Bomen c. 1976 - 1977

This black and white print by Kees Stoop pictures trees, as the title 'Bomen' suggests, using a delicate, precise etching technique. I can imagine Stoop, out in the landscape, squinting his eyes to really see, and then meticulously translating what he sees into these fine lines. He’s not just copying, but trying to capture the essence of the trees, the way the light filters through the leaves. See how the lines create depth, suggesting a whole world of trees receding into the distance? It reminds me a little bit of the work of other graphic artists like M.C. Escher, who also played with perspective and detail. For me, making art is like having a conversation. Each line, each mark is a thought, a feeling, a response. Stoop is in conversation with the landscape, just like I'm in a constant dialogue with painting itself. He's not just showing us trees; he's sharing a way of seeing.