Paint, Groove ‘n Toke is about making art, listening to good tunes and smoking some green. In this blog, we will be talking about music and its impact on our lives, all while painting on a canvas together.

“Hits from the Bong” by Cypress Hill was Thomas Fabbioli’s first choice of song during Paint, Groove n Toke. It was only right, that we should in fact, take hits from the bong.

We then made a playlist with eight of Fabbioli’s go-to songs, and two of mine.

Fabbiolo chose his next seven: ”Brown-Eyed Women” by Grateful Dead, “King Without a Crown” by Matisyahu, “Bring me Along” by Pepper, “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd, “Over the Hills and Far Away” by Led Zeppelin, “Hey Baby” by Stephen Marley, and “Is This Love” by Bob Marley.

I chose “Fire on the Mountain” by The Marshall Tucker Band, and “4% Pantomime” by The Band.

Art and listening to the playlist was next on the agenda. The paint brushes were out, the creative minds were active, and the music was loud.

As Fabbioli and I collided minds together to make art, we also shared impacts that music has had on us.

Fabbioli grew up with two older brothers, one 11 years older, and the other 15. Both had a big impact on his life, and the music they showed him was one of them.

“When I was 6 years old, my brothers started listening to Matisyahu, and ever since then, “King Without a Crown” has been my favorite song,” he said.

I, on the other hand, grew up as the oldest. My influence on music was solely my parents, through CD’s and cassettes, and recently my grandpa, through vinyl.

My parents introduced me to The Band and Jack Johnson. My grandpa, Pink Floyd.

At times while we painted, we didn’t talk. All to be heard was the music. We were too focused on the paint strokes. The green we had smoked minutes before was also kicking in.

“Wish You Were Here” finally came on during the mix. We both sang to the tune with joy before it faded from Floyd to the great Led Zeppelin.

Fabbioli’s parents are in their 60s and grew up listening to and watching the Grateful Dead perform live.

“It has been a huge influence on our family. Hearing the songs not only brings me stimulation from the beautiful melodies, but also the memories behind all of it,” Fabbioli said.

I then shared my experiences with the Dead to Fabbioli. When my dad showed me the album, “American Beauty” for the first time, I fell in love with each soothing song being played through that tape; from “Box of Rain,” all the way to “Truckin.”

The songs we chose were songs that had meaning to our lives. They bring back memories, but most importantly, they remind us of where we come from.

We stopped painting once the playlist is over.

Forty minutes had passed by, and it was time to truly see what we created.