Welcome to the official website of James Plakovic’s MusicArt™. Because MusicArt™ combines music and visual art, many of the visual works have been paired with an accompanying audio track. The goal of this site is to give you a glimpse of James’ inner experience while creating his art.

“Whether your taste is visual art, music or writing, there is something for most everyone.” — James Plakovic

Please browse this site and check out all that is offered. There will be regular updates including an archive of some material. Be sure to check out the the Store / Gift Shop while you’re here.

I am interested in receiving your feedback about my art and this site. Please send comments to me at musicart@plakovic.com.

What is MusicArt™?

MusicArt™ is visual art through musical notation, as well as a musical composition created through visual art. MusicArt™ is a union of music and art in which a musical composition becomes a picture for the eye and ear simultaneously, a visual image and a musical composition.

MusicArt™ (myoo'zi-kärt) n. 1. Visual depiction of a well-known person, primarily a musician, or a musically related subject, in which musical notation, including musical excerpts or quotes (primarily well-known themes) from that person's work comprises the medium of the portrait. 2. The art of combining musical notation to form expressive visual and auditory compositions. -MusicArt™ v.

Each image is a visual and auditory tribute to its subject. James creates his portraits from a unique perspective. He immerses himself in his subject so thoroughly that he approaches his image as if from the subject’s view. The portrait spills onto the page almost as if the subject was right there drafting a self portrait.
 

Handwriting Styles: Manuscript & Original

MusicArt™ images are produced in two different formats: Manuscript and Original. The Manuscript format has a precise, mechanical appearance of printed sheet music. Pieces in this style are usually limited to one color, such as a black notation on white surface. An example of this style is “World Beat Music."

The Original-format works are drafted in a less precise, handwritten manner and characterized in two distinct styles. The first, or “Composer,” style is intended to resemble or imitate the subject’s own handwriting style. This style has been used in the Symphonic Suite No. 1 prints and the Beethoven and Mozart t-shirts. The second, or “Autograph,” style is James’ musical handwriting. These images may be multicolored and incorporate mixed-media processes. The Guitar Sound Sculpture, after Picasso is an example of this style. Although the Original styles are less precise than the Manuscript pieces, they are still playable compositions.
 

Music Soundbytes

“So, what does this sound like?”

This is the most common question I receive about MusicArt™. For quite some time I would do my best to answer this question in musical terms; however I’m not very knowledgeable about music theory. To further complicate this issue, I hear music visually, not all of the time, but often. While listening to music, I experience some very interesting visual occurrences, such as colors and geometric shapes / patterns. This all makes complete sense to me, though I admit that many of my previous explanations probably sounded like “artsy-fartsy gobbledy-gook." My apologies to all those who’ve suffered through one of those explanations.

This is important background, because it’s those “auditory visuals” that I’ve translated in order to answer the “sound” question. I use Overture 2® software to translate my “auditory visuals” into visual art and traditional music for a simultaneous experience. What you see and hear in this website is close to my inner experience of music. Please remember that it is not meant to be your typical musical experience. That’s “the scoop,” so please feel free to experience the sounds of MusicArt™.
 

Artist Bio