Jock Macdonald suggested I paint while listening to music

In 1960 during one of his visits to my rented room on Walmer Road in Toronto, Jock suggested I paint while listening to music. Here is a painting I created while listening to the music of Felix Mendelsshon.

"Midsummer Night's Dream", oil on masonite, Henri van Bentum,1960, artist's collection

Here is another work painted while listening to the music of Claude Debussy.  This painting is in the permanent collection of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.

 "Inner Reflections", Henri van Bentum, oil on canvas, Collection Robert McLaughlin Gallery (gift by Ann Southam)

Jock's death was sudden and unexpected.  He was only 63 years of age when he went over the horizon.  Here is a painting I did a week after he died that expressed my sorrow at the great loss of this exceptional painter and mentor.

"Drowned Sun's Glimmer", Henri van Bentum, homage to Jock Macdonald, December 1960

Private Collection