The book Lust For Life, a biographical novel about Vincent Van Gogh, is 488 pages. I am on page 312. Vincent has just moved to Paris and is living with his brother Theo. On page 312 he is looking at a painting by Georges Seurat, in Seurat’s studio. Van Gogh hasn’t cut off his ear yet, or shot himself in the abdomen. He is still alive.
On page 194, Johan Tersteeg of the Goupil Galleries in The Hague, said to Vincent, “I am really disappointed, Vincent; your work remains uncouth and amateurish. Of one thing I am sure, you are no artist.”
Vincent didn’t quit creating.
“I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.”
―Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent is still alive on page 312. The novel is based on letters Vincent wrote his brother Theo.
Who is this man whose work was ignored during his lifetime, but was seen as brilliant after his death?
Vincent Van Gogh is dead at the end of the book. I don’t want to read that yet. I am reading slowly so he is still alive.
Create what is inside of you. Don’t care what others say about your work.
“If you hear a voice within you saying, ”You are not a painter,” then by all means paint… and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent van Gogh
Keep your ear and your life. Paint.
xo
Pamela
