// Meet Vincent Van Gogh //

I. The Life

1. Childhood
2. Teens
3. Adulthood II.The Legacy
1. Career
2. Goal
3. Influence
   III.The Legend
1. Popular Misunderstanding
2. Cultural Image

Vincent Van Gogh

                                                                                                                

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most well known and easily recognizable artists in Western art history and also one of the most misunderstood artistic figures. He remains a major influence on other artists and the history of art in general. Furthermore, he was a unique and sensitive individual who was articulate and intelligent as a man and an artist. Yet, he is remembered by many as simply a mentally ill man who painted the few striking works that have entered pop culture and ultimately committed suicide. When we look at his life, we can better understand the legacy of his work and also evaluate the legend that he has become.

     Van Gogh was born in 1853, (Van Gogh Museum) in the Netherlands. Growing up as a minister’s son in the country shaped the sensitivity that would later become his trademark. In his teens, his job at an art dealership exposed him to new art, literature and life experience. Afterwards, he floated among professions. His parents began to worry about his lack of direction so he studied to go into the ministry. Although he was deeply spiritual, this path soon proved too studied and disciplined for him, and he became a missionary among the poor instead. Though this work suited him better and he was well loved, his lack of orthodoxy and ‘success’ resulted in

his dismissal (Schapiro 4-6). However, during this time he began sketching and realized that perhaps he was meant for another path.

   His career began in tentative steps as he began exploring artistically. He studied, practiced and improved (Schapiro 6). He knew what he wanted to achieve- what remained was to see if he was capable. Before long, he realized that he was. Although his style and vision evolved over the years, his goal shines through in all of his work. His goal was simply to touch others and express his deepest values and feelings through his paintings. Through his career and gradual torment by mental health problems, we can trace his urgent need to find his voice(Schapiro 4). He did, but very few could, or can, understand what he was saying. Artists of all fields remain influenced by Van Gogh (Wikipedia). Most harbor within their hearts a hope to approach the vivid expression that has made him into an icon- those sweeping strokes on canvas that seem, in their flashes of unexpected color, to brush the universal human heart.

What of his legend, the myth we have created to surround this man that simultaneously glamorizes and marginalizes his troubles and triumphs?  The problem is that not many know who he really was. Being separated by a gulf of time inevitably creates a disconnection from any historical figure. Van Gogh is no different. Films, books, and general misinformation have created a sensationalized image (Wikipedia), but when we study him through the lens of his own letters and the writings of those who were close to him, we find a more holistic, realistic picture (Van Gogh Museum). We meet a troubled but brilliant man, who even through the disappointments of life held desperately to his task of creating beauty that expressed his pain and his hope.  

Works Cited

“‘Cultural Depictions of Van Gogh’” Wikipedia  Wikimedia Foundation. Web. Nov. 8, 2016

Schapiro, Meyer. Vincent Van Gogh Portfolio Edition, Harry N. Abrams, New York. 1969. Out of Print

"Van Gogh's Life, 1853–1890 - Van Gogh Museum." Van Gogh's Life, 1853–1890 - Van Gogh Museum. Web. 08 Nov. 2016.

(Written for English class)

// portraits //

 

Full portrait, as promised. I don't have a name for this one... Suggestions? • • #portrait #painting #acrylic #red #girl

A photo posted by nina derespino (@ninette1998) on May 18, 2016 at 1:06pm PDT

Full shot of Memories. Anyone guessed the subject? • • #portrait #painting #acrylic #man #green

A photo posted by nina derespino (@ninette1998) on May 18, 2016 at 1:07pm PDT

I've been getting into acrylic in the fairly recent past... I'm loving doing these portraits. I'm planning to do more, but I say that a lot and then never fulfill so no promises.

// drawing //

 

decided to chill, draw and listen to music, in defiance of the huge amount of dishes i need to wash... they'll wait a little longer. today's the first day we've had to rest in weeks. we're halfway through our run of the sound of music! i edited the photo a little to show the colors better. 

