Van Gogh Blog

One Painting Speaks a Million Words

        Vincent Van Gogh is a very famous post-impressionist painter. He was born on March 30, 1853 and died at the age of 37 on July 29, 1890 due to suicide. What I found very interesting about him was the fact that his masterpieces of art only became famous 'til after his death. It was quite disappointing to know that Vincent never got any fame in his lifetime and people did not realize how much brilliance this man had and such beauty he included in his work. He didn't have the most successful life, and I can understand how frustrating and sometimes even furiating it would have been if I had made thousands of creations and only one had been sold. Van Gogh went mad at one point of his life but I still think Vincent was very detirmined and was born to be the person he was for a reason. Even when his paintings weren't sold, he still continued to do what he loved. I like the fact that he had tried multiple careers in his life, but eventually found something that was his true passion! Something that he was born to do! In my opinion, I love being creative and doing art. Whenever I do art I prefer to put myself into it; meaning I want to be inspired by something, so that whatever emotion I'm feeling can be spilled out and be present in my work. I prefer to do landscape and still-life art. Sometimes you also tend to say more things in the art than you could in words. I took a look at more of his paintings and I honestly can't explain how much it got me thinking. I realized the different emotions you get when you look at each different one. Each one gave a different mood, and they somehow told a story like each one was speaking. One of my favourite paintings of his is "Starry Night" which makes me think of one of his quotes, "I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day."The painting seems so lively with swirling colours at one point, then at another so mysterious and dreamy it makes me feel like I could just wish upon one of the stars in the scenery. There's just something fascinating about that picture that just draws me into it. I would like to know the meaning of his art pieces and why such a brilliant man ended his own life the way he did. Why exactly did he go mad? Was there no other way out of the depression he was experiencing? I think Van Gogh's life story is one you don't hear everyday, and we should understand that he put his heart and soul into his paintings. Maybe Van Gogh and some other people's bad thoughts and problems would just disappear for even a few hours while painting. For them it's a joy that makes them feel like they're running away from their hectic lives in the process without actually leaving home. I think art can be an adventure for everyone, and when that adventure starts it never ends...

                              - Christine C.