‘Is it not emotion, the sincerity of one's feeling for nature, that draws us, and if the emotions are sometimes so strong that one works without knowing one works, when sometimes the strokes come with a continuity and a coherence like words in a speech or a letter, then one must remember that it has not always been so, and that in time to come there will again be hard days, empty of inspiration.’
Excerpt of a Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
Arles, c. 7 July 1888
Arles, c. 7 July 1888
Those words resonate with me. I have been thinking about what compels me to make so many paintings of the orchard-I never think about it while I am in progress, only after I have produced a series do I reflect on why. In essence I think the orchards in bloom hold a resplendent optimism –I think the rows of white are leaning into the sublime-my friend calls it tree-worship. But what are They worshipping? Besides the bearing of fruit, I find they are feminine in their gesture, in their stance, in their limbs. When in bloom they merge with the sky into an otherworldly guise. The culmination lasts not even a week, and I think that is what I find to be so compelling.
This painting is one of my finals from the season. Part of it was rendered in response to a photo taken by my dear friend last week. We were WAy overdue for a good visit. With dogs in tow and drinks in hand we hiked out to the orchard, sat under those glorious old trees glistening in the late day sun, and caught up with our lives.
*I have been pouring over letters written by our Vincent. All 874 are posted on a very easy to navigate website: the Van Gogh letters
http://www.vggallery.com/letters/main.htm
*
Capturing the fleeting beauty around us is surely something all artists should do - I'm glad you do it! I just saw a wonderfully informative show about the Real Vincent. It went into what the neighbors thought and why (took a bit of the gilding off this person who had so many mental and emotional problems). I didn't come away thinking badly of him but thinking I, perhaps, knew him a bit more fully. The show used the letters and paintings and places from Vincent's life.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard this song in thirty years. Last night a friend asked if I would drop by to visit the Misfit Lounge, a youth group he's organized. He was presenting some of his paintings, Biblical subjects. As part of the evenings festivities they played this video. Balled my eyes out. Something is afoot. This is so odd and synchronistic. I don't believe in coincidences. The painting is wonderful, Jan, softer than usual, somehow more unified. Nice.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by Rhonda--sounds like an interesting and honest account of our Vincent--do you happen to recall the name of the documentary?
ReplyDeletehey Bill, you're right-what're the odds??? hhmmm...something may be brewing...
ReplyDeletelove the name of the youth group---Misfit Lounge--thanks for your comment re my softer work--reflective of my mellow, older years perhaps..
Very nice painting...and the song is sublime
ReplyDeletehi Celeste--thanks for stopping by--and for the compliment!
ReplyDelete