Moons of Chequamegon.

Humble beginnings keep you root bound.

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

When I was a young boy I would go with my Grandmother every Friday night to her part time job. She would clean offices for some professional folks in town. I would get bored in a hurry and try to find something to keep me entertained.

I would check out each office to find something interesting. Generally each section would have a front office and a larger back office. The front office would have nothing fun. If you would find something it would be the more fancier back office.

The back office would have carpeting and dark wood paneling. Some would reek of cigarette smoke, stale perfume and have faded out landscape pictures hanging on the walls. File folders would be piled up on a fancy oak table. Nothing of any interest to this young kid.

But there was one office that always intrigued me. The dude collected specialized toy trains and other collectibles and had them displayed on fancy bookshelf s. You could tell he did better than the others. His office had a classy feel and felt totally out of reach in the reality of the world to this young mind.

After while I would go right past the other offices and go straight into his on future cleanings and hang out there until grandma was done. Every once in a while I would sit in the fancy leather chair and put my little shoes on top of the dark walnut desk and act like a big shot. Grandma would look in to check on me and say “Kevin get your dirty shoes off there, you know better then that!” and turned around and snicker.

Then one day while I was hiding out under the desk I hit my head on some kind of lever thing. It looked like it could be activated by using your knee. I always had a mind like a curious cat and had to find out what this thing was for.

I followed the wire from it into a lower drawer. When I opened it there was a tape recorder. Even these young eyes and mind could figure this out. After finding the recording contraption the office lost all of it's luster to me. The room felt like a evil tomb. I learned that day about dishonest people working with dishonest people.

From that point on I was proud of my roots. We might not have all the fancy material things these folks have but I wouldn't give up humble beginnings where the spiritual is truly spiritual. And the path is not paved with gold but honesty.

Call of the Raven is sometimes bittersweet.

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

January's Old Moon was on the rise when I was coming home just after sunset last night. With the height of the moon just above eastern landscape it had a warm orange glow to it from the setting sun in the west. I just got done trail running before that and it was a nice way to finish the day. I wish I could have got a photo of it but I didn't have any camera equipment along.

This past weekend I was shooting video in the Chequamegon. The learning aspect of video can be quite a learning experience. A pleasant one if you keep it fun. It was a perfect day that felt more like March than January. Dead calm winds mixed with blue skies and sunshine warmed the earth.

When I first started to record I could hear a pair of Ravens in the distance. I always been fascinated by these large black birds. They are very intelligent and their cousins the crows are amazing. The sad part is they are not the most loved bird. All I hear from the naysayers that they are ugly and useless creatures.

I could hear the Ravens coming in closer. Well by the time I got to the third video recording I called them in with my flute. Apparently they like the key of F. It is turning into a most interesting video. I am trying to add a storyline that will help with the visualization and theme of the video. I hope to have it done sometime next week.

Growing tired of following the same ass.

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

I spent a lot of time on my grandparents farm when I was a young lad. My uncle was still living on the farm. We were closer in age and I kind of considered him more like a big brother.

One of the chores that needed to be done was to go out to the pasture and bring in the cows for milking. And that was me and my uncle's job. Grandpa would send us out early because he knew it would take us a while. Sometimes we would become warriors and hide out in the tag alders (brush) from the enemy (the cows). Or ride bareback on Trigger the horse. Or maybe get into a cow-pie fight. That was fun until you got hit by one.

Eventually we would get out to the cows that have been staring at us for the past hour. I swear a couple of them were snickering at us. Sometimes the cows would start back by themselves tired of waiting for us. They would follow in line and stay on the cattle path in single file order. You would walk behind the long column of rear-ends and follow them into the barn. Each cow has it's own stall and they knew which one was their bay.

I always was amazed how the cows followed the same protocol each day. I wondered what would happen if a cow broke out of line and started dancing around just for fun. Would they all start dancing? Or would they think Betsy got into some bad weed in the south pasture. Or would they just be characterized the "goofy one" that was never normal in the first place. What would happen if one did something completely different and out of character and it became a new trend or vision.

Lately I have been feeling like a cow walking down to the barn following the rest of the herd. Not in 2012 though. I'm going to break loose and find my own path again.

Winter solstice video. Spirit of the Cold Moon.

2011-12-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

The first day of winter is a mild one this year in northern Wisconsin. Not much snow as of yet and little cold weather. It was 5 degrees above 0 Fahrenheit this morning. I thought it would be cool (no pun intended) to hike into a favorite spot deep in the woods and do some video recording.

It is about a mile in from the forestry road to get there. The place I hiked to is Big Bend on the Yellow river. When I started from the truck it was sunny with little wind. But I was going along with the trek the clouds started to roll in and the winds picked up.

By the time I got to big Bend it was overcast and the winds were quite strong. I got the video recorder set up and by the time I started recording my hands were very cold. The place I chose to play from is a high embankment on the river and the southern wind was coming on strong. The loud thundering sound you occasionally hear on the video is the ice settling on the Yellow river.

When I finished and packed up my gear the winds started to diminish. Half way out the sun was coming back out with departing clouds. Back out at the truck it was calm and serene.

