Projects
Over the years, I’ve written hundreds of songs. Those I have recorded and released publicly are shared here along with the artwork accompanying the release.
“Defects” [Song] & “Untitled” [Art]
"Untitled" -- Hope Buchanan, 2015
We become so reliant on what is dominant -- our dominant traits and, as an artist, our dominant hand. Drawn and painted with her left hand, Hope discovered beauty in the imperfections of this piece.
"You just have to get out of your own head. I think it is just one of those things where you have to ask yourself, 'What is beauty?'" -- Hope Buchanan
As a child, Jason Lenyer Buchanan had severe strabismus. As follower of Jesus, the song, "Defects" is an honest question about the conflict between Jesus' teaching and the strictness of the Old Testament where individuals with lazy eyes and other physical imperfections were excluded.
“Moving” [Song] & “The Green Room” [Art]
"The Green Room" -- Hope Buchanan, 2011
Confinement and isolation. Consider the colors and how they affect your mood and feelings. For Hope, the colors remind of a hospital or of a psychiatric facility. This is a room with one window, no furniture, and no personal items. The window is open, but too high for someone to escape.
The song "Moving" -- which is accompanied by Hope's elusive artwork -- is about the pain of leaving behind loved ones. Jason Lenyer had two children before his first marriage ended in divorce. His road to emotional recovery included many homes, journeys, and the hopes and fears described with the words, "...this old familiar house, like the ones I left before, is a memory now that I'm still moving from."
“The Power of Love” [Song] & “Joy” [Art]
"Joy" -- Hope Buchanan, 2012
"Sometimes joy is elusive and we don't fully understand what it is until we've been in the darkness. When you look at the dark colors in the painting, the bright still peaks through. There is hope of joy coming." -- Hope Buchanan
A fan of Huey Lewis since the song "The Power of Love" introduced the movie, "Back to the Future" in the 1980's, it wasn't until adulthood that Jason Lenyer realized the lyrics to this song were deep. Just speaking the words aloud felt different after having experienced heartache and recovery.
Jason Lenyer's cover of Huey Lewis' song, "The Power of Love" is slow with a slight sway that would fit a slow-dance. Set in a minor key, when the words are spoken "The power of love...is a curious thing." it invokes a serious consideration.
“Robbed Me of My Song” [Song] & Artwork TBD
Description coming soon.
“Slow” [Song] and “Untitled” [Art]
Description coming soon.
“Broken Down Home” [Song] & Artwork Unnamed
Description coming soon.