I can’t remember the first time I saw Matthew Heller’s work. I’m certain it was in some celebrity’s home featured in some fabulous magazine like Elle Decor. Heller’s work that first caught my eye years ago in some forgotten editorial was that of his “Homage to Music” collection. Here, Heller fills up large canvases with the lyrics of hugely successful Top 40 hits like Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Heaven” by Bryan Adams, Lionel Richie’s “Hello,” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Heller chooses big old torch songs that we all know by heart; we don’t need to hear the song to “hear” the song. Brilliant, and I swear, mood-altering. Just be ready to start belting them out on a sojourn for a snack, regardless of the company. You’ve been warned!

Homage to Music #4, Heaven, 2007. Acrylic on canvas, 48”(H) x 80”(W). Matthew Heller.

I love how understated and deceivingly simple both artforms seem. And as the wife of a music producer and songwriter, I have come to deeply respect the art of writing a hit song. It’s a genius talent that can easily be poo-pooed (read: “sell-out”) by some in the music industry (though not by anyone who’s actually written a hit song). If it weren’t for the ginormous bank accounts of those hit-makers, my heart would positively ache for them. Though something tells me Diane Warren’s not too worried about the naysayers.

Songwriting is no joke: Why else would my beloved Bravo TV come up with “Platinum Hit,” a show all about how songwriting is no joke? Amazing how reality television programming can validate you. Or introduce to level of behavior so base that–

I digress.

As for me, I may find a little Heller inspiration in my future–at least in my own home. I’m thinking of using the lyrics from “Bushel and a Peck” from the Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls.” My mother sang it to me when I was a child, and it’s become one of O and Ro’s favorite lullabies, too. I don’t expect it to turn out nearly as well as Heller’s, of course, but it will do nicely in the girls’ new play room. That might not seem like high praise, Mr. Heller, but I assure you it most certainly is.

“Bushel and a Peck,” by Frank Loesser

I love you, a bushel and a peck!
A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!
A hug around the neck, and a barrel and a heap
A barrel and a heap, and I’m talkin’ in my sleep.
About you.
About you!
About you!
My heart is leapin’!
I’m having trouble sleepin’!
‘Cause I love you, a bushel and a peck
You bet your pretty neck I do!
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle oodle oodle oo…