I believe things happen for a reason and not always on a practical aspect. Because I felt more than a cold wind out of the south on that winter solstice day.

Surviving December skies

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it is that when the cold overcast days of December come every year you go into a different state of mind. The north wind sinks into your bones and seems to just stay there until the warm days of spring.

...When I was younger and just starting out with a family to support I use to loathe the dank cloudy December skies. It seemed no matter how hard I worked I could never be prepared for it. What I mean by that is the property taxes were due, paying LP gas heating bills, medical bills coming all at one time. There was always a person dressed in a fancy 3 piece that could smell money. They wouldn't sit by you but had no problem taking a part of your paycheck. And when you earn logging and sawmill wages there was never enough to cover it all. It seem the only thought that came to mind was “if we only make it through December everything will be fine”

Since those times the children moved on and lead successful lives. I believe they learned from my mistakes and watching us survive. And now it isn’t so hard to make it through December.

We live in a small community that was hit hard during this recession. And the biggest request during a Santa sitting and talking to the kids was sadly food. The gossip trail didn’t take long to spread the word and since then there is a lot of food drives to restock the local pantry. With the strength of this small community we will make it through December.

I found this video of Merle Haggard and his song "Make it through December" I didn't always agree with his viewpoints but like his honesty. This song seemed to play in my head every December.

Watermelon and cedar. Is there a link?

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

This past week I’ve been working in the studio. Designing a fetish for a wood flute made of Berlinia keyed in low E. Creative thoughts are running through my mind mixed with pearl and ziricote. Or maybe abalone.

But also this past week I started another project of the continuing series “rebuild studio shop” . Last spring I rebuilt a workbench and added a white top to it. You've probably seen it. I take the photos of flutes that I made on top of it.

My lifelong dream of having a nice shop/studio of my very own is becoming more of a reality. Yes I did say lifelong. Currently I do have a shop that does provide the means of producing flutes but I want to improve it.

I took apart a somewhat cobbled together workbench and want to replace it with cedar cabinets and a nice spacey top. Lofty goals but it can be managed.

The desire to build a working studio started back in my high school days. That was my dream to have my own shop and build my own creations.

Then enter our Industrial Arts teacher Mr. Piston. One day in the classroom we were taking a test and out of nowhere he says;

“If any of you students are thinking of opening a small shop when you graduate from this institution of higher learning forget it. There is no money in it”

I don't like to make fun or talk ill of anyone but Mr. Piston couldn't see very well and had very thick glasses. We had to stop him several times from running into walls because his depth perception was not good. Every once in awhile he would be starting a lecture in the wrong direction and we had to guide him back to us. We did it in a tactful manner by asking a question to stir him in our direction. I always held respect for him. Until one day while we were eating Persian rolls from someone going on a donut run that he said:

“What is wrong with youth these days? When I was your age we would go down to Florida and chase after girls. Then after we would find some action we would take a big watermelon and pop a plug out of the top. Then we would take a large bottle of vodka and plug it in the top and let it saturate that melon. You just don’t see that anymore”

I was thinking you probably couldn't see it anyhow. Also I sat there and wondered who would say that to bunch of high school boys sitting up here in northern Wisconsin. Lucky we had enough gas to get our cars to school much less Florida.

We only had him for that year. I believe he transferred somewhere else (perhaps Florida) or he couldn't find his way back.

Amor Gitano. The freedom to find the elusive passion of life.

2011-12-07T05:00:00.002-08:00

As I am writing this post the beginning phase of the Cold Moon is starting to show on the night skies. The Hunter is in the southern horizon. It seems I'm always looking at the night sky for that next song or wood flute creation. Maybe I'm like the hunter smelling the night air of creativity.

Sometimes I work too hard to find the next creative event. It should be a spontaneous, out of the blue type of thing. For some odd reason I get a lot of creative thoughts when I'm trail running. Maybe it is the feeling of freedom or the spirit of the elements like the earth, wind, and the wild.

Lately I have been listening to a lot of Gypsy Kings. My Spanish isn't that good but I really like the song “Amor Gitano” or Gypsy Love. The song is about what a Gypsy would do to find the true love or soul mate of their life. Ahhh to find that elusive soul mate. I was lucky and found mine.

Maybe I like listening to it relating it with my 2^nd passion or love and what I would do to find it's next step.

I must go where the Eagle flies and the Wolf runs.

2011-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

The spirit of the woods sends out a strong vibe. You can sense it in the sunrise, sunset, and the wind. It attracts you like a beacon light to a ship going into safe harbor. I realize not everyone has this same feeling. You mention it to some and generally the reaction is

ickkkkkk.

Oh there are those who use the woods for their own reasons. Some good and some bad. I can keep going on and on about this but I would only get into trouble and that is not the intent of this blog post.

The premise of this scribbled writing is to tell you my values of trail running.

One afternoon I started to think of what I get out of this passion of mine. Before I knew it I had quite a list.