// painted in blue //

i've been waiting for some feels to write, but since none are coming i guess i'll write myself some feels...

via pinterest

i am painted in blue, today

shades and tints of deep and fade

hues greenish and black

i stare at nothing

i blink

i feel if i were to cry

my cheeks would become stained

with oceanic ink

and if i speak

the words would drip 

with raw, rough sapphires

so i'll stay silent

yet even in my silence

i hear the color

i am painted

soaked,

seeped 

in a melancholy of blue

// il canto- tragicomic and song translation //

note:this post originally appeared on my other blog, which I no longer post to. I thought it was of a nature to share here as well. I've edited the post slightly from it's first form. enjoy!

I call this a tragic. It's like a comic- but not comical.

I'm not sure how many hours it took, but I worked on it over the course of a couple days. I took probably 4ish hours one day, maybe more, and probably around the same the second day So I'd say between 6 and 9 hours. And it could be refined quite a bit. O-o But I'm proud of it. I worked from a variety of reference material- why don't I more often? It turned out so much better than normal. But afterwards I was really tired.

Drawing should not be as exhausting as it is.

And, since the text is in Italian, I will now translate.

'Il Canto'- Italian to English translation

Copyright:

Writer(s): Raffaele Riefoli, Luca Barbarossa, Alfredo Rapetti, Romano Musumarra
Copyright: S.I.A.E. Direzione Generale

La notte qui non torna piu                      The night doesn't come here anymore

dal giorno che sei andata via                   Since the day that you went away

Ed il cielo smesso di giocare                  And the heavens have ceased to play

con le stelle e con la luna                        With the stars and with the moon

E le nuvole sono ferme qui                     And the clouds are still here

Come lacrime che non cadono                Like tears that cannot fall(or, that I cannot cry)

Vedi, come il tempo                               You see, as the time

Perde anche il ricordi                             Wastes even the memories

Resta solo il canto                                  Only the song remains

di un amore che non muore                    Of a love that cannot die

Prendi la mia mano                                 Take my hand

Danza con il vento                                  Dance with the wind

Apri la mie ali                                         My wings open

 Posso solo amarti cosi                           I can only love you this way

Vieni, vieni via con me                          Come, come away with me   

That's my translation, with help from google translate and Ryn. It has a repeat but it doesn't fit into the tragic and so I didn't include it. I'd like to attempt a rhymed version sometime, and to try to do more justice to the Italian... Is it not sad? Is it not beautiful??

If you have a chance to listen to it, you should. Il Volo's version with Placido Domingo is what inspired this, but I know Luciano Pavarotti does it, I believe Maestro Domingo does it solo, Paul Potts and Katherine Jenkins also do it I think. I haven't personally listened to any of them, but I'm sure any version would be lovely. If you try any of them let me know!!

{also, in case you wondered, the characters are my originals. some of you  know somewhat of them. they are... deeply sad in story. i love them.}

// project: book cover //

It needed a new cover, so... I was able to use a real photo of Gaudenzia for reference which is cool. Acrylic on fabric #painting #acrylic #gaudenzia #margueritehenry #book #artista #horse #lettering #bookcover #coverart #read #horsebook #italia #palio #cavallo

A photo posted by nina derespino (@ninette1998) on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:04pm PST

Thought I'd share this project I did this afternoon.... I used THIS tutorial to cover a book( the only difference with a softcover is that you trim the tabs at the spine instead of tucking them in.) Then I used acrylics to paint the design. I did a layout sketch first, I really did, but I messed up somewhere and so the letters aren't centered. Next time I'll be more careful:) The horse and lettering was free-handed. Anyways, I hope to try to share more creative/art/etc. posts here as time goes on... also, I'd love to have guest posts if anyone's interested (and can walk me through how to do that;)

 And, you should read this book. Even though it has an ugly original cover in the current paperback edition:) It's simple and lovely and set in Italy... It's one of those horse books you read as a kid but then actually continue to like. Marguerite Henry was one of, if not my favorite authors when I was little and liked horses. And although I don't love horses now(actually I'm a little scared of them, but still love to paint them) and like other author better, her books still hold a special place in my heart.

p.s. if you're on Instagram, prepare to be disappointed by mine- it's all art and I'm still working towards what I want my aesthetic to be. My sister, however, has artsy photography so if you're looking for that vibe, check her out @rynd01

// a painters wish by karin boye //

A PAINTER'S WISH

I would like to paint a meagre fragment

of the shabbiest everyday, so worn and grey,

but radiant with that fire that made

the whole world leap from the Creator's hand.

