Thursday, February 28, 2013

LOOKING THROUGH

 Stephen Croeser

From the poem WHAT TO REMEMBER WHEN WAKING by David Whyte

Now, looking through
the slanting light
of the morning
window
toward
the mountain
presence
of everything
that can be,
what urgency
calls you to your
one love? What shape
waits in the seed
of you to grow
and spread
its branches
against a future sky?

Read the whole poem here.

Stephen Croeser. See Stephen's Face Book albums here.

When describing his work, South African artist, Stephen Croeser said "Architecture as metaphor might be a good starting place .... the threshold or portal .... here and there .... doorways, dimensions etc ..... yet also mark, music, time death, loss, longing, the spritual, memory, energy, and attempts to keep art and life integrated ..... "


Stephen Croeser. Ink, acrylic and pencil on paper. See more here and here

"When space and time are in short supply I tend to work on paper with ink and other water based mediums. It is a way of staying connected and also serves as a means to explore ideas, compositions or territories rapidly. One could say there exists some form of symbiosis between the drawings and the paintings, the mediums being very different with regards to viscosity and the speed at which one can work. However, these distinctions often blur or break down completely.  
The creative process remains a mysterious one, one that, I admit, I do not fully understand. it is experiment, discovery and exploration that are the compelling agents at work here. Thankfully there is much that remains mysterious and hidden to us all." - Stephen Croeser

Stephen Croeser. See Stephens Face Book albums here

Photo by Elena Burj. Found here.

Photo by Avril on Flickr. See more here

Photo by racons on Flickr. See photo stream here.

Window Lighting by Beverly Slone. See Flickr photo stream here

Daniella Witte. See more here.

Passage Way 1 by Eric on Flickr. Click here.

View by Anne Valeur Erichsen. See Anne's Flickr photo stream here

58 comments:

  1. What a great set of windows on the world. I'm sure none of us can resist stepping closer.

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  2. Windows encourage you to gaze, they let you take part in that which is not of you...

    We have few if any window coverings in our house and I love seeing and knowing that the sky, the valley, the horizon is just beyond - day or night...

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    1. Some homes don't need curtains and it would be such a pity to block a view like yours, Fiona.

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  3. ah windows. so many possibilities. look through, block, reflect on...frame and focus
    and then the buzzing of bees against the warm glass on a summer afternoon

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    1. The bees are buzzing as we speak. I am grateful it is the first day of Autumn.

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  4. What I like about pictures of windows is that they usually take us through to another view - sometimes obvious and sometimes just a tantalising glimpse - particularly true of that last picture today.

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    1. The last image is particularly peaceful. It reminds me of many happy holidays.

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  5. Lovely way to start my day. Thanks Robyn!

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  6. My mind doesn't work too much in the abstract but I can fully appreciate the photos/paintings of doors and windows. I want to peek in, walk through or just enjoy the view.

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    1. .... or wonder what is beyond. As India commented.... so many possibilities.

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  7. Stephen's work is so beautiful, windows have never looked so good.

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  8. Robyn, I do love windows and doors! The poem is beautiful as are the images. xoxo

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    1. Follow the link to read the whole poem Annie. I'm really enjoying David Whyte's poetry

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  9. we do have a fascination with the window and the doorway... a frame to see the world.. a view finder... and i love that he uses inks.. to paint... lovely...

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  10. I love the story that I see in the last image....Sometimes windowsand doors are magical portals...

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    1. I saw Anne's image on Tumblr and was so drawn to it.

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  11. Really like Stephen's work here,

    though they seem more like walls than windows, traps in the linear reflection or glare, geometry; logic and the linear allusion to bars... I might not think that if you didn't use the word "window" to relate to it... I'd just experience it without the "label".

    Its rather spring like here today and bright, the heat is off and I have begun opening windows/doors to let in the scent of cut grass, the new air. Gonna b a beautiful day!

