"I want to paint what I feel... and feel what I paint" (Naifeh and Smith 6). In the book, Van Gogh: The Life, by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith, the life of the famous painter, who was labeled as a fanatic in his time, is revealed. Vincent Van Gogh was never truly accepted by his mother, or society. He thought too differently, painted too strangely, and the world could not comprehend him. Seeking acceptance, he poured his whole life into his paintings, every emotion and every thought. His work was him and he was his work.
Society has always feared change and anything different, although that thought is slowly changing as the years progress. People have always favored normalcy because it's something they're accustomed to. But, sometimes there needs to be a change of pace and something different because that way new doors can be opened. That being said, I can relate to Van Gogh a lot as an artist because art is the only thing I can turn to, and it's another way to vent out my emotions. Not everything I draw has a story, but my more serious works do.
Overall, I'm really enjoying this book because it really provides insight on how Van Gogh lived his life and all the challenges he had to face in his attempt to be recognized.
Society has always feared change and anything different, although that thought is slowly changing as the years progress. People have always favored normalcy because it's something they're accustomed to. But, sometimes there needs to be a change of pace and something different because that way new doors can be opened. That being said, I can relate to Van Gogh a lot as an artist because art is the only thing I can turn to, and it's another way to vent out my emotions. Not everything I draw has a story, but my more serious works do.
Overall, I'm really enjoying this book because it really provides insight on how Van Gogh lived his life and all the challenges he had to face in his attempt to be recognized.