Trail Running=

freedom,

spiritual,

internal smile,

soulful journey,

soaring,

natural high,

guts,

strength,

rain mist face,

pine scents,

earthy,

wind,

mind clearing,

and the list just seems to grow.

The feeling of freedom. No restrictions trying to harness you. Like wild horses running on the open plains and mountain valleys.

Trail running = Freedom

New video with a southwest theme.

2011-11-26T05:11:00.001-08:00

Hi friends, I have been working on this video for a while and finished it. I really like how it turned out. I am blessed to be the one behind the lens taking the pictures and video. Please share if you like it. Peace and blessings especially on this holiday week Kevin:)

Video description; A collection of the beautiful Southwest in photos and video. The musical instrument used was a Native American style wood flute that the producer of this video also made in his studio. Reflections of the Soul is about a journey of the author traveling this sometimes mystical land called the Southwest. The song is from the album "Spirits of the High Plains" that will be released early 2012

White Ash Blood Memories.

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning out the attic in the garage on a warm Saturday afternoon and came upon 10 8' boards of White Ash. I forgot I even had these hidden up there. I took them down and set the boards against the wall.

Then about a week ago I started to design a drone in the key of F. I went out to my wood selection and saw that Ash and decided to use a board for that wood flute project. White Ash has a distinct smell when it is worked with wood tools. I always loved that smell even when I was kid working on my father's sawmill.

Once I started to rip the Ash into flute blanks the scent started to float on air in the shop. As the shop filled with the scent memories came back from where this hunk of wood came from. It was some of the wood from the sawmill. I started to figure out how old it was.

Like wow it must be over 25 years ago I brought this home.

The more I worked on this drone project the images of past flowed through my mind. The life of a northern Wisconsin logger and sawmill person is tough going. The profit margins are little at best. A lot of 7 day work weeks. Working in blizzards or blazing heat. Freezing fingers on frosted metal or blown hydraulic hoses spraying hot oil on you in the heat of July.

Working in those conditions toughens you. It can harden the heart. Its like you become one with the element you are working in. You have to adapt or you wouldn't make it.

I think I could sum it up with this experience. My father and I were sitting under a loaded truck of logs fixing a broken wheel. It was late at night and it snowed all day. Now the wind switched to the north and the temperature was dropping to around 0. Swinging a 10 pound maul trying to get the part off and nothing was going right. Between not feeling my fingertips anymore and my ass frozen to the pavement under us I said "a man has to be nuts to be doing this for a living" My father without missing a beat came back with "it sure does help". I turned and looked at him and busted out in laughter.

I since then softened and have mellowed out.

I now look at that experience in retrospect. And I leave it back there in those times. You have to drop old luggage if you want to grow and move on.

For the most part we all have blood memories. You don't have to be of special birth to have them. Reliving them is the tricky part.

Peace, Kevin

The scent of the Black Cherry fills the air. It's spirit is alive.

2011-11-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

The fruity fragrant smell of Black Cherry wood. When I work with this wood in the shop it fills the air with a sweet scent.

This past week I found a nice hunk of Black Cherry log. With the Poulan power saw I slabbed the sides and peeled off the bark on the edges.

That reminds me I need to sharpen the power saw.

My plans is to make a cherry floor flute rack out of it. This is a first for me. I made bowls and candle holders of of this wood before. But never a flute rack.

I got the slab of Cherry propped up against the lathe. Slowly drying. Currently I got my hands deep making a drone flute. But every so often I will walk over and pick up the cherry hunk. And look at the grain patterns coming to life from the drying process.

It is like it is calling me.

When I was a kid working on the sawmill occasionally we would run some cherry wood through the planner. Generally darker in color than the typical white woods like maple and birch it had beautiful grain patterns.

Maybe this piece brings back memories.

Trail running or Starbucks coffee. Whats going to win?

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Up before the sun. After coffee, morning yoga with the sunrise. After breakfast the plans are doing some trail running up in the chequamegon. For the past 3 weeks I've been running with leg and arm weights to prepare for the upcoming snow shoeing season. The beautiful sunrise gave way to clouds rolling in and a sharp wind.

Then thoughts started to run through my head.

A road trip to bigger city. Maybe do some shopping.

I could already smell the Starbucks coffee... a heavenly scent in the air.

I could run tomorrow instead, I kept trying to persuade myself. Go out for lunch somewhere around the mall. Look at some wood tools at Menards or Home Depot.

But something kept calling me. Nagging at me like my Grandmother used to do when I kept putting something off. Then I figured it was her inner spirit telling me to get off my sorry ass and get up in the woods. That is where you belong.

So I started to put on the long thermals, finished up with the running clothes. I jumped in the Ranger and headed north into the chequamegon. I decided to run on the eskers. It is a coarse with sharp short grades and narrow ridges. The first few grades you feel the burning lactic acid buildup in the thighs. I was feeling it on a long grade when I heard a pair of Eagles squawking across the waterway. Like they were telling me to suck it up and keep moving.

Keep it going Doberstein. What would you do if you had to hunt for your breakfast?

When I heard them it motivated me into the next level. Hills were nothing. My lungs were clear and strong. When I got to the turnaround point I ran up the long knob that I've been avoiding. The distance seems shorter coming back.

