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.
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 ..... "
"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
What a great set of windows on the world. I'm sure none of us can resist stepping closer.
ReplyDeleteStepping closer.... and looking through.
DeleteWindows encourage you to gaze, they let you take part in that which is not of you...
ReplyDeleteWe 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...
Some homes don't need curtains and it would be such a pity to block a view like yours, Fiona.
Deleteah windows. so many possibilities. look through, block, reflect on...frame and focus
ReplyDeleteand then the buzzing of bees against the warm glass on a summer afternoon
The bees are buzzing as we speak. I am grateful it is the first day of Autumn.
DeleteWhat 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.
ReplyDeleteThe last image is particularly peaceful. It reminds me of many happy holidays.
DeleteLovely way to start my day. Thanks Robyn!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the post Crystal.
DeleteMy 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.
ReplyDelete.... or wonder what is beyond. As India commented.... so many possibilities.
DeleteStephen's work is so beautiful, windows have never looked so good.
ReplyDeleteHis work is beautiful isn't it?!
DeleteRobyn, I do love windows and doors! The poem is beautiful as are the images. xoxo
ReplyDeleteFollow the link to read the whole poem Annie. I'm really enjoying David Whyte's poetry
Deletewe 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...
ReplyDeletea view finder ... I like that.
DeleteI love the story that I see in the last image....Sometimes windowsand doors are magical portals...
ReplyDeleteI saw Anne's image on Tumblr and was so drawn to it.
DeleteReally like Stephen's work here,
ReplyDeletethough 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!
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.
DeleteI 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.
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!
ReplyDeleteLinda Sue, thank you so much. You've made MY day :-)
DeleteRobyn,
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
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.
Deletelove the windows - and Stephen Croeser's quote really speaks to me. Thanks for this beautiful distraction this morning!
ReplyDeletexxoo
Thanks Judy. Glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see your painting when it's done, Jo.
DeleteLovely 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.
ReplyDeleteTo me, a window with a view offers endless hours of day dreaming.
DeleteWindows are the eyes of a structure. .... when we get old our eyes glaze over but a buildings glazing gives way.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.... windows/eyes to look through.
DeleteBeing 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!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a post that beckons and sings with the mystery of an open window.
Carole, I hope you will blog about David Whyte in May. I'm enjoying his poetry immensely.
DeleteYou have a fine creative way to make a post Robyn.
ReplyDeleteI 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 :-)
The mystery is part of the allure. What would we do without art in our lives, Wim?!
DeleteGreat combination of David Whyte and Stephen Croeser! Actually all the photos speak of what I am feeling....throwing open the windows...fresh air...Spring!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting me on facebook!
Doors, windows, portals and thresholds speak to me of openings to something new or mysterious.
DeleteYet another beautiful post Robyn. I love Stephen's words about creating even when "space and time are in short supply."
ReplyDeleteWe continue to express our passion, to create, to persevere.
Thank you.
Leslie, I thought you would enjoy Stephen's words!
ReplyDeleteah yes,
ReplyDeletewhere the light comes through
windows are essential
open space
long vistas
spaciousness
no curtains
Where the light comes through... or goes out. I love to see light spilling out of the doorway into the night...... or onto snow.
Deleteoh yes
ReplyDeletethe David Whyte poem
yes
Indeed!
Deletethrough is a good place to go, be see, love.
ReplyDeletestepping through..... finding something new
DeleteGorgeous photographs but I am really struck by Stephen's work. Thank you for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteSeth I love it when readers discover new artists through my blog.
DeleteR - beauty abounds - poetry, paintings and photos - what a feast you have put together. Thanks. B
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the feast Barry :-)
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteTeresa in California
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/
Hi Teresa, I'm happy you see the pattern..... openings, the way through.
DeleteI love your beautiful blog good job Thanks lot for this useful article
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog.
DeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the first painting. It offers hope I think.
Delete