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
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
Geometry, Language, and Music – My Path to Composition – Radio Interview on “Zero Crossings”
What do geometry, language, and music have in common? The ancestral shadows, George Michael, and creative loneliness – it’s all there. I am talking about my convoluted path to composition … 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
Eternal – Mandala Drawing
The beauty and power of geometry. The mysticism of sacred mandalas brings order into chaos. I have been experimenting with these concepts lately and find them inspiring, centering, and relaxing. … 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
Composition Competitions – Gambling and Return on Investment
I have been sharing my successes and hopes with you, but have been concealing failures and struggles. It is not all glitter and red carpet in my profession. It is … 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
Unconventional
When I talk about Endless Immersion, I’m supposed to have an elevator pitch to capture your attention in one sentence. I don’t have it. I don’t even know what genre … Continue reading
Jackpot – New Composition Inspired by a Visit to a Casino
It is odd to imagine that a quick stroll through a casino would become an inspiration for a new composition for a chamber group, yet the surround-sound cacophony of blips, … Continue reading
Glossolalia Premieres in China
NeoQuartet is taking Glossolalia to China to the Beijing Modern Music Festival, marking the premiere of my music on the 4th continent. http://neoquartet.pl/ http://www.dosiamckay.com/glossolalia.shtml http://bmmf.org.cn/EN/CalendarDetail.aspx?id=540
Taking Musical Chances, Reaping Musical Rewards
More than a year ago I took a chance on a string quartet from Poland I have only heard in recordings. I flew in to Gdańsk, we met in person … Continue reading