The eagles were still in the same spot as before and chirping away at me. Like they were saying

“Become one with what surrounds you.”

Completely engulfed with the forest I came to the realization that I was back at the truck and the run was done. I grabbed a protein drink and a apple and relaxed after cooling down. The eagles followed me up the flowage and soared on the currents and then flew away.

Yes this is where I belong.

That Coyote is now somewhat organized.

2011-11-01T04:57:00.000-07:00

Besides recording music and making wood flutes I also like to spend a little time writing fiction. It keeps my creativity flowing in all aspects. I believe adding the diversity of creative writing adds depth to creating music and flutes. The key I learned is to keep it in balance. Blackpaw is now organized in it's own website. with chapters. It is still a work in progress thing. The story is about a coyote family living on the high plains with the snow capped mountains on the skyline. It seems they are always trying to deal with some problem.

Every time when I head for the southwest a major part of the trip would include driving through the high plains. What never seizes in amazing me is how drastically the high plains can change. You can drive most of the day around thunder storms and the windshield never sees a drop of rain. Or drive around a mesa and be traveling in fresh fallen snow and another mile down the road it can be 70 degrees and sunny. It is an adventure every time.

To some whom, travel through it seems so desolate.

But to me it is an ever changing montage of beauty. When it is my shift to ride shotgun I find myself daydreaming out the passenger window admiring the landscape and becoming one with it. And because of those daydreaming trips I believe I wrote about Black Paw and his family.

My editing friends said “why write about a coyote?”. And I replied “why not”.

Maybe writing Blackpaw is my subconscious trying to release me from the daily grind. Temporally liberating me from paying bills, fixing things that are broke and other things.

How do you find release from the daily grind?

If you want you can listen to Coyote Rock while you're pondering that thought. It is a song I recorded for the next wood flute music project.

Peace, Kevin

Do I smell a happy audience or is it Peking Duck?

2011-10-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Playing at the school

After taking the pictures of the Sandstone inlay cherry flute in my workshop I began reflecting. And after some deep thought I realized how fortunate I am to be on this path of the wood flute. This past week I played in front of a group of 3 to 4 year old’s. At first I was apprehensive of this small gig. But that didn't last long. I like to play with my eyes closed and really get deep into the spirit of the song. But half way through of a melody I opened them a bit. You should of seen those little eyes shining in amazement. I performed without any reverb amps to give it the cool effect. But they loved it anyway.

The last time I performed was at a Chinese bistro. You could smell the egg rolls and onions floating on the restaurant air. We used a large reverb setup and where you sat and played you basically stared at the cook. He would be there hacking up chicken and beef throwing it on the grill and shouting out a waiter name when the order was ready. The place was packed with people. Every once in a while someone would stop and compliment you. The cook liked my playing and brought over a cold drink for me.

But by far the best audience was that clutch of young ones with their bright shining eyes. Innocence is beautiful. They truly have a free spirit.

Peace, Kevin

Rambling Fever

2011-04-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

I’m getting a case of the rambling fever. Sunny and warm spring days seems to always bring it on. It all started back in high school. I would be sitting in the afternoon study hall which really was the cafeteria. It had huge glass windows facing the south and the open highway. Sure you could smell industrial soap used to wash the lunch dishes and the school staff rattling the plates putting them away. But if you concentrate hard enough you would find yourself rolling down a lone ribbon of black looking for the next sunset. You could feel the warm sun glowing in your mind and feel the balmy winds flowing through the car windows. It might have been entirely a mind journey but what a release from high school bullies and teachers who abused their power. Are you ready for a road trip? Visit my Facebook

Touch of Fall beauty

2011-04-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

A touch of the fall beauty in northern Wisconsin. I recently uploaded the song Mystic Light for you to listen and share. You can find it on the Facebook Band Profile tab in the Reverbnation player. The song is listed on top making it easier to find. This tune was recorded with a rim-blown flute with an Anasazi style tuning. I used a piece of western red cedar to make this one. I’m really pleased with the voice of high and low intonations. Very mellow sound. Mystic Light is on the Relax River EP. Walk in beauty

I couldn't get my wood to work that way before.

2010-11-08T06:46:00.000-08:00

Working on some wood can have it's troubles. You think everything is going well and the next thing it blows up into splinters and sawdust.

I started to make a rim-blown tuned wood flute. It feels good to get my hands on some cedar again. I'm trying some different methods of rounding the outside of the rough wood square. And I'm really happy with the results.

Before I used a draw-shave and rasp files to get the roundness. But now I'm using more of a machining approach.

I'm also trying a different bore size in the rim-blown class. My earlier flutes were ¾ inch. But now I'm trying a 7/8 inch bore. I like the 7/8” experimental types that I made.

With Dreams of Peace completed and available on the music market, I'm getting the itch to start a new mp3 and hardcover CD music project. This will the the winter of 2010 and 2011 venture.

I will use rim blown wood flutes on this one. I played the mysterious rim blown for years but never made a album with that style of wood flute.

