Saturday, June 18, 2016

Comment on Success...

Vincent Van Gogh wrote his brother Theo in April 1890 that it's almost always the case that success is the worst thing that can happen in a painter's life.

That comment struck me as very true.  Would Van Gogh really have cared that his paintings have sold for millions after his death?  I wonder.

Personally, now that I am "old", I am not sure that the idea of success is what drives me to do art, unless it has to do with the Greek concept of arete, achieving one's best in whatever you do.  And to me trying to achieve that excellence is a very personal thing.

I resonate with what Van Gogh wrote, as after I had a little show some years ago I was inspired to paint something new, and I thought "This will sell" -- and I quickly realized it was terrible:  dead, with no inspiration or meaning to me.    I was so discouraged.  It took me some time to get back to being myself and doing what I wanted and needed to do.  I have struggled with this always, thinking to please others (such as contests) and getting back to making something I'd really like on my own wall.

Somehow I think this is what Vincent meant as well.

New Still Life 16 x 20" oil on panel

STILL LIFE WITH EDWARDIAN SHOES






COPYRIGHT: All paintings, pictures and essays in this blog are the property of Christine Zachary. Reproduction or retransmission of these materials in whole or in part, in any manner, without prior written consent, is a violation of copyright law.

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