Window by Chipka
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Description
When I returned to Chicago, Corey lived with an intriguing roommate named Andrea. He lived in an intriguing apartment, made so by Andrea’s paintings all over the place: works in progress, works that have reached completion, works that stood precariously on the edge of destruction in favor of something newer, more technically-refined, or at least more colorful. Andrea, a painter, maintained a sufficiently painterly atmosphere. I have come to recognize her as the Master (Mistress?) of the downturned mouth. In all of her paintings of people, the mouths were serious—the lips were thin, and at complete odds with Andrea’s disarmingly gentle expression. I think she is interested in the starkness of the human face, in expressions of age and concentration. Her downturned mouths were fascinating if at times, disturbing. She has a thing for color, so maybe the facial expressions of her human subjects are a kind of counterpoint to the vividness of her work. She is an artist. She calls herself an art student. But Andrea is like that…she lives in a world of odd specifics and distinctions, and a bit more self depreciation than you’d expect from someone as comfortable in front of a camera as she has proven to be. She’s decent behind the camera too, but photography isn’t really her focus.
When I returned to Chicago, I found Corey living in an apartment I didn’t expect to see him in. It was a pleasant surprise; there was a familiarity to everything. There was a cat with a mythic name and a typically cat-like demeanor. A tom-cat, thus clumsy and carefree. He didn’t really live up to the mythic-ness of his name, but oh well…since when did cats ever care for labels. He knew his name, because when you call it, food is somehow attached…that was good enough for him.
Corey no longer lives with Andrea, and in some ways that’s a good thing. That apartment was small, after all. But what I miss about it is the light. Leave it to a painter to find a place with good light and strange windows. Leave it to Corey to know a painter in need of a roommate, a painter who allows the roommate to establish himself in a room with strange windows. Corey has a knack for things like that.
I took this picture on the day that I crawled around under the kitchen table, snapping pictures of a painting-clotted dining area. Did I mention that there were paintings all over the place? They weren’t an intrusive presence. They smelled good! They were strangely comforting; they smelled of sunflower seeds. They were colorful and in various stages of completion, and they added a note of vibrant life to a largely quiet apartment. They were intriguing, and to this day I’m more aware of the downturned mouth than I’ve ever been. Funny how a frown (or at least the implication of a frown) can be such a strong symbol for something in the work of an artist! What that something is, I dare not contemplate. I know Andrea well enough to know that perhaps a frown should not be explored too closely. They’re like the contents of the bottom shelf of a refrigerator (that shelf you always forget about moments after something mold-friendly has been placed there.)
I love this window. There were two of them. This one has inspired a story I have yet to write, and it will be something posted here at some point.
In terms of this picture itself, it's been tweaked a bit. Corey's wall was not so distressed, and the room was not so dark. I simply played with the shadows and brought out a mood that makes me want to write something that captures that mood. It will appear in the writer's gallery...later, but until then, here is a window from an apartment that smelled of sunflower oil and canvass.
As always thank you for viewing and commenting and reading.
Comments (25)
beachzz
Windows to the world--to the soul. Even though you talk about paintings and downturned mouths, this makes me think of light and the view out that window. The shadows make it moody, the actual light gives me hope that there is more nearby.
koosievantutte
i never can pass an image of a window - i love windows. they are the eyes that give one the chance to look inside and outside. they filter the light and frame the images. what's more, they are all different, they all show different pictures, yes windows are probably my most favourite things and i wish i were a better artist to make use of them. luckily there are lots of people who get their meaning and know how to picture them.
wysiwig
I had an odd reaction to this. It seemed somehow sad like a ray of hope falling on a prison cell. An excellent treatment of an ordinary subject. It has real impact.
myrrhluz
When you pass by an abandoned, neglected house, the roof may be sagging, the door off it's frame, but it's the windows that seem to reproach you. Windows are a conduit between what is inside and what is out. Shuttered windows say keep out. Some windows are prosaic, mild, not really saying very much. Not this window. Your treatment of it has made the floor and ceiling become lost in obscurity. The angle of the wall seems to be acute. The wall is distressed and blank. To me this brings a sense of emptiness and loneliness. The light is freedom, but the window is shut. Does one open the window and embrace the light, or sink down into the dark corner? It is a powerful image, and that's how it struck me.
bmac62
My reaction isn't odd...I feel like you've walked me through Andrea's and Corey's apartmment (now defunct), I can see it and smell it and the smell is pleasant. I can see Andrea and her paintings...the mystery left for me to contemplate IS the one you say you dare not contemplate...clever move here:-) The mystery of the downturned mouth... And finally, I am drawn back to the picture of the window...that you've postworked as a lead-in to another story for another day. Hmmmmmmm. Most enjoyable.
Roxam
primal light and primal darkness, together divided, rose and fell, eternally pure, everywhere else is the great diffuse... vellum? beautiful postwork
helanker
I cannot make your story and this picture fit together. I just cant. I like bot alot, as I like you story very much and I like this window too, but I cannot make the colorful description of Andrea´s flat and this window with empty walls fit. :-D
kgb224
Outstanding work my friend.
Meisiekind
Ouch - this speaks to me - loud and clear... Being where I am in my life at the moment, I find this image soul bearing. I see the glorious life giving light, yet I just want to crawl in a fetus position in that dark corner... Sorry - that's just me. Thank you for sharing Chip!!!.. and for understanding!
prutzworks
brilliant lightplay
ladyraven23452
Ilove it i offen look in windows from afar and wonder.
MrsLubner
I have been in love with light through windows since I was a toddler...haven't we all? Early on we grab at sunbeams as if we could capture a piece and hold on to it for good luck.
MrsRatbag
Wonderful POV and lighting! And of course the Chiplet...
durleybeachbum
Like Helle, I find it hard to put your words and this cell-like space together. This is the sort of place where I should have a death-wish! But your narrative made me happy! How odd.
blankfrancine
A window suggests so many levels of interpretation.Fantastic work of light and shadow.
elfin14doaks
Oh that's right I remember you being under the kitchen table to get shots from the cats POV. Interesting shot and background story.
mermaid
the darkness you added enhences the mood in the fine shot...although I have problems imaging you under the kitchen table taking shots...lol
NefariousDrO
You make me want to meet this painter, now... In many ways I've always thought that Chicago and New York are great cities for painters: plenty of older buildings (those interesting windows you talked about) and a wide array of fascinating people. I really like your picture of this window, too. The stark contrast in lighting is at odds with the soft edges and soft beige colors. Great stuff!
auntietk
You are a master at creating a mood. I read your work, and I let my breath out in a whoosh when I come to the end, not realizing I had stopped breathing. I have no idea how I lived to such an age without having your writing around me, waiting to wrap me in a warm blanket at odd and random times. Ahhhhhhhhhhh ... wonderful.
watapki66
A wonderful stark thought provoking shot!
KatesFriend
Curious. The scene brings to mind the bedroom I shared with my sister when I was very young. Perhaps it is the pale winter like light that reminds me. One of my earlies memories is of a small window such as this. Though, I did not think of it as small then since I was quite small myself. My sisters bed was next to it and I could climb up (when she was not around) and look out - a very key amusement for someone no doubt just out of his toddler years.
romanceworks
Seems stark in contrast to the vivid paintings you described. CC
frodo
really enjoyed this. nice post.
nikolais
Chip. i really like this image very much...there's a soul in here, in the story or between the lines
blondeblurr
You know, when you sit really still and watch those sun-volumetrics, you can actually notice dust particles dancing around and then watch them forever, lot's of different shapes are visible. I dream of atoms splitting just like that, well in my imagination only... Cheers BB