It was only recently that I found out the name for this - some people who listen to music  visualise  the sounds in colour. I have always , especially with classical music, heard the notes weaving patterns of colours. I first remember this when the NZ National Film Unit published a promotional film called "This Is New Zealand" - amazing footage filmed from helicopters flying over the mountains, plains and seas of NZ. There was (as far as I recall) no commentary , just the beautiful harmonies of Sibelius's Karelia Suite playing. I was blown away by the match of the music and the visuals! After that I began to realise that I always have images in my mind when I listen to music. Faure's spine chilling Requiem takes me flying through indigo skies, scattered with stars, above snow covered peaks. Queen's music often makes me think of reds, purples, golds.
Apparently ,  often the people who have this ability?gift? are "right brained , creative". To me it really is a gift- I am grateful to have this extra richness when I listen to music. And it definitely can influence my painting...If I'm painting mountains I will often find myself listening to a piece like  Bach's Fantasia & Fugue In G Minor. I can just feel the peaks beginning to appear from the mist, the ridges coming towards me as each string section begins to weave it's own harmony. Wow.How could I not paint them?!

Here's a warning to fellow artists. Ironically, one of my recent posts was about trust (see the sidecar blog) - this one is about mistrust.
Occasionally I receive emails from painters from other countries , some asking questions about my work, others making friendly comments. Yesterday I opened an email from a Polish artist telling me that he was an art teacher and was working on a project with students - collecting signatures of artists from all over the world and collating them into one big artwork. all I need to do is scan my signature and send it to him. Well...................... he may be genuine, but , firstly, my signature is my property. A very valuable part of my property. Secondly, the language of the email (which I have trashed) had a more than slight Chinese flavour to it. Maybe I'm overly suspicious , but in view of the current Chinese art scam market (which apparently is thriving) I think I'll just keep my signature to myself. Sorry, Mr .................olski, but I don't think I trust you!
Caveat emptor !

  Cook Strait is the body of water which stretches between  the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Ferries regularly make the three and a half hour journey across. It can be a beautiful journey over calm water, spotting occasional dolphins, tourists happily taking selfies on the deck. Or it can be very rough, with seagulls like scraps of torn paper hovering above the  funnels, salt spray washing over anyone brave enough to venture outside to look at the massive waves. Some people read, some play cards or gaze at their electronic devices, and some just curl up and snooze . 
Sketching people feels way less intrusive than taking photos. A sketch just gives the general idea rather than identifying anyone (well, mine does  anyway!). On Monday I couldn't resist these two, both "minding" their wives' handbags while they wandered off for a bit. If you are a sketcher , too , remember that anything is a subject!