This piece is one of my most favorites as it is dedicated to Dave Brubeck and my father, Rocci Cetani, both amazing soulful piano players. One night, sitting in my studio, painting on my 3^rd week of no days off, I decided that that was it, I wanted to go on a date with my husband! And I wanted to go that night! Just then, Jazz Station KCSM offered free tickets to see Dave Brubeck at the Little Fox Theater in Redwood City. With 100% intention to win, that would be my date with my hubby. Needless to say I won!

When we arrived I was so excited. We got incredible seats and then the stage went black and Dave, who I only new by radio, had arrived on stage. After a wonderful audience reception this gentle man in his mid 80’s, sat down on the piano bench and started to play. I sat in my seat with my mouth wide open and as the music permeated through my soul, I cried with an overwhelm of emotion. His music, his gentle, passionate style, reminds me of my father. And there I sat in a sea of inspirational joy, crying, laughing and visually inspired by the wonderment of this music.

As the night went on and with each piece, I saw new paintings that I would create from this soulful, inspirational experience. And later, realizing the connection between man and artist that electrifies our hearts; inspires us to feel the artist’s passion!!! What connects the audience to the artist is not only his passion that the artist feels and expresses, but when it comes from the bottom of one’s heart, it is felt by all. And that is the connection between my dad and Dave. They play piano from the bottom of their hearts.

Black and white are colors that I use to show purity of heart. True love, they are the only time I use these colors. The gold is for the purity of inspiration, honesty and integrity. The gold line goes from the top of the treble cleft thru the heart to the bottom of the three hearts. And thus, we get the title, “From the Bottom of His Heart”.

I dedicate this piece to all the artists of the world that give up so much of the “normal lifestyle”, the comforts of predictability to give of them self-nakedly, unselfishly and unconditionally to inspire and uplift mankind.  And to those that decided that they couldn’t give up, their responsibilities to their family and gave up their dream in becoming become a professional musician, painter, singer, dancers, actor.

 Much Love,

From the bottom of my heart,

Debbie Cetani~ Arambula

The picture is of me with Dave Brubeck