Blog 3100 – 04.25.2024

Starry, Starry Night (Vincent)

Love makes us sane or drives us quite mad. In the famous Love Chapter, First Corinthians Chapter Thirteen, we are told among other things that love is long suffering. I recall in an art class that I had in middle school hearing the old adage that to be a true artist one has to suffer. That reminds me of a line in one of my favorite songs, I Know How To Do It:

“Everybody needs practice in the art of love, twenty years years of practice and Lord above, I know how to do it.”

Today’s picture and the song called “Starry, Starry Night” are by and about famed artist Vincent Van Gogh of whom it is said that he cut off an ear and sent to a woman to show his love for her and that at thirty seven he shot and killed himself. We do not know for sure whether either of those things is true. We do know that Vincent was a prolific artist creating over 900 paintings, many of them in the last two years of his life fueled by cigarettes, coffee, bread and a passion for beauty.

The author in his tribute to Vincent in today’s song says, “You tried to set them free, they would not listen, they’re not listening still, perhaps they never will.” I changed that last bit to the more hopeful “perhaps someday they will.” In addition to being long suffering, love never gives up.

Your friend, fellow artist, and traveler,

David White

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J6W6kC4gHNSMXCToLV67Gy9eX98gtA-E/view?usp=drivesdk

Starry, Starry Night (Vincent)