Community Chat

[shoekitty]

Usually mental illness such as bipolar, schitzophrenia don't show their ugly head until 14-16.  Usually in men it is when testosterone levels sore.  At first it such seems quirky to family or friends, or just being an angst ridden teen. That photo of young Vincent was commissioned by his parents. I believe when he was living at home. . Shortly after he  went to England, wanted to become a Presbyterian pastor, but sadly was not good,  he spent years throwing himself into dire poverty to suffer helping the the people of the Baronage or Boranage ?! I didn't spell that right , I am sure?   He really scared,people there. With his over th top passion. Sleeping on cold floors, no blanket, denying himself food, etc.    As well as in England when he fixated on the Pastors daughter, he wanted to marry. His life changed after that as he was not good at preaching. After a few of his sermons, parishners stayed home, and complained to the Pastor. He was sure God hated him, he had done something wrong. He  spent years  trying to earn Gods love. Which I feel wasn't true, because God always loved him. Vincent just didn't see it, if he didn't get what he wanted. He just couldn't understand why he couldn't be a pastor, and kept trying to prove his love to Gods.  But it doesn't work that way.   After the Boranage, it was downhill mentally, where he found love in prostitutes and one young woman, who was also not reputable.  His painting was dark, like the Potatoe Eaters and such.   Beautiful but dark. This is years before he goes the way of Pissarro and enters Impressionism. There again his impressionist wasn't what they considered kosher at first.   As for Vincent's nose, it that portrait he still has health, and youthful padding, lol. Later he did not eat, the money Theo sent went to,paints, absynth, he drank it,like crazy. I think constantly licking his chemical oil based paints, turpentine, and such didn't help.   He was skin and bones which lengthens the nose, and with age grows and can droop. He also wasn't flattering in his portraits of himself.   He only sold one painting in his life. If it wasn't for his brother Theo on a mission to collect his works after his death,, we would have much left.  Vincent gave away most, which were used to cover holes in barns and outhouses. Poor guy. The song Starry Nights really captures his heart for me.     I often think of Vincent walking through the villiage to,paint at dusk.  His shocking red hair, poking out from a big straw hat he assembled with burning candles on top, in order to see while painting. .  The kids running behind him laughing, taunting him thru the villiage sometimes throwing rotten tomatoes at him calling him names.    Sigh.  Best book ever written on Van Gogh is by DAVID SWEETMAN. Van Gogh, a life .  It is out of print, but well worth it. It is all true. He was given access to all 800 plus letters Vincent wrote, plus access to Theo, his family and other documentation.considered the Bible on Vincent.   By the way, Vincent was named after his older brother who,died at birth.   Vincent passed the grave everyday with his name on it. The parents idolized the first Vincent for some reason and constantly talked about him. They think this always made him feel less,  just a thought. Sorry for long post.  I am just a fan of Vincent, warts and all

[1Snickers]

  I joined my high school art teacher and a local group on a tour of France and Italy. We would usually stop and find places to set up and paint. 
  At Arles where Van Gogh painted we went out at pre dusk when the sun glowed above the fields. My instructor mentioned the light that was conducive to painting in Arles. Sunflowers were blooming in fields as we painted. 

    We saw many original paintings and I've seen more in museums since. But the trip where the artists painted was fantastic! 
     🛫👨🏻‍🎨👩🏻‍🎨🧑🏼‍🎨🎨🌻🌌🎇  

[Mersha]

@shoekitty  Thank you for sharing your knowledge on the life of Van Gogh. 

He lived with a myriad of demons in this life.  I can't imagine what it felt like to walk by his brother's grave (the first Vincent) and see his name on the gravestone.

I enjoyed reading your thoughts.

[Burnsite]

There is a Van Gogh Museum in Amersterdam--it's fascinating.  Those deep-set blue eyes saw things in a unique way.

[MarnieRez3]

@shoekitty 

Fascinating post! Thank you so much for all this incredible information about one of the world's most adored artists.

Whenever I hear the song Starry, Starry Night, I always am moved by the line, "This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you."

[MarnieRez3]

@Mersha 

Thank you for posting this photo - so remarkable to see. 

[moonandthestars]

I don't know if it's still going on, but last year (and the year before) there was a Van Gogh Immersive show that was in different cities and towns.   It is possible that it's still in some towns.  These are short run shows.  I wish I had gotten to see it.  Just fyi, there have been and are different immersive shows out there (mozart, etc.)  Google and see what you find.  Hope you can still find the van gogh.

[Enufstuff]

@shoekitty     Thank you for that wonderful post about Vincent Van Gogh  I knew some of his life story from studying art in high school. But I never read his biography.

   He had such a sad and troubled life, it is amazing that he had such prolific talent to create. All that work and he only sold one painting in his lifetime.  

  I remember  when Don McLean's Vincent (Starry, starry night)

came out in 1971. It struck me as it did @MarnieRez3, especially the line "This world was never meant for one as

beautiful as you." The song still brings tears to my eyes as it did in 1971.

   He only lived 37 years. He looks so much older in his self

portraits that reflect his hard life and his suffering.

   When Joan Rivers sold her egg pendants, I bought the one

named "Starry Night". It has dark sapphire colored crystals and

little gold stars. I had to buy it in memory of Vincent.

[Enufstuff]

@1Snickers   How fabulous that you traveled to France and Italy

with your art teacher. That would have been a dream come true,

to actually paint where famous artists painted and to see the famous

paintings. What a wonderful experience.

    High school Art Club opened a whole new world for me and

began a life long love of art and creating art. After high school,

I learned oil painting and later at a local college water color painting.

    Fortunately, living not far from Boston and Salem, I have visited The Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Peabody Essex Museum, in Salem, many times. They have special exhibits on display featuring famous artists, that are there for a while, in addition to the permanent exhibits.

  I have never been to France, but did travel to Italy in 2006 and saw gorgeous works of art and architecture.

  You must have wonderful memories of your trip and art experience in France and Italy.