I would like to show how what we disdain

is holy and deep and the Spirit's attire.

I would like to paint a wooden spoon in such a way

that people had an inkling of God!

xx by Karin Boye xx

 zinaida-serebriakova

haiku #4

// You be the potter

find my hearts imperfections

and shape them anew //

jeremiah 18:1-8

// how to paint the painter... //

I was thinking earlier, on the way to church. I don't remember about what, actually, but somehow it lead to these thoughts...

via pinterest

As a Christian artist (and I don't necessarily just mean visual artist, but artist in general) sometimes I struggle with knowing how exactly to show God in my work. With wondering how much I need to have all my art and music 'sacred'. And the thought struck me-

I can't really paint a picture of God. I have to try to convey his attributes somehow and that can be daunting enough. But rather He should be in the paint, in the colors, in every note and tune and word.

 And He will shine through the beauty, probably better than if I always tried to make everything somehow related to a Bible story or something like that. God reveals himself in nature, and beauty, in a totally different way than the Bible obviously, but none the less real.

So while I want to of course make art and music that is specifically 'sacred' or for the church, I think it's important to make things that aren't 'sacred' (although in reality for the Christian there should be no such line) and through them reach the lost in ways you might not be able to otherwise.

 Now I don't mean that we should be making things that are counter the Word of God. You can't be dabbling in music that is sinful or making sketchy(pun not really intended) art. No, no and again no. That is the farthest thing from what I mean. Not that we aren't all guilty of that from time to time. What I mean is excellent beautiful art. Art that still is, at it's deepest, as sacred as a sinful human can attempt.

Anyways there's my random musing of a ramble for tonight It (as usual) is not fully thought through yet, and I need to study it out some more, look at the Bible and so on. I'm so abstract with my thinking that I hardly ever get that far, which is something I need to work on.

 I'm going to post another haiku as well, because I love haiku's and they are really the only kind of poem I feel I can systematically achieve.

I'd love to hear what you think about the article. Do you agree? Disagree? Have something to add since I've probably missed something (I cannot for the life of me write well when listening to any vocal music...) I'll always love to hear anything you have to say!!!

//flowers//

I used to think Imagination and Creative Ideas would just appear in your head. But now I see that it's not like that at all. Flowers don't just pop out of the ground. You (or Someone or something) have to plant them. And water them. And, as lovely as they are then, grown and wild, in order to make a beautiful, purposeful bouquet you must pick and arrange them. Until then they simply grow-you helped, of course, but the process was natural and God given. The art lies in then taking those flowers(or talent) and thoughtfully using them to make something, give it your own touch at last and show what the planting and watering bought forth. But not just to show, but to beautify, to intensify, to explain- to CREATE. As we were created to do.

image via Pinterest

//poem by emily dickinson//

//if I can touch one soul for God, I shall not live in vain.//

//He commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey Him//

'For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof... He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves therof are still.'

Psalm 107:25,29

Winslow Homer

'Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them,'

Psalm 89:9

Winslow Homer

'Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves...

and the tumult of the people.'

Psalm 65:7, emphasis added

God is in control of the universe. The oceans, unfathomable to us, are held or release by His voice, 

their ebb and flow weak compared to His Breath of Life.

We need not fear what men can do to us.

God is more vast, more deep, then the ocean itself. 

We can't even imagine or begin to comprehend.

I wish I could... Instead I will contemplate the sea.

It's wideness(not as wide as His mercy), it's depth(nowhere near as deep as His love) and it's terrible power(nothing compared to Him).

It can wash away a life in a heartbeat.

He can wash clean a life in an instant.

Now that I'm thinking about the ocean I realize I could go until the water meets the horizon 

seeing ways God reveals Himself in this one section of His creation.

