The inspiration for these fine art paintings comes from attending Dixieland Jazz festivals and shows where my husband performs.  I was moved by that "foot stomping, hand clapping, knee twitching, head shaking, feel good" music and decided to use "Dark Humor" to interpret and depict the fun and absurdity of  Jazz language in these oil paintings.  “SAX MAN”, the very first painting in this series, represents the “illusion” of Jazz: fun–not perfect!  I was feeling the abstraction of Jazz and seeing it on my canvases.  “This is right!”—It felt good, as each image appeared….combining realism and surrealism.  The base drum, in “THE BEAT”, explodes with energetic enthusiasm while the coronet plays on with carefree abandon!  The vibrant play of its colors demonstrates all the wild and joyous magic of artistic improvisation.  In “BOOGIE WOOGIE”, the couple’s heads are lost in the music while their feet dance to a different beat!  “SINGIN' THE BLUES” is sharing her soul with us.  “MORNING AFTER” is what it is!  In “TRIANGLE”, the piano man pines for the singer, the singer longs for the banjo man and the banjo man is oblivious to all but his music.  “PATCHES” is the comic absurdity of Jazz.  “AMERICAN JAZZ” came after fateful September 11! ~ Irene

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