For I do not exist: there exist but the thousands of mirrors that reflect me. With every acquaintance I make, the population of phantoms resembling me increases. Somewhere they live, somewhere they multiply. I alone do not exist.
― Vladimir Nabokov, The Eye
The painting shown here, Mirrors and Windows, hangs here in the studio and I pass it several times a day–it’s on the way to the bathroom. But even though it’s been in this spot for several years now, it usually draws my attention. It’s been that way since it was painted back in 2013.
As I wrote back then:
I found myself looking at this piece quite often in the studio, trying to ascertain what it was that was pulling me in. As I looked, I began to be more aware of the road running through which signified to me our life’s journey. We spend our lives looking in mirrors and out windows, living in reflections of ourselves and the outer world.
There must be some perfect balance in this. Somewhere, somehow, we hopefully reach a point where we know who and what we are and turn away from mirrors and begin to look for windows in which we can expand our vision of the outer world and gain greater wisdom.
Years later and it has carried the meaning well that I gleaned from it back then, that real art serves as both a window and a mirror, giving the viewer insights and views into the world and reflecting their place within it.
Just this morning, I stood in front of it and wondered if was looking at it as a mirror or a window.
I came to the conclusion that it might be both.
Redtree Times 
Interesting. If I’d seen the painting without your commentary or title, I would have seen pools of refreshing water in a sun-drenched landscape.
Actually, you commented back in 2013 that they reminded you of portholes. They can be both, right?
That’s even more interesting. It’s evidence that even when a painting remains constant in its details, the same person can see it differently over time. Context matters, I suppose. In 2013 I was closer to my sailing days. Today, I’ve spent three weeks working every day in 90-105 degree heat, and probably am predisposed to look for “coolth” wherever I can find it!
That’s interesting and makes a lot of sense. I can certainly see where you might want to see coolness in it.
I found what was nagging at me. Heraclitus (b. 544 B.C.) said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
I know that quote well and it is gold. Thank you, Linda.