How Long Did It Take You?
I truly dislike it when people ask, “So, how long did it take you to paint this?”. How should I answer this question? Should I count the time before I … Continue reading
Patience
At the end of last year, I worked intently on a new orchestral piece but then Christmas and New Year, predictably, broke my stride. Music composition is like long-distance running … Continue reading
A Unifying Principle
How do I express this movement musically? And when I hear gripping music, how do I paint it? These two artistic disciplines have been closely related in my creative output. … Continue reading
Terabyte Tiara – New Painting
I have been working intensely on the harpsichord concerto and came to a point where I felt that a quick change in artistic disciplines would do wonders to reset my … Continue reading
A Quiet Room with a Large Window
To be perfectly honest, following many of you ultra successful artsy people on social media has been difficult recently. Your premieres, international travel, awards, commissions, exhibits, and accolades–you are in … Continue reading
Świtezianka
In Polish mythology, Świtezianka is a water nymph living in the lake Świteź, also dragonfly with metallic blue, green, and umber colored wings. Watercolors, acrylics, and ink on paper, 18 … Continue reading
Instant Inspiration
Work in progress. Sometimes I see someone in the crowd and know immediately that I want to paint him/her. There is just something about the face or the eyes, maybe … Continue reading
A Life of a Painting
I cannot go to Washington state right now, but my painting “Ebb and Flow” just embarked on a journey to meet its patron there. I send out my artwork into … Continue reading
No Commitment
Medusa – one of my early paintings. Remarkably, as I look back, I feel myself drawn to the same color palette again; soft grays, blue, black. Maybe I have come … Continue reading
Limitation as Freedom
I am discussing the concept of limitation in the context of artistic freedom. When I am faced with the whiteness of my creative page, I like to set limiting parameters … Continue reading
Quiet Presence – New Watercolor Portrait
Quiet Presence – watercolors and ink on paper, 18 x 24 in (45 x 61 cm) http://www.dosiamckay.com/art/gallery.shtml
DIY Watercolor Palette
Since I have grown weary of fighting the tubes and wasting precious pigments, I have decided to move my watercolors into tiny plastic containers. Hopefully this new system will work … Continue reading
Self Portrait
Self Portrait – acrylics on paper, 18 x 24 in (45 x 61 cm) http://www.dosiamckay.com/art/gallery.shtml
Ingrid – New Painting
Ingrid – acrylics and ink on paper. 18 x 24 in (45 x 61 cm). http://www.dosiamckay.com/art/gallery.shtml
The Value of Art
“The Art of Forgery”, an article written by Simon Bonneau which appeared in Sungrammata, touches on several important ideas, one of which is the fact that people don’t buy the art. They … Continue reading
The Blue Bend – A New Painting
“The Blue Bend” is inspired by the fantastic colors and crisp air of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina. Acrylics and ink on stretched canvas. … Continue reading
Music as Color
I don’t have synesthesia but I find that different keys (tonal centers) have distinct “flavors”. When I compose, a transposition of a musical passage may or may not make sense, … Continue reading
Afterglow – New Painting
“Afterglow” – acrylics and ink on stretched canvas. Based on a photograph by Kazimierz Skowron, used with permission. No need to frame, the edges are painted black. 48 x 36 … Continue reading
Midsummer – New Painting
Winter might be lingering on but I have a springy / summery feeling inside. Do you ever come to a point where you are surrounded by gloom but find this … Continue reading
Quattrocento – A New Abstract Portrait
“Quattrocento” – a new painting, acrylics on stretched canvas, 24 x 36 x 0.75 in (60 x 91 x 2 cm). More exploration of monochromatic hues and restrained color palette. … Continue reading
Fidgeting in the Sacred Space
Where have you done it? So far I have done it on the kitchen counter, in the bathtub, in the basement, in the bedroom, in the bathroom, the living room, … Continue reading
Swimming in the Sea of Invisibility
I didn’t like my arts teacher in elementary school and the sentiment was reciprocated. I did not agonize over the fact as the teacher didn’t like any of her students. It … Continue reading
To Create is to Be Alive
I paint to remember and to forget. To celebrate and to mourn. To rage and to be still. In all of these I want to affirm life and gratitude for … Continue reading
Symbiosis – An Artist’s Internal Dialogue
An artist’s internal dialogue never stops. Isn’t it enough that I have to interact with the outside world? Wouldn’t it be nice to “come home to myself” for the respite … Continue reading
What Is The Point Of Art Making?
