Happy Birthday, Vincent!

Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists and his work has made a significant impact on my own work. His brilliant use of color to convey his feelings about his subjects was ground breaking, if not welcomed and recognized as genius at the time. The frenetic energy and contrasting calm he created often within the same works through flashing brushstrokes, and dots and dashes of thick buttery paints in equally contrasting colors is reflective of the struggle in his own mind and soul. I’ve read that at times he was so anxious to get paint on the canvas he would often squeeze the tubes of color directly onto the canvas instead of taking time to put it on his palette first. Such energy! It’s as if that enormous energy was infused into the very paint itself. It is difficult to appreciate the beauty of Vincent’s paintings and drawings without giving pause to the enormity of his life; at least for me.

So much has been written about Van Gogh, and I won’t attempt to delve too deeply into the details of his life here; but I will endeavor to paint a quick portrait of his life. (Did you see what I did there? ☺) Van Gogh was raised by loving and devout parents, although he grew to disagree with them on most things. Although they weren’t happy with his decision to become an artist, eventually they supported him in his choice. His mother taught him and his five siblings to draw at an early age, but at the time he didn’t show any signs of the greatness yet to come. To be fair, who besides Picasso really has? She also made a point to share her love of nature with her children by taking them on long walks each day and having each one tend a section of her garden, undoubtedly influencing Vincent’s art later on. He struggled in school, and left for good at the age of 15 and from there he bounced from job to job not being very good at any of them. He was moody, often ill-tempered but still full of love and passion. He struggled with mental illness and epilepsy, possible lead poisoning and even sun stroke has been suggested due to his prolonged time painting outdoors. He was rejected romantically, along with his art, and in every other sense. In fact, he only sold one painting during his life. He was given money by his brother Theo, for food and living expenses but Vincent spent most of it on paints, cigarettes and alcohol not taking very good care of himself physically; no doubt contributing to his ill physical and mental health…all in all, a fairly tragic life. But, there were moments of splendor…of happiness, and sanity and love and friendship…and hope, although these feelings never lasted long.

When he died, and after only ten short years as an artist, Van Gogh left behind more than 600 letters to his brother Theo, whom he had a very close relationship with, 1000+ drawings, and over 900 paintings; the physical remnants of a man’s tortured mind and his longing for peace, love and friendship. How wonderful it would have been if he could have known what he would come to mean to the world. His life and art has been the subject of songs, biographies, novels, tv, and movies. In fact, I’ve prepared a listing of ways you can honor Vincent on his special day.