I am longing for winter. No, really. I know, now my friends will really start to worry about me. Hans finally lost his marbles, right? Well, before you write me off, hear me out: Winter is the season for me to go deeply into creative mode. The silence of the "dark season" opens up an internal space that calls for musical ideas to come forth. I am starting work on a "deep space" meditation CD for a wonderful record company named- well, we'll announce this later. Suffice to say that there will be a new Hans Christian CD in the not so far future, and I'm working on the first piece of that deep meditation CD now. But some stormy cold days would surely help the creative flow!

Which leads me to offer this: if you are an artist and want to record during "the dark season", consider a visit to my compound in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin, with all the amenities one needs to be cozy and creative- yoga studio, sauna, guest quarters, and STUDIO 330. This is a dream-come-true place, and I'm blessed to be able to work with artists from around the country while being here. Nothing is better than doing music here. I'll keep going with it, and you are welcome to participate! Check out my studio website for details at www.recordingstudio330.com.

One of the best parts of playing concerts is meeting other  interesting, inspired artists. On one such occasion, It was my honor to meet and play for the great painter and visionary Alex Grey. Traveling with the GuruGanesha Band along the East Coast in 2012, we were invited on very short notice to come to Alex and Allyson Grey's compound  called CoSM, in upstate New York and play a concert.

Alex Grey and his wife Allyson are amazingly creative people. Both are painters, but more so, they are visionaries who hold an arc of light for humanity in their works. Intense, radiant, and transcendental, Alex' work especially will leave you almost gasping in wonderment with its detailed depictions- it is as if he paints energy bodies, radiating life force with maximum intensity. It is quite amazing what he does.

Their 40 acre compound outside of NYC, is based on the Chapel Of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM), a monumental plan to create a exhibition space for their artwork and for other artists to share their creativity. The property is a former convent or religious retreat, with mature woods, various outbuildings and outdoor sculptures that other artists installed. It is bustling with creativity and joy. What a role model for us artists here in Door County,  Wisconsin!

So, when I was asked to play solo at this caliber setting I went deep. Closed my eyes, no stories, with complete focus on the music. I think I played two solo pieces- long enough to really affect the place with my music.
It seems like Alex and Allyson loved it. We had a deep conversation afterwards that brought us closer and shared deep insights.

GuruGanesha continues to attract amazing opportunities to connect and celebrate creativity. Our set as a band also was cherished by the local posse of artists and staff and our stay at the compound was an event that stayed with me ever since, and I hope to play there again one day....

To learn about Alex Grey's work, visit www.alexgrey.com



photos courtesy Chia Ortegon.