Downtown Beat has a new home

Downtown Beat is making it’s way to New York! 

This painting grew from the rhythm of my experience as a mountain biker riding through meadows of tall grasses and sunflowers, to commuting through traffic, to listening to the music of the wind in the trees, the music of commerce, the music in my headphones, and the music of live musicians that make downtown so vital. During the pandemic, I was struck by how quiet and empty Flagstaff had become. The rhythm was off. And then, one day, it was back! Music, smiles, coffee, blue skies, bicycles, art, and music!

This piece has emotional context to it that some of the other paintings have not. Being a musician, and largely losing my ability to make a living as a musician during the pandemic, and now, no longer living in Flagstaff nor playing with any of the folks I used to play with, sometimes hurts. 

I’m so glad I recorded the process and changes this paintings went through as I was creating it. I wrote about the creative journey of Downtown Beat and the beginnings of my personal move back east last September (2021) in the posts Present Unlimited. and The End (and beginning) of a (new) Era.

I’m glad this painting reflects the joy of my experience in the mountains.

It is a painting about transition, which I am once again experiencing. Even though life is constant change – there are periods that are transformative. As we step toward or into “what next?” – we shake things up. There is hope and curiosity and joy for the new things and people in my life – but my feet are not firmly on the ground yet. And I am navigating my mother’s care, too, which is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life so far.

I know when I look back at this time I will see it as a gift. 

Even with paintings in Australia and Greece and Denver and Seattle, having this painting in New York feels like success to me. 

Downtown Beat will be close, and I can visit it! 

And I totally thought of The Jefferson’s theme song when arranging to have Downtown Beat shipped from Arizona!

Life and art continue to move along in ways that surprise me. 

“And so it goes.” – Kurt Vonnegut

Thanks for reading.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you are interested in seeing my art, go to my Art page, or to see what is currently for sale, go to the page Works for Sale or check out my art instagram @holly_troy_art

September 30, 2022
Elizaville, New York