THE CHAIR / Acrylic Paint on Paper / 12” x 9”
Music is an important part of who I am as an artist. Growing up, I’ve always listened to local bands, new wave music, and some 1900s to 2000s metal bands. They still mean a lot to me until now. Songs of yesterday have shaped how I fall in love, receive love, and deal with heartbreak. This gives me a momentary glimpse back into the past whenever I listen to these songs.
My exposure to music began with my father who loves music and always used to shake our house with his two old stereo components. He introduced me to the world of art and so much more.
I later joined an art group where I learned more about becoming a full-time artist, including the different struggles, small wins, and being part of the art community.
I dig my toes into the sand
The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds
Strewn across a blue blanket
I lean against the wind
Pretend that I am weightless
And in this moment, I am happy, happy
Wish You Were Here, Incubus
Stories went up and down. His Glory and my friends have taught me how to always put my feet on the ground.
THE SOWER / Acrylic Paint on Paper / 12” x 9”
Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now, you should've somehow
Realised what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now
Wonderwall, Oasis
Companionship, affection, and sympathy are my sources of confidence.
THE DEVIL / Acrylic Paint on Paper / 12” x 9”
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design and
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Dark Necessities, Red Hot Chili Peppers
In my short tempered instances, music is my escape to release anger.
Metal, nu metal, slow rock and even almost death metal music calms my mood.
THE BIRD / Acrylic Paint on Paper / 12” x 9”
Seasons, they will change
Life will make you grow
Dreams will make you cry, cry, cry
Everything is temporary
Everything will slide
Love will never die, die, die
I know that, ooh, birds fly in different directions
Ooh, I hope to see you again
Birds, Imagine Dragons
Every morning that He wakes me up is beautiful.
Receiving good news and eating good food defines a good life.
THE STONE / Acrylic Paint on Paper / 12” x 9”
How long, how long will I slide?
Separate my side, I don't
I don't believe it's bad
Slit my throat, it's all I ever
Turn me on, take me for a hard ride
Burn me out, leave me on the otherside
I yell and tell it's not my friend
I tear it down, I tear it down
Another it's born again
Otherside, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Every morning that He wakes me up is beautiful. Receiving good news and eating good food defines a good life.
THE THORNS / Acrylic Paint on Paper / 12” x 9”
A mole, digging in a hole
Digging up my soul, now
Going down, excavation
I and I in the sky
You make me feel like I can fly
So high, elevation
Elevation, U2
Material things fulfill my wants, but after all of these, I still end up feeling dissatisfied. I feel like this is not what He plans for me.
I need to look further—what’s behind the gift.
THE RICH SOIL / Acrylic Paint on Paper / 12” x 9”
Touch me
Take me to that other place
Reach me
I know I'm not a hopeless case
What you don't have, you don't need it now
What you don't know, you can feel it somehow
What you don't have, you don't need it now
Don't need it now
Was a beautiful day
Beautiful Day, U2
Whenever I look back, I realize where I should be and what to prioritize. This thought pushes me to go further—experiment and experience more to learn and be fruitful.
In these four corners, I find my dwelling place as an artist who loves listening to music.
About the artist
John Loyd Benz De Leon (b.1998) graduated from the University of Rizal System – Angono with a degree in Advertising. His works emphasize his characters which parallel his own expressions. Bright pastel color schemes, lines, and characters are evident in his works and are continually explored in his growing practice. De Leon’s art expresses varying moods and perceptions in an attempt to understand personal and social changes and developments in our world.
Instagram: @johnloydbenzdeleon
Song Credits
Boyd,B.(2001).Wish You Were Here.[Recorded by Incubus].Morning View[Album].Epic Records and Immortal Records. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8295rOMvtQI
Gallagher,N.(1995).Wonderwall.[Recorded at Kockfield].(What's the Story) Morning Glory[Album].Creation Records.
https://youtu.be/Gvfgut8nAgw
Mouse,D.(2016).Dark Necessities.[Recorded by Red Hot Chili Peppers]Getaway[Album].Warner Bros.
https://youtu.be/qJ_Tw0w3lLA
Reynolds,D.(2018)Birds.[Recorded by Imagine Dragons]Origins[Album].Kidinakorner and Interscope Records
https://youtu.be/_yk5eCQso40
Mouse,D.(2016).Otherside.[Recorded by Red Hot Chili Peppers]Californication[Album].Warner Bros.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rn_YodiJO6k
Bono.(2000).Elevation.[Recorded at HQ]All That You Can't Leave Behind[Album].Island Records and Interscope Records
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xbyjeHKSn-E
Bono.(2000).Beautiful Day.[Recorded at HQ]All That You Can't Leave Behind[Album].Island Records and Interscope Records
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S85ceVI4mfg