and extending outward. Aaron’s music mirrors this expansive energy, starting with an unplanned intro that perfectly sets the tone. The interplay between F major and F minor, along with the shifting harmonies, captures the playful tension of the piece. It’s like a dance of bright corners and unexpected turns, where everything fits together in an unexpectedly joyful way.