Picture this: An elegant woman in a colourful, flowing skirt seated at a vintage grand piano, looking expectantly at an artist poised before a large white canvas, painting paraphernalia at her feet. People are relaxing on the lawns nearby, drinks in hand. A giant cypress tree provides some welcome shade from the summer sun.     

The pianist is Kym Alexandra Dillon, an award-winning jazz and classical musician, composer and presenter; the artist is the multi-disciplinary creative, Carita Farrer Spencer. Together they are about to embark on a spontaneous, creative conversation – a fusion of music and art – to produce a unique, shared experience. 

Kym Alexandra Dillon and Carita Farrer Spencer. Photo © David Wilkinson

The experience starts with silence and a blank canvas; the silence promptly broken by delicate floating harmonies in the treble register, reminiscent (appropriately) of Debussy and the impressionist school. The first lines on the canvas are bold and blue. As more lines and shapes are added, the artist’s palette starts to show a striking resemblance to the colours in Dillon’s skirt. 

Dillon improvises continuously for more than an hour, her gaze fixed on...