Friday Feature: Van Gogh

The Red Vineyard at Arles by Van Gogh

If I had to be banished to a deserted island and could only bring one book I would choose my Van Gogh.  His work is infinitely rich in color, texture and composition.  I think that he was able to capture the movement of creation, the balance of sticks and leaves and water and air... 

bursts of color.  

In 1997? (maybe) I got to see the works from the Van Gogh Museum when their collection was in Washington DC.  What was most amazing about seeing his work in person was how thick the paint was, thick and downright sloppy when you are closeup.  But if you back up- the whole picture is polished and bold. Because he allowed for imperfections he better reflected the rough and gruff essence of the real natural world.

If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint' then by all means paint 
and that voice will be silenced.
-Van Gogh

And yeah... just like all of my other featured artists this month he is dead.  The worst part of his story being that only his brother gave his any real support and recognition before he got lost in despair and committed suicide.

Let us not allow this to happen to our friends.

Let us support each other.

Let us recognize the brilliance in every person so that from them this kind of work can emerge.