Translating music into visual art

I translate music into vibrant, abstract compositions—each brushstroke a note, each color a chord, with timbre guiding my choice of materials. My work captures the rhythm, harmony, and emotion of sound, transforming it into a visual experience. - Shany Porras

See my artwork in person!

Art is best appreciated in person, of course. If you are interested in seeing my art, you may schedule a studio visit with me, or attend one of the many shows and open studios I will be in this year.

In-person opportunities

Latest Artworks

Hancock Shaker Village Solo Show

Hancock Shaker Village Solo Show

Simple Gifts:  Visual Translations of Shaker Hymns and Copland Music is currently...

Why paint music?

About my art...

My art is born from a deep, heartfelt connection to music. I don’t just listen—I dive into the scores, studying every note and phrase as if learning a new language. Though I’m an amateur musician, I challenge myself to play passages on the piano and sketch the music’s emotional landscape, allowing me to feel its soul. These sketches and insights become the blueprint for my paintings, guiding my choices of color, texture, and form.

Each series is a visual symphony, a heartfelt translation of sound into color and shape. I work with a variety of water-based and dry media on surfaces like wood, metal, and canvas—layering materials to bring the music’s energy and emotion to life. Through this process, I invite viewers to experience the invisible pulse of the music in a new, tangible way.