Falling in Love With Unknown
Upon watching the video on mark-making in impressionism style from the Mastery program, I was struck in the gut by something powerful. I was convinced this was it, and I could end my journey with the program immediately, because I couldn't see myself having another style than the one I just discovered. The intensity grew as I delved into creating my own painting in that unique style.
The bold, rainbow brush strokes brought an inexplicable inner home comfort, keeping me up at night and eagerly awaiting the morning to continue working on the piece. As I tend to do, I began to deeply contemplate my emotions.
Why was impressionism style able to touch me so deeply? It wasn't just about the style, it was about Vincent van Gogh specifically, that I couldn't stop researching in the last two weeks.
What connection did this artist's work have to my heart? And why was this artist, known for his emotional instability, able to affect me, another artist from a different era with a distinct life story? It wasn't until later that I realized it had everything to do with me and nothing to do with the style.
We Connect to Life Stories
After delving deeper into Van Gogh's life through extensive research, I began to see art history as a family tree. It became clear to me that Van Gogh did not create his style from scratch, but rather drew inspiration from his predecessors and contemporaries. Among those who influenced his work were Cezanne, Gogin, Seurat, Millet and Delacroix, whose styles he combined, creating his own unique style.
This realization prompted me to search for the influences of Van Gogh's influences, leading me to the insight that no artist in history truly forged their style from scratch. Rather, they all borrowed elements from the styles of other artists who inspired them.
The concept of recycling in art history struck me as similar to the way humans create new life. Just as a child is a combination of two people and their ancestors, so too is an artist's style born from the fusion of their influences.
Visiting a Tomb of a Post-Impressionists Era in Contemporary Times
While visiting my aunt in Paris at the end of 2023 year and staying at her place for a week, suddenly exactly on the second day of the new year, I felt the urge to visit Auvers-sur-Oise, the place where Van Gogh spent his last months of life. We sprang into the car and drove towards the small town, 30 km from Paris.
As I strolled along the quaint roads of the town, I couldn't escape the presence of his art everywhere around. Everywhere I turned, his essence was palpable. This place is a living tribute to the renowned artist who shaped the course of art history.
My time in Auvers-sur-Oise was spent immersed in his world, feeling a sense of closeness that I had never experienced before. A mysterious bond seemed to tie me to him, but its true significance didn't reveal itself until we followed the guidance and reached his resting place.
Those who have visited the place know that Van Gogh's tomb is the ultimate destination of the exhibition in Auvers-sur-Oise. As I stood there, contemplating the lives of the artist and his brother, who rests beside him, the answer dawned on me. Van Gogh is not just a story of art, but a tale of brotherhood. This is why I feel such a strong connection to him.
His life was intertwined with his brother's, much like mine is with my brother. Without his constant support, Van Gogh's name might very well remain anonymous. Similarly, I owe many of my achievements to the unwavering presence of my brother in my life. Through his story, I am deeply connected to this remarkable artist.
This is what art can do to us. Connect us to artists, people, and stories in a mysterious way. Can we still deny the power of art?