I did record a song once awhile back using a Rim blown style tuned flute and put it on a video.

Soothing Wood Flute music mp3 album release

2010-10-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

Dreams of Peace hardcover CD and mp3 album are a mix of soothing wood flutes. A couple of tracks also feature a large wood drum that provides a heart-like beat that reverberates. Some will find this a great mp3 spa music album that can help you relax and sleep. Just turn it down low and let the wood flute do its calming effect.

Track titles are;

Moonlight Shadows

Warrior Tears

Night Dreaming

Lunar Shadows

Night Dreaming

Twilight

Star Spirits

Star of the North

Lonesome Warrior

When I started this project my goal was to keep it soothing and calming. I only played wood flutes from my collection that fit that description.

The drum used is from Taos New Mexico is made of Cottonwood and Elk hide. It is a large one that I had to lay on its side in my Ranger pickup box to get it home.

You can pre-listen and buy at:

ITunes, mp3 downloads and album (keywords Kevin Doberstein)

Amazon, mp3 downloads and album

My Store, hardcover CD and mp3 downloads and album

Finding your music CD to relieve stress.

2010-10-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a way to relieve the stress in your life, you can try by listening to calming music. If you want to find a relaxation CD that will work for you then read on.

Recently I had the pleasure of taking care of my 5 month granddaughter. My daughter handed me her and suddenly had to take care of some business out of the room. The child at first just sat on my lap and simply stared at me. And it didn’t take long for her to realize that mom wasn’t coming back right away. I held her several times before this but she could hear her mother’s voice in the background and felt secure knowing that.

But not this time. No mom’s voice talking anywhere. And she didn’t like it at all. She has some very strong lungs for a very little girl. We were sitting in a rocking chair. I tried to talk to here in a very soft and calming voice but it wasn’t helping at all. Then I tried to amuse her with a rattle. That only made it worse.

At this time I turned her around on my lap facing away from me and I held her close. And I started to hum a tune with a very low soft tone. It was a song I recorded with one of my wood flutes. Slowly she quieted down and stared out the window watching the birds fly around. Eventually she was completely content and enjoying life as much as a 5 month baby could.

Every time I thought I could stop the humming tune she would let me know not too. I had to keep it up until her mother came back.

What does this have to do with soothing music and stress?

My granddaughter was showing a lot of stress when she crying. Like most people of all ages she was red in the face from the stress or tension she was feeling. The trauma had her shaking her little body. And man she sure has the lungs to pull it off.

But when I started to hum that tune it was like it put her into another world. It was full of happiness, safety and security. It had a very relaxing and calming effect on her. All the anxiety she was showing just seconds ago just melted away. All from a soft tune I was humming.

Picking out a relaxation cd to help you take out the stress of your day.

Picking out a music CD that has a soothing and calming effect can help take out the stress and tension that builds up in you. Choosing one that matches your personality can be a challenge. What I like to listen to doesn’t mean you will like it.

TIP Let your fingers and the computer do the work. Use ITunes’s or Amazon.com’s search features to find the music for you. Let’s say you are looking for mellow acoustic guitar music. Type in "soothing calming acoustic guitar" in ITunes’s or Amazon.com’s search features and it will pull up a list of artists fitting that description. Both music vendors give you the option to pre-listen before buying.

You can also search ITunes IMix features. IMix are compilations of song tracks that ITunes users have made. It can be mixed with all kinds of different artists. Below is an IMix I created for myself.

There are other music vendors you can check out like Rhapsody. The list it seems keeps on growing. The great thing about using a vendor such as this is the abundant selection of music artists. ITunes and Amazon.com support independent artists along with the ones associated with major music labels.

Another option to find your relaxing music is to visit a music store that allows you to pre-listen to artists. Book and Music stores like Barnes and Nobel or Borders are great for this. Unfortunately they generally only offer major label artists and the selection is limited.

A Relaxation CD or mp3 downloads. Which one is best for you?

I was introduced to an mp3 player when my son gave me his old one when he bought a new one. The one he gave me was a Sansa 2.0GB. These mp3 players are very nice. They are so small and very easy to use. I can’t imagine not having one now. The battery life is long which makes them a dependable unit. Basically when I buy a CD now I download the music in my mp3 player and the hardcover CD just sits on a shelf and collects dust. You can download just the mp3’s from ITunes and Amazon.com. And the downloadable mp3 album is generally cheaper in price than a hardcover CD. But what I miss from this is not being able to read about the music or the band information from the hardcover CD.

Using the tips mention in this article can help you find that special relaxing music just created it seems for you. I can feel the tension already melting away.

Using meditation to free the creative spirit

2010-10-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

Vagabond

Dodging the snares of living.

Eluding the narrow views.

My soul is enriched.

Free spirited and flying limitless.

Through blue skies and beautiful clouds.

My soul travels like a gypsy.

I walk on a endless journey.

Full of beauty and passion.

My soul is unhitched.

Flowing from dream to dream.

My heart never tires.

My soul is forever free.

Sometimes I find myself caught up in the entrapment s of daily living. All of my thoughts burdened in a heavy nonproductive fashion.

