Fragility
A year ago, during great personal distress, I composed Fragility. Now I am haunted by the same feelings as are so many of my family and friends. One might have … Continue reading
Rapturous Amazement
What is the purpose of life? In my view, the purpose of life is to enter a state of rapturous amazement. If we take the time to look around, we … Continue reading
Back to the Novel Writing
Some of you have asked what happened to the psychological thriller I was writing last year. I had to put it aside for the last few months as I worked … Continue reading
The Cemetery
Cemetery in Wejherowo. This section dedicated to small children. Growing up in Poland, I was never sheltered from the reality of death and suffering. I remember visiting the graves of … Continue reading
Toolbox
You can accomplish anything if you have the right tools. However, the problem often lies in the fact that the right tools may be out of reach, you may have … Continue reading
Fragments
I think about all the places I have ever lived and feel a profound sense of loss. I am grateful to heave been exposed to different environments and experiences, but … 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
Rediscovery
Dandridge, TN – rediscovering the town of my birth, of my American birth, that is. Remembering how difficult and lonely the first years were and how many people showed me … Continue reading
The Climb
Mount Shasta. Out of every three climbers who attempt the summit, only one reaches it. But not before conquering the Misery Hill, which is described as a false summit. You … Continue reading
Pilgrims
We are all travelers, pilgrims, believers in higher purpose, traveling in different directions, but somehow on similar paths. Or maybe on different paths but drawing the same conclusions. Who knows? … Continue reading
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
Women Who Shape Us
I will wish my Mother a happy Mother’s Day on May 26 because that’s when the Polish celebrate it. Today I am posting a photograph of my Grandmother. Not a … Continue reading
Cello – A Guarded Love
The more I play the cello, the more I love it. But if it loves me back, it does so in a guarded way. I have to spend many hours … Continue reading
Dear Fans, I Need Your Help!
Dear Friends and Fans, I need your help! Please help me spread the word about my new album “Endless Immersion”. I have no agent, no publicity firm, and no organization … Continue reading
Endless Immersion – A Sonic Experience
Endless Immersion is out as a 2-CD set and an MP3 download. If you are looking for a truly unique sonic experience, look no further. http://tinyurl.com/kge5osr
Endless Immersion is Live!
Endless Immersion is live! Today I am sending out all pre-orders and new orders. Are you ready to be immersed? http://tinyurl.com/kge5osr
Times of Solemnity and Reflection
Times, seasons, holidays, remembrances. It’s good to have days set aside for reflection and solemnity. Though our perspectives of the World may differ, we share the the joys, sorrows, and … Continue reading
Endless Immersion – New Album of Experimental Music
Endless Immersion, a new album of experimental music is set to release on April 9, 2015. Endless Immersion – The Concept I want to challenge the traditional way we listen … Continue reading
Black
Today my hair is nearly black. I am wearing black turtleneck and black pants. I carried my lunch in a black paper bag, forgetting that I already had another black … Continue reading
Work Hard, Play Hard
I am working non stop on this latest release, hoping to bring the music to life this April. Music is done, graphic design for the album cover is done. Now … Continue reading
Arts Education Behind the Iron Curtain, Part 1
I feel very privileged to have devoted much of my life to the study and practice of music. Having attained degrees from two American universities after completing studies in the … Continue reading
Is Now Not Enough? – Where Music and Poetry Meet
Have you downloaded the free track from my latest album? “Is Now Not Enough?” – read about the inspiration behind the title. Please share, like, and comment. https://soundcloud.com/dosiamckay/is-now-not-enough-1
I am an Exhibitionist
I am no psychologist, but sometimes I think that our adult years are only meant to be spent resolving our childhood dramas and fulfilling our infantile dreams. Why do I … Continue reading
Being Uncreative
Today I was asked to please go to my studio and work. Apparently I am unbearable when I don’t create.
Originality, Imitation, Success, and Failure
Wishing you and myself many brave attempts, a few graceful failures, and many original results in this upcoming New Year. “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed … Continue reading
World War I Flavored Film Score
Here is a soundtrack I composed a few years ago to “Brothers in Arms” (2006) by Amos Ezra Katz. Using French horns, English horn, clarinet, guitar, and percussion, I attempted … Continue reading
Are You a True Artist?
I see these inspirational articles floating all around me, forcing me to examine my artistic direction and stripping my soul to bare bone. Are you a true artist? – they … Continue reading
Fear
Uploading the recording session of my new album to my computer. If the hardest part is behind me, why am I so nervous suddenly? http://www.dosiamckay.com/stringquartet.shtml
Composer’s Diary – Writing a String Quartet – Part 2
Life, death, ecstasy, discarding two weeks worth of work, and starting over – I talk about it all. I’m taking you behind the scenes of composing my new string quartet … Continue reading
Enchantment from Lacrimosa
It’s an enchanting day today! A preview of one of the tracks from my debut album Lacrimosa. Hear more music and download the album here: http://www.dosiamckay.com/lacrimosa.shtml
Personal Recommendation
Personal Recommendation If you want to get anywhere, you need to be introduced and recommended by another person. Do you want to land a graduate school, a new job, a … Continue reading
Epiphanies
I have been reading my diary from ten years ago and stumbled upon a very important turning point. In October of 2003 I wrote timidly: “A thought has been coming … Continue reading
Where Does a Talent Come From?
Where does a talent come from? It’s a lucky combination of genes, sometimes from the immediate ancestors, and sometimes from generations far beyond our knowledge. Here is a photograph of … Continue reading
Studio Visit – New Music for Vibraphone and String Quartet
Jason DeCristofaro is visiting my studio to look at the vibraphone piece I wrote for him. The fast runs and intervals in both hands seem to work well. I will … Continue reading
New Piece for Vibraphone and String Quartet
I am writing my new piece for vibraphone player Jason DeCristofaro. Jason is a talented musician both in the classical field and jazz. He is also a published composer. The … Continue reading
New Music for Vibraphone and String Quartet
My new piece for vibraphone and string quartet is taking shape. I don’t remember when was the last time I put so much joy and vibrant color into a composition. … Continue reading
Dosia McKay – Is Now Not Enough – String Quartet Premiere
Enjoy the video of the recent premiere of my new string quartet entitled “Is Now Not Enough?” during the Composer’s Voice Concert in Jan Hus Presbyterian Church in New York … Continue reading
Music Well - Dosia McKay, Composer, Painter, Writer 