I think He must like symbolism, myself.

He put it into every bit of His work. It is for us to look for it. And to see it in all it's beauty. 

And of course. to show it to others. in our own work, picturing His work and Himself. His children, his workmanship- also revealing Him, alongside all creation. 

//les miserables//

 

I love Les Miserables.
The book, the musical(25th anniversary concert, is all I'll say), and even the newest film, though I have some issues with, well, most of the casting. I own an old French film version that I've yet to watch, but I can't wait to watch that as well.

The beauty and humanity of the story, the themes of redemption and love, and the drama and realism of the characters.. (I haven't yet read more of Victor Hugo's work, but I'm planning on it. The Disney film of "The Hunchback of Notre-dame" has made me want to read the book, although I know it's much darker.)

And Enjolras and the others don't harm anything either.

"Do you hear the people sing? 

Singing the songs of angry men,

 It is the music of a people 

who will not be slaves again! 

When the beating of your heart

echoes the beating of the drums, 

there is a life about to start

when tomorrow comes!"

Fantine's story is so tragic but true. And although it seems far removed, a story of the past, my heart breaks when I think of the women even today who- through, yes, their own poor choice, much of the time, just like Fantine- are put in the same position. And even though it often is their own fault, does that make it any less sad? I often try not to think about human trafficking- the horror of it is too real and as a young woman myself, a little too close to home in it's fearfulness. But if we turn away, who will help them? I pray that God will someday use me to help those in literal bondage...

"There was a time when men were kind

When their voices were soft

and their words inviting,

There was a time when love was blind,

and the world was a song

and the song was exciting

there was a time....

then it all 

went

     wrong..."

And of course, Cosette and Marius' heartwarming love story. So maybe, in the musical especially, it seems a little... silly. But when you think about it, particularly if you've read the book, their story is a beautiful example of pure, true love. I don't know about you, but when I read Solomon's example of a courtship (Song of Solomon 1-2), I don't see perfectly planned outings and strict rules. Nor do I see immoral, halfhearted dating around with whoever strikes you at the moment.

 I see two people whom God has brought into love, sitting in a garden, talking heart to heart about their love and coming marriage and their deep love for each other. It's beautiful. We shouldn't forget that God ordained love, between the two hearts of a man and a woman. We shouldn't be scared of it, any more than we should cheapen it. Our society has distorted love, but I fear we Christians either go with that flow, or in our proper fear of it distort love too far in the other direction.

Love in the end is just a gift, another picture of Himself that God placed in creation to remind us of who and what He is.

And then there is beautiful Marius-in the book he is a lovely thing, much more so than in the musical-Eponine's selfless love, Jean Valjean of course and his amazing redemption, Javert and his dilemma of justice and grace, The Friends of the ABC and their vision for a better future...

So these are just a few of the reasons I love Les Miz. And you'll probably see more of it in future posts. But for now, 

"Remember the truth that once was spoken- To love another person is to see the face of God."

all artwork original by myself

lyrics from 'Les Miserables'

//art //

 I've just been looking at some art...
(I'm supposed to be cleaning. I can't escape it forever.)

These portraits of Bedouins by John Singer Sargent are just really beautiful to me.










 They are so regal and defiant... and it makes me sad knowing  when these beautiful people died, their souls were probably lost forever.

 John Singer Sargent








"Go you therefore and teach all nations..." Matthew 28:19












And these portraits of Egyptian Woman... I'm not sure if they are both the same lady. She's so proud and mysterious.

John Singer Sargent

                                                                               Philip Alexius de Laszlo

And then this painting I found on Pinterest a long time ago... (I finally just did an image search and discovered the who the artist is. I'm loving his work.)

Anyways, this is one of, if not the, most beautiful portraits I've ever seen... I'm slightly obsessed and I only wish I could paint that well. His eyes, his turban, his expression!

These aren't very ponderous thoughts. Just beautiful paintings.

And a challenge, both personal and to anyone reading- how are you doing with your witnessing? I'm absolutely terrible. Shyness is an easy excuse... but I'm not sure in light of the souls it could be wasting that it's a very good one.

What's your excuse?