People telling me that it will never work. I'm just a dreamer. Dreams never pay the bills.

But I have a different view. It is like I'm sitting on the beach enjoying the sun-setting on the ocean horizon. My outlook is wide and endless just like looking over the sea with warm glows of the sun setting. Each ray is like a vision. The waves coming to shore wash away the thoughts of despair and failure.

Then a huge ship comes out of the harbor blowing it's loud horn. It turns to the right and completely blocks my view. Smoke is billowing out the stacks blocking out the beautiful rays of sun. And they keep blasting their horns at me.

But there is hope. I can still see gleams of sun ray through the black smoke. I can still hear the ocean waves washing upon the shore despite the ship's horns. I can still feel the warm moist air coming from the water even with the ship stealing the view. The balmy wind is gently kissing my face. I will just close my eyes and visualize the open sea in all of it's beauty.

The ship continues to block my view and tries to make me pay attention. The ship is trying to say it is real. It is material. It is all that matters. I'm your destiny. I' your end. Get your head out of the clouds and see what the bona fide truth is. It is me the heavy ship of sensibility and conformity that you should be listening too and not your dreams and visions. Don't rock this ship with your foolishness. Walk this ship's deck like everyone else. Let us decide your future.

But I will decide my own destiny. My mind is my own and not yours to determine the fate of. This ship will disappear like a mirage that will fade into the horizon.

I might fail. But I will learn from my mistakes and become stronger. A resilient force to reckon with.

I will keep free with deep meditation and a beautiful song in my heart.

For my soul is my own and it is free.

I hope your Monday is full of inspiration and creativity. Thanks for taking the time to read the Vagabond.

Peace and blessings friend.

Dealing with creative blocks

2010-10-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

Soft winds of Fall speaking.

Gracefully touching warm rays.

Giving a kiss ever so calming.

Glowing leaves that look ablaze.

Clear my thoughts of everyday clouding.

Take out the chaotic maize.

Open my heart to a blessing.

Like beautiful rainbow archways.

Already the horizon is brightening.

Your strength is with me always.

Creative blocks can be sometimes painful and enduring. Not like a hurting pain. More like a pain where a pill or a ointment can't reach. Creative stumbling blocks can last a long time. Or they can be quite short in duration. It all depends on how things are flowing.

Image by BLGphoto via Flickr

Generally I find creative blocks and a clouded mind are interrelated. What I mean by a clouded mind that it is not cleared of all the garbage that can accumulate over time. Trash buildup from the daily grind. Like dealing with the bills that come in the mail. Making sure the LP gas tank is filled up before the hard winter comes so that you can heat the house. Or getting the car or truck into the shop to get fixed. Just daily things that can seem to build up and take over.

There is another type of creativity block that I haven't mention yet. That is what is instilled on some of us when we grow into adulthood. This especially true in some cultures more than others.

For some odd reason some cultures or groups tell us when we reach a certain age that the colors and art supplies are put away and we are supposed to do more mature things. The art supplies and music are taken away along with the freedom of a expressive creative mind.

I'm not sure of this research I found that only 10 percent will ranked high at age 7 in the creative process because of the education system. And by the time we reach adulthood only 2 percent will remain. But if it is true that explains what is happening. It indicates that the education system focuses on logical thinking over creative thinking. That makes sense since usually the first departments that are dropped are the arts when the budgets get tight.

If you are fortunate to escape this calamity and had a supportive culture or environment that know the true value of creativity that is wonderful.

But for the ones who endured this and tried to break out of the stagnant crust of the practical left side of the brain and explore the right side into the world of creativity it can be sometimes difficult if not daunting. When you do find your creative right side you can find yourself more moody. One day you are flying high and the next all depressed. This is the unpredictability of the right side showing itself.

For some to break out of a lifetime creativity block can be a spiritual event.

For the journey can sometimes be frightening.

That sometimes leads my life in a haze.

But with your strength ever reassuring.

I will survive the world enduring and amazed.

To put side by side these two entirely different creative blocks is like comparing apples to oranges. The first one I was talking about is a temporary thing. But creative block from a culture or environment is a major event

I finished the Dreams of Peace music project. If you are looking for peaceful and mellow music please check this out for the details. Dreams of Peace. KCDoberstein

Sometimes as a artist you have to take a chance.

2010-09-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

Image by Talba via Flickr

You can feel the history as you walk through this plaza in this small southwest town. It hangs in the air like the smoke mixed with spices and hot peppers from the fajita stand. The artists display their creations from fancy booths to blanket covered peach crates. You can buy art for a 5 dollar bill to hundreds of thousands.

People from all heritage and nationalities visit this town. Hoping to get a taste of the old west before modern civilization takes it over and steal the rich landscape and replaced it all with high rises, massive housing subdivisions and wide super highways.

After the first visit you come to realize this small city is more than a image of the old west. It carries a heartbeat that comes from the people who call it home and never feel jaded of living there. And these same people make sure it stays that way.

