Change
Change is difficult because it confronts me with the impermanence of all things. I must say goodbye to this home, to this friendship, to this idea of where I fit … Continue reading
Goodbye
Dear Asheville, Thank you for everything! The last five years have enriched me with new friendships, scenic natural surroundings, and much inspiration for music composition and art making. I am … Continue reading
A Musical Riddle
I came across this chart today while sifting through some old scores. It was tucked away in “Lush”, a piece I composed for soprano saxophone, and jazz chamber orchestra. I … Continue reading
Treasured Possessions
Some of the most thoughtful gifts I have received over the years have been music scores by other composers. I have many officially released works, as well as a few … Continue reading
A Patch of Blue – Analysis of the Music Score by Jerry Goldsmith
The following is a scholarly paper I wrote during my graduate studies at the New York University in the Fall of 2009, a requirement for professor Ronald H. Sadoff’s class … Continue reading
End of the Chapter
I will be sad to leave my studio at the end of the year. I spent 4 years in this space composing music, painting, writing, playing instruments, and singing. Creative … 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
Watercolors for Symphony Orchestra
When I take a break from music, I turn to painting. My favorite media are watercolors, acrylics, and ink. When the paint is introduced to a wet canvas, it takes … Continue reading
“Mathis der Maler”, Symphony by Paul Hindemith – Analysis
The following is a scholarly paper I wrote during my graduate studies at the New York University in the Fall of 2010, a requirement for professor Justin Dello Joio’s class … Continue reading
Women Composers in the 21st Century
Following is a list of women composers who are living (have lived) in the 21st century. This compilation focuses on composers of contemporary classical (art) and experimental music written for … Continue reading
Seven Colors of Love
Seven Colors of Love Love is green Like freshly-cut grass Raw earthy and sour The stiff sharp blades Pierce your bare feet Without apology Love is blue Like mother’s blouse … Continue reading
Endless Immersion Now On Spotify
Endless Immersion is now on Spotify. 2 hours of pure, gently enveloping bliss to wash away all evil and pain from the face of the Earth. https://open.spotify.com/album/1o9kiRc1sn39JSEBTCQRWw http://www.dosiamckay.com/endlessimmersion.shtml “Endless Immersion … 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
Glossolalia now on Spotify
I am excited to announce that my album “Glossolalia” is now on Spotify. I recorded the album two years ago with the fantastic string quartet from Poland – NeoQuartet and vibraphonist … 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
A Winter Memory from Poland
A winter memory from Poland, many years ago: Apocalyptic amounts of snow paralyze the entire country. Trains equipped with plows are not able to get through. Forget about buses and … 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
Seeking an American Premiere of a String Quartet
I recently sent the score to “Glossolalia”, my string quartet, to Canada. I am happy that this piece is enjoying international travels. It has been previously performed at music festivals … Continue reading
Seven for Piano Solo
“Seven” – a newly completed piece for piano solo. A virtuosity fix of sorts. Colorful harmonies and cascading arpeggios. For virtuoso and advanced pianists. Get the score at http://dosiamckay.com/music/seven.shtml
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
Impression for Piano Solo
Look at what I have unearthed for you! I composed “Impression” in 2007 when I was studying composition at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. At that time I was … 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
“May Night” by Tadeusz Miciński
Crowned donkeys sat on the grass – crickets kiss a wild rose – and death shimmers on the pond and plays a frolicking song. Mayflies, … Continue reading
Contemplation of the Score in Slow Motion
I dragged up my 52-lb weighted Kurzweil keyboard from the basement in order to stammer through some Bach and Chopin to remind myself what compositional craft used to be about. … Continue reading
Not Knowing
I remember that day a year ago. It was before I began composing “Endless Immersion”. I only had a general idea of what I wanted to do, too vague to … Continue reading
Anemone – A New Way of Composing and Listening
Has it been three years already since Anemone was interpreted through this beautiful dance? The final track from the album “Lacrimosa” has a special place in my heart, as it … 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
Triptych for Cello and Piano
I am going through some of my earlier scores and came across the Triptych for cello and piano. My fascination with the music of the early 20th century is evident … 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
