When I’m making pictures at the art table, I need pictures in my head. What may seem odd to say is that they are not the same pictures.

I’m not talking about the disconnect between what you envision in your head and what your hands are able to create. I’m talking about drawing (for example) a medieval armored warhorse in motion while listening to the soundtrack of Escape from New York. It’s drawing hobbits while listening to the WoW soundtracks. It’s making steampunkish stuff while listening to Gjallarhorn.

When I listen to music like this, my brain makes up stories and pictures inspired by the music. Many times my writing gets its seed from a piece of music, especially when driving long distances. It’s the same principle: a lot of driving is automatic and unconscious (and I have a spotless driving record, thxbai), much like the art can be.