People that frequent the plaza square generally go on their way without any mind of everyone else. The artists continue to sell their work. The store keepers keep a mindful eye on their customers. And I'm sitting in the center of the square enjoying one of those tantalizing fajitas. Musicians with their acoustic guitars and other instruments move around looking for a shady spot to play for cash.

School buses are parked on the outside streets dropping off students who get a free day off visiting the historic sites of long ago.

Sitting in the center of all this I was getting a stereo effect from a guitar player on one side and a trumpet player on the other. Each were playing familiar everyday tunes. The guitar player decided to use some of his hard earned cash and bought one of those fajitas. The trumpet player wasn't getting much dropped into his instrument case and decided to take a break.

Then he picked up his horn and played a old mariachi tune. Just like someone passing gas on a hardwood pew in church every head turned and looked at him. His trumpet echoed throughout the square. The tune caught everyone off guard.

The kids that were dropped off the school bus were clapping and yelling their satisfaction of the music he was playing. That old Spanish melody. The trumpet player had everyone's attention for a brief minute or two. That short moment of time will be forever etched in that musician's mind.

While it is not known if the musician planned on this or maybe the wind blew hard enough to open up his music book to that particular page and destiny took over. Personally I like to believe it was the latter.

He might got a extra dollar or two in his instrument case from playing the Spanish song. But where he really earned value was in his heart. All the people of every age were taking a small bit of their precious time to show appreciation.

That day played as a important lesson to this humble artist. Not being afraid to try something different in your chosen art form. The man is still a trumpet playing musician but now somewhat more known by taking the chance.

That doesn't mean you are going to have success every time you try something different. I landed flat on my backside a few times when I tried something new in a figurative speech sense. Also what I have learned what doesn't perform in one artist market doesn't mean it wouldn't work in another market. That is where patients become a virtue.

We creative types like to try new things every once in awhile. That is because we have an imaginative and resourceful mind process. That is what keeps us fresh.

Finding your artist niche for happiness and compassion.

2010-09-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

Moonlight Shadows.

Spirit of the Moon, guide me tonight.

Keep me on the path that connects with my soul.

Make my heart strong and enduring to face life's struggles.

Guide me with the grace and beauty from the heavens and the stars.

And keep my life full of happiness, love and compassion.

What is the secret of happiness in the life of a artist.

Is it to be happy and produce beautiful art. Or is it to make a lot of money known as a famous worldly artist. If you are creating artwork just to make money my heart saddens for you. Folks that do that type of thing are a dime a dozen. They usually stand out amongst all other artists. There heart isn't in the art but their empty pockets are looking for cash.

Wikipedia

This reminds me of a place I hiked at a while back. The park allowed artists to sell along the trail heads and small parking lots. It was cool to see the locals displaying their creativity. But the sad part was everyone was basically selling the same style of artwork. All these artists scattered through out the park trying to peddle the same product.

Even their scripts sounded the same. With all the traffic going through the park an artist that showed originality could have a captive audience. Instead of following the crowd if one of those artists would listen to their spirit and came up with some unique creativity what happiness that could have brought them.

I believe that the key of happiness is finding out what your passion is in the world of art and creativity and sticking to it. Development and acceptableness will not occur overnight. But if your creative ideas are sound and viable you will be rewarded with gratification.

By not following the crowd and going into your own dimension you will open up into another realm. When that happens the possibilities are endless. Then other artists will start to follow and emulate you to work into that market. You might think this is a bad thing. It might even make you annoyed. But it really doesn't matter. They will do it anyway. Just stay on your chosen journey.

Finding your artist niche can be confusing. I tried a lot of different art styles and niches. I would start a project and sometimes finish it. It seemed I couldn't find the time to finish some projects. But on some other projects not only did I find the time to finish them but also put out into the market.

I came to the conclusion the reason I found the time to complete them was because my heart was into those particular creations. I have narrowed it down to two niches of art. Those two are my happiness and passion.

I still do other work. But I do this to keep fresh and to help the creativity flow into my main niches. I believe this also strengthens my fortes. I don't really have any plans to develop these projects into any type of market.

By following your heart you can find your passion and happiness not only in your art forte but also life.

What is the Hermit Artist? A somewhat spiritual view.

2010-09-13T06:16:00.000-07:00

I know not everyone had a experience such as this. Some may never experience that type or level of spirituality.

You are standing on mother earth looking up to the twinkling stars on a warm summer night. The male crickets are singing a love chant to their mates. You can feel the dampness of the evening dew on your face. The Full Thunder Moon of July is on the rise and illuminates the deep blackness of night. You can sense the heartbeat of the earth coming up through your feet. She (the earth) is assuring you all is good.

All is beautiful.

Then you realize how blessed you are to be here on this picturesque night of enlightenment.

Your creative soul reaches out for freedom. The spirit with-in is demanding growth and wants to show the world your creativity. Your artistic view of what the universe is speaking to you.

Then the thought comes of what to do with this revelation. What is next?

Maybe you tried to sell your artwork before and nothing seemed to transpire. The pieces you created never sold. Maybe you weren't ready for that level of commitment. Or maybe you didn’t find the right market for your art creations. You can be surprised what can happen when you change the market area or maybe a different outlet source.

