Art History with Vincent

Dear Theo: The Autobiography of Vincent Van Gogh edited by Irving Stone

Van Gogh was a remarkable artist in the 1800's. I became interested in him after reading Irving Stone's biography, "Lust For Life". I am currently reading a book of letters by Van Gogh, also compiled by Irving Stone, that Vincent wrote to his brother, Theo.  In it he refers to many artists, both masters and contemporary struggling artists as himself, that he admired.  In order to understand Van Gogh and his artistic walk, I decided to compile these artists. Some I could not find, but others, thanks to the modern convenience of the internet, I was able to easily locate. I hope that others that appreciate the genius of Vincent will enjoy the journey through his letters as well.

Vincent writes:

"Last week I was at Hampton Court to see the beautiful gardens and also the palace and the pictures. There are among others many portraits by Holbein which are very beautiful."

"This Meryon, even when he draws bricks, or granite, or iron bars, or a railing of a bridge, puts in his etchings something of the human soul, moved by I do not know what inward sorrow."

"In Millet, in Jules Breton, in Josef Israels too, one also finds even more in evidence this precious pearl, the human soul, expressed in a nobler worthier tone, more evangelic if i may call it so."


I will be adding to the list as I go through the book and hope you will join me as I take a personalized lesson from one of the greats!


Here is a comprehensive list of Van' Gogh's letters.

GoodReads: A Fun Place to Keep Track of Your Books!

Hunter of Peace, Mary T.S. Schaffer's Old Indian Trails of the Canadian Rockies by Mary Schaffer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This true account of Canadian woman adventurer, Mary Schaffer, was a loving tribute to our country's natural beauty. She, her female companion and their guides travelled over peaks on horseback in the turn of the 20th century searching for the Indian legend, the Maligne Lake. Her writing is rugged and beautiful as is the land she traversed. She writes humorously as well, as she recounts the pack horses that became their friends.
This version also contains her 1911 Expedition to Maligne Lake which she took to survey the lake along with her sister and young nephew.
I bought this book while on the shores of Maligne lake. it is an awe inspiring place and reading her account, I imagined the pristine majesty that met them before tourists and bookstores came.

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I remember clay

I used to the rub the cloth of my pajamas to help me fall asleep.

I used to rub the indentations of old chicken pox scars until they bled.

He ridiculed my attempt so I left the odd, yellow, innocent replica of a buffalo skull or so I thought.

He Obeyed...

Joyous day in the church today. A young man became a Christian today. He is the son of a couple that are very faithful in the church. When he was at home, he came grudgingly with them.

He eventually moved out on his own and stopped attending. A couple of months ago, he started attending of his own volition. He showed up at services even when his parents were away on holidays.

After a strong Biblical lesson this evening on the meaning, necessity, nature and result of repentance, he came to the front to show that that after hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, he believed it, for himself. There was no doubt that he understood repentance after sitting through the lesson. He made a public confession that he believed that Jesus is the Son of God then he was baptized for the remission of sins.

As he stood in the waters, waiting for the moment, his mother tearfully moved closer to capture the event on film.

Stacked and then Some

I thought I could resist and stick with the idea of only buying books when I want to read them, but I fell victim to another book sale.

1. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. I was reminded about this book when someone said she had top billing (hah,) in the play.
2. The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton which is a popular money managing book even after 22 years. I borrowed it from the library a few months ago but someone else put it on hold so I couldn't renew it. I only read the first few chapters but it had some good ideas and presented it in a story form.
3. Leo Tolstoy: His Life and Work by Paul Birukoff, who was a friend of Tolstoy. The sale only had Volume one. Volume two is when it gets really interesting though, as it talks about his religious views, in which I know we are at variance, because at the end of his life he did not believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
4. Then, drum roll or tuba blast, a book that could be revolutionize my book reading experience called The Book Group: A Thoughtful Guide to Forming and Enjoying a Stimulating Book Discussion Group edited by Ellen Slezak and foreword by Margaret Atwood. Could this be done on-line ?

What were the last books you purchased??

Just Window Shopping

Fun courtesy of Polyvore

An Artist's Way?

Ever since I started back on medication for being bipolar, I have not felt creative but maybe it is just an excuse.

It certainly does help when you are posting everyday and constantly aware of that which makes you smile and might interest or amuse others.

Lately, I have been reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron which is a workbook on how to be unblocked creatively. In it she tells you to write everyday but privately which I have been doing pretty faithfully. Another activity is to have an artist's date every week on your own, one in which you go out and do whatever you want for about 2 hours.

Yesterday, my Husband and I went out for supper and afterwards decided to go and browse through a bookstore. I was drawn to the many magazines they have and I came upon Artful Blogging. It certainly is a beautiful magazine and as I read of one woman that had taken the Artist's Way workshop, I thought of how much fun I had while blogging.

Could I still have it in me?