Flowers may not have a voice, but Chicago artist Clearing artist Anne Nordhaus-Bike blends music and nature through watercolor flower paintings featured in Bridgeport Art Center’s “Color Songs” exhibition believes they have a song.
The Clearing neighborhood resident brings that idea to life through two watercolor paintings that will be featured in the upcoming exhibition “Color Songs: Musicians As Visual Artists” at the Bridgeport Art Center.
Nordhaus-Bike, an artist and president of ANB Communications, will showcase “Nocturne (The Flowers Dance)” and “Reveille (The Flower Awakens)” in the juried exhibition, which explores the connection between visual art and music.
The exhibition was curated by Yaoundé Olu, PhD, who brought together artists who create music and musicians who create visual artwork, highlighting the many ways creativity can be expressed.
The concept immediately resonated with Nordhaus-Bike, whose life has long been shaped by both art and music.
While painting is her primary artistic focus, Nordhaus-Bike grew up surrounded by music and received extensive training in piano and voice. Her musical background includes years of studying music theory, history and performance, experiences that continue to influence her artwork today.
“Both my paintings in this show marry lively visual form with a sense of musical sound, yielding paintings whose flowers appear to burst with energy and dance across the paper,” Nordhaus-Bike said.
In “Nocturne (The Flowers Dance),” two colorful, iridescent flowers are painted in watercolor on handmade black paper. Inspired by the musical form of the nocturne, which traditionally evokes the feeling of nighttime, the piece captures the gentle movement of flowers swaying beneath the moonlight.
“Reveille (The Flower Awakens)” offers a different kind of energy. The painting features a white chrysanthemum on bright red handmade paper, surrounded by expressive lines that suggest movement and awakening. The title references the military bugle call traditionally played to wake soldiers in the morning.
Nordhaus-Bike’s attention to detail extends beyond the paintings themselves. She personally mounted each artwork by hand on handmade cotton paper, creating a presentation that complements the delicate nature of the pieces.
The custom framing was carefully selected to enhance each painting’s unique qualities. “Nocturne (The Flowers Dance)” is paired with a dark frame and medium pink mat to bring out the flower petals’ colors, while “Reveille (The Flower Awakens)” features a black mat and chrome-coated frame that highlights the chrysanthemum’s subtle metallic tones.
Both paintings float above their mats behind conservation glass, allowing the artwork to maintain a sense of movement and depth.
Nordhaus-Bike said the paintings capture a feeling many people recognize when watching nature move.
“Remember the delight of seeing flowers dance and sway in a breeze?” she said. “It’s as if they’re moving to music, the symphony of nature.”
The exhibition also serves as a reminder of the many teachers, mentors and supporters who encouraged her artistic and musical pursuits throughout her life.
“Participating in this show with these special paintings reminds me how many people helped me throughout my life, teaching me about both art and music and encouraging me to paint, play the piano, sing and perform in many choirs,” Nordhaus-Bike said.
Her advice to other artists is to embrace what makes their work unique.
“Stay true to yourself, your talent and the beautiful things you create,” she said. “Your visions matter, and your unique expressions help light the world.”
“Color Songs” opens with a reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 17, at the Bridgeport Art Center’s fourth floor gallery, 1200 W. 35th St. in Chicago. The exhibition continues through Friday, Sept. 4.