But not this time. You will be more organized. Goals will be written down and kept. You will zone out the naysayers. Let them ruin someone else. Let them rule someone that follows their trapping ways.

If you are dealing with a naysayer, first you have to tell yourself this person is only holding you down. Then you have to tell yourself that you will never change this person's outlook. From that point you must move on and grow.

You develop a home studio to practice your art. Staying independent and being able to create anytime without restrictions. You continue to find new outlets for marketing your creative artwork. You keep a positive outlook. And if you reach a creative block use a trigger to release the foothold of your artistic mind.

This is the Hermit Artist.

That doesn't mean you have to live like a hermit. Leading a life of being recluse separating yourself from all human kind. Being a artist that wants to make a marketable product you need social interaction. You need to develop communication skills to be successful. I have learned that from personal experience. I'm more likely to buy a artwork creation from someone who is willing to talk with a genuine and thoughtful voice.

Some of you are probably thinking I’m a bit dramatic in my view of life and creativity. But to me the spirit is everything. The Creator instilled in all of us imagination and inspiration to see and make beautiful visions of art. When you connect with the inner spirit and worry less about the monetary gains you will grow in creativeness and the rest will follow. You have to keep the faith in yourself.

God didn’t waste time making currency to measure a person's wealth. Man did. God measures your net worth by what is in your soul. The Creator knows what is really important and tries to direct you in your spirit.

All is beautiful.

Beautiful Definition. Tranquil Music and a Glowing Sunrise

2010-09-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

Tranquil by definition means "free of any disturbance, anxiety, agitation, or commotion" Or a better way to describe it is a calm or peaceful feeling full of serenity.

To me it would be enjoying a beautiful sunrise or glowing dawn that continues throughout the day type of feeling. It is a powerful emotion that can help you achieve many things

Tranquility Exercise

To vision tranquility draw a mental picture sitting on a dock of a small lake. The sun is setting and the wind dies. The lake becomes completely still with no ripples and wakes. No crazy boaters or other things disturbing the water’s surface. Your mind comes clear of all distractions and all the clutter just like the lake becoming completely still and calm. Your cell phone is shut off. The battery dies in your Blackberry. You turned off the IPod and just are listening to what Nature is providing.

By choosing tranquility over a dramatic and sometimes crazy world can lead in to an inner peace or a settled mind. People around us like to pull you into their dramatic world full of other one’s problems and worries. If its not really any of your concern should you let it be a bother? Sometimes the best thing to do is to show empathy and then walk away.

Then you have the type of people who on purpose try dragging you into a dramatic setting just to stir things up a bit. These folks are pros at it. They know the right buttons to push and prod. The best thing is to just step away and completely avoid the situation. I know it is easy to say but doing it can be very hard. Think of it as a big spider web. The spider or the antagonist is just sitting there waiting for a victim. The fly or you see this web that glistens in the sun. Just fly over that web and become free. Then it is the spider that is victim to its own gripping trap.

Some other tranquil tips;

Finding tranquility can mean different things for each. It could be a walk outside away from everyone. Or maybe enjoying a cup of coffee in some secluded coffee shop. Try to figure out what your escape is.

Find some tranquil music to listen to. This is my favorite way to block out the bad vibes. If you can do this at work it will really help you zone into tranquility. You would be amazed how fast the time will past and how much more you get done.

If you find yourself rushing to get things done on schedule try organizing yourself a bit more. Make a list if that helps. Maybe at the same time you can write down things that seem to irritate you. Sometimes doing this will help you deal with it better.

Try some exercise like walking, meditation or yoga. Whatever works for you. Exercise can help clear your mind of the clutter and will help you relax. The deep breathing generally associated with exercise will lower your blood pressure and heart rate.

At the next sunrise and the breaking of a new dawn.

Sit and take in the splendor that was created..

To remind you that someone is paying attention.

To let you know that a new and beautiful day was created.

Keep that glow within your heart and let it strengthen.

And create a soul of tranquility.

An image of serenity

A soul of peace.

Moons of Chequamegon.

Humble beginnings keep you root bound.

Call of the Raven is sometimes bittersweet.

Growing tired of following the same ass.

Winter solstice video. Spirit of the Cold Moon.

Surviving December skies

Watermelon and cedar. Is there a link?

Amor Gitano. The freedom to find the elusive passion of life.

I must go where the Eagle flies and the Wolf runs.

New video with a southwest theme.

White Ash Blood Memories.

The scent of the Black Cherry fills the air. It's spirit is alive.

Trail running or Starbucks coffee. Whats going to win?

That Coyote is now somewhat organized.

Do I smell a happy audience or is it Peking Duck?

Rambling Fever

Touch of Fall beauty

I couldn't get my wood to work that way before.

Soothing Wood Flute music mp3 album release

Finding your music CD to relieve stress.

What does this have to do with soothing music and stress?

Picking out a relaxation cd to help you take out the stress of your day.

A Relaxation CD or mp3 downloads. Which one is best for you?

Using meditation to free the creative spirit

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