What is the point of quiet and consistent art making in a world run by those who scream the loudest and who put on a gaudy circus? If I stop … Continue reading
Gabriela 2 – Ink on Paper
Gabriela 2 – Ink on paper. I am playing more with black and white, and then, of course, where ink meets water, grey happens. I love those soft interactions and … Continue reading
Joyful Surprise
By all calculations I should not have a good day. Yet I woke up with a renewed strength and a desire to face obstacles on my path to creativity. Give … Continue reading
I Used To Know Everything
I used to know everything, some 20 years ago. I wish I could talk to my younger self today so I could gain clarity and perspective on my present life. … Continue reading
Open Doors
I keep having recurring dreams in which I encounter open doors that need closing. I get distracted in the dream, the doors remains open in the basement or on the … Continue reading
Unveiling – Music Painting
“Unveiling” composed for string orchestra is an exploration of layers of sound. Beginning with one solitary note, new aural strata gradually unfold in which multiple layers of counterpoint constantly shift, … Continue reading
Scissors
I have a thing for scissors. I have to have several pairs in the kitchen, in my painting studio, in the sewing kit, and some smaller pairs for grooming. I … Continue reading
Delusion
Art is not necessary. Art is not indispensable. There are more urgent issues such as maintaining peace, feeding the hungry, and protecting the environment. And yet, if we don’t have … Continue reading
Translating Color to Music
I feel restless again. Restless to translate these colors I have been dabbing with into music. I don’t hear the sounds yet. I just feel the need to remove myself … Continue reading
Seeing is Believing – New Painting
To me, painting in abstract style is synonymous with attaining complete freedom. It never ceases to amaze me that a single piece of art can lend itself to many interpretations. … Continue reading
Unquenchable
I was not born with a paint brush in my mouth. My father was an engineer and spent hours (after work) drawing futuristic cars with ink pens on graph paper. … Continue reading
Dream Machine
Dreams have no rhymes or reasons. We are thrown into a cacophony of images and sounds, making decisions with convoluted outcomes, trying to make sense out of random encounters, unexpected … Continue reading
Entertaining Angels Unawares
I received a secret message. It was tucked between the siding boards of my home. In the middle of the night someone must have brushed off in a hurry without … Continue reading
Abstract Art Prints and New Paintings
Many of you have asked about prints of my artworks. I am pleased to tell you that I am setting this up and can already offer you a few prints … Continue reading
Face To Face – New Abstract Painting
“Face To Face” Acrylics on stretched canvas. The sides are painted, no need to frame. Medium gloss finish. 18 x 24 x 0.5 in (45 x 61 x 1 cm) … Continue reading
New Paintings – New Color Experiments
Here are a few paintings in progress. I am experimenting with new colors and textures. http://www.dosiamckay.com/art/gallery.shtml
Title This Drawing
Help me title this new drawing. The portrait is composed of hundreds of words written quickly in a stream of consciousness. Part a disjointed confession, an undecipherable monologue, or a … Continue reading
Calliope – The Patroness of Inspiration
Calliope is the muse of epic poetry, the patroness of inspiration. http://tinyurl.com/muaj4ru
To Be and to Hear – Abstract Painting
This is a hand-painted digital artwork utilizing new media with abstract fractals. I created this series of paintings in 2007 while I was working as a technical illustrator for patent … Continue reading
Play With Fire – Abstract Painting
Play With Fire http://www.dosiamckay.com/art/artwork/077.shtml Acrylics on stretched canvas, 24 x 36 x 0.75 in, (61 x 91 x 2 cm). Medium gloss professional finish. No need to frame, the painted … Continue reading
Custom Portrait
Have you ever had a portrait drawn? Would you like to surprise a loved one with a unique gift? Commission a custom portrait and I will prepare one of a … Continue reading
New 3-Dimensional Music
If I have been quiet recently, it’s because I am working intently on new music. It’s a large-scale innovative project whose harmonic progression and formal design resembles some of my … Continue reading
Jackie Kennedy – Portrait in Digital Pencil
And here is the finished portrait of Jackie Kennedy. I felt inspired to draw her upon reading her biography. Based on the photograph by Sipa Press/REX. http://tinyurl.com/lkwy97c
Jackie Kennedy – Drawing in Progress
I have been reading Jackie Kennedy’s biography and felt the urge to draw her. Here is the drawing in progress. Based on the photograph by Sipa Press/REX. http://tinyurl.com/lkwy97c
Music Well - Dosia McKay, Composer, Painter, Writer 