While trying to distract myself from yet another failed painting, I picked up a book on Vincent van Gogh. For the first time, it wasn’t the paintings that grabbed me; it was the drawings. "Carpenter's Yard and Laundry" (1882) Copyright Kröller-Müller Museum. Comparing the wild and expressive brushstrokes that exemplify the Van Gogh style to his accomplished drawing skills opened my eyes to another realm to explore: his drawings. I disappeared down a rabbit hole and discovered

Most people walk into a museum, find Van Gogh, take a photo, and move on. I used to do exactly that. It turns out I was missing almost everything! Where to find Van Gogh Works & Exhibitions. If you are wondering where to find Van Gogh's works in the U.S., start here: Tip 1: Bookmark The Vincent van Gogh Gallery (www.vggallery.com), specifically the World Map page. I missed an opportunity to see the Detroit Institute of Arts exhibit, "Van Gogh in America," because I le

In Spring 2020, I was excited to open a package containing my first Van Gogh photo book. I couldn't wait to dive in, to have my own desk reference for all of his paintings. As I thumbed through the months and years of his short 10-year career, I was jolted by how dramatic the shift was from the drab earth tones of his early days to the vibrant colors of his last few years. My mind immediately tried to parse the reason for the change. What brought about this relatively sudd

As I dive deeper into the life and works of Vincent van Gogh, one question continues to hound me: with more than 900 letters and personal accounts of Vincent's life, why are we no closer to an actual diagnosis? Perhaps we're not asking the right questions. Even a five-minute scan of the internet will reveal a list of more than 150 possible diagnoses that sound more like a pharmaceutical disclaimer: manic-depressive, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, toxin exposure, and so on

While watching one of many documentaries on YouTube about Vincent van Gogh, I heard art critic Waldemar Januszczak describe Van Gogh as an ‘instinctive copyist’, a phrase that initially caught me off guard. "Did he just accuse him of plagiarism? Was Van Gogh's style a ripoff?” I quickly paused the video and realized that one of my first Van Gogh favorites is "The Siesta (after Millet)." And there it is, right in the name - "after Millet." This was reinforced after a trip to t

I’ve seen 266 Van Gogh paintings —let me help you see art in a whole new way. In many ways, I’m a late bloomer in life. In college, I once approached a fellow student on campus to ask what course he was taking that required such an enormous book. “It’s History of Art,” he said, as he lugged the five-pound text to class. I recall wanting no part of that course. Today, I gasp when I think of what I’ve missed. After seeing 266 Van Gogh paintings (and counting), I’ve come to und