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    1. M, you are absolutely right about experiencing Stephen's art without the labels. Stephen himself has said that a title could define and limit the potential interaction with the work. I get such a strong feeling of windows, doorways, portals, but other viewers might think otherwise.

      I can't believe it is the first day of Autumn over here ...at last! Well, the days will probably sizzle for awhile but early mornings are blissful.

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  12. extraordinary post as always, I so look forward to your posts and they more than satisfy. Thank you, exquisite- certainly makes my day/week/month!

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    1. Linda Sue, thank you so much. You've made MY day :-)

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  13. Robyn,
    Thank you for this post. I'm loving Stephen's abstractions, the poem and the other imagery. It is late winter here, and I'm spending lots of time looking through the windows at the sky, the trees, the pastures, waiting for the first signs of spring. The windows frame the view, let in the light and keep me protected from the storms as I wait.

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    1. I love early morning light streaming through the windows, but I also enjoy lying quietly in the dark looking out my bedroom window at the stars.

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  14. love the windows - and Stephen Croeser's quote really speaks to me. Thanks for this beautiful distraction this morning!
    xxoo

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  15. I've long been intrigued by windows, too, and after seeing Stephen's window paintings I just might go ahead and paint the gray morning light through my bedroom window. Thanks for this post, Robyn.

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    1. I would love to see your painting when it's done, Jo.

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  16. Lovely poem, absolutely fabulous windows, I think they are a necessity of life, even cave men had an entrance to look through. I cant imagine not having one.

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    1. To me, a window with a view offers endless hours of day dreaming.

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  17. Windows are the eyes of a structure. .... when we get old our eyes glaze over but a buildings glazing gives way.

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  18. Being a lover of the abstract these appeal greatly. I love portals, usually doorways and pathways, but yes windows too. And David Whyte, who could not love David Whyte. I sometimes listen to him when I paint. And i will get to see him here in May!

    Thanks for a post that beckons and sings with the mystery of an open window.

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    1. Carole, I hope you will blog about David Whyte in May. I'm enjoying his poetry immensely.

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  19. You have a fine creative way to make a post Robyn.
    I like the words of Stephen Croeser about the mysterious ways of the creative process.
    I don't try to explain it anymore, let it be mysterious :-)

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    1. The mystery is part of the allure. What would we do without art in our lives, Wim?!

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  20. Great combination of David Whyte and Stephen Croeser! Actually all the photos speak of what I am feeling....throwing open the windows...fresh air...Spring!
    Thank you for visiting me on facebook!

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    1. Doors, windows, portals and thresholds speak to me of openings to something new or mysterious.

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  21. Yet another beautiful post Robyn. I love Stephen's words about creating even when "space and time are in short supply."
    We continue to express our passion, to create, to persevere.
    Thank you.

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  22. Leslie, I thought you would enjoy Stephen's words!

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  23. ah yes,
    where the light comes through
    windows are essential
    open space
    long vistas
    spaciousness
    no curtains

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    1. Where the light comes through... or goes out. I love to see light spilling out of the doorway into the night...... or onto snow.

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  24. oh yes
    the David Whyte poem
    yes

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  25. through is a good place to go, be see, love.

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  26. Gorgeous photographs but I am really struck by Stephen's work. Thank you for the introduction.

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    1. Seth I love it when readers discover new artists through my blog.

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  27. R - beauty abounds - poetry, paintings and photos - what a feast you have put together. Thanks. B

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  28. I see an emerging pattern here of light, doors, and windows. Very poignant photographs and illustrations. The poem really does paint a picture in the mind's eye.
    Teresa in California
    http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Teresa, I'm happy you see the pattern..... openings, the way through.

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  29. I love your beautiful blog good job Thanks lot for this useful article

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  30. Oh I can never pass up a good window or doorway, my photo albums are full of them and a few on the wall and I am particularly drawn to Stephen's work you've show at the top of the post.

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    1. I LOVE the first painting. It offers hope I think.

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