Shany Porras Art

I am a visual music artist who translates music into unique abstract paintings and photography. Originally from Venezuela, I am deeply inspired by mid-20th-century artists from Venezuela and New York City. My love for music came early in my life as I studied classical music on piano and flute through my early twenties until I decided to foster my visual arts at college, studying architecture and fine arts. 

My artistic journey explores the interplay between visual art and music, where I find inspiration and translate the emotional landscapes of various genres into vibrant and expressive abstract paintings. Through my work, I strive to bridge the gap between two art forms that share the power to move, provoke, and stir the human spirit.  As a visual artist, I seek to capture the essence of music and translate its intricate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms into a visual language that resonates with viewers on a visceral level.

In my process, I immerse myself in the music I aim to translate, allowing its energy and mood to envelop me. First, I study the music I wish to resolve by reading the music scores and perhaps learning the music on the piano, although I am a novice musician. Next, I create sketches and annotate the emotions via potential colors and textures that capture the themes. I also define which part of the music I will translate, as I can rarely capture an entire piece in one painting. This results in a series of paintings translating a single piece of music. Then, when it is time to paint, I surrender to the music’s cadence and let the melodies guide my use of material and support. I use various water-based media, oil sticks, and found objects, and I like to work on wood, metal panels, or canvas.

Additionally, I employ an intuitive approach to translate the sonic vibrations into a dynamic visual vocabulary. Abstract painting offers me the freedom to break away from the constraints of literal representation. Instead, it allows me to delve into the realm of the subconscious, where colors, shapes, and textures intertwine to create a visual symphony. At times, each brushstroke or color is an individual note, and the layers of paint build up like chords, creating a harmonious or dissonant composition. Just as music can be structured and improvised, my process embraces planning and spontaneous exploration, finding a balance between control and surrender.