A 'starving artist' during his abbreviated life, selling just one painting before his life abruptly ended in his early thirties, Van Gogh's paintings would posthumously realize the highest price ever paid for a work of art.
How is that possible? I speculate because he painted with such passion and purity and fervor, not because he wanted to make money, but because he wanted to make art. It was in him to create. Whether his talent was recognized during his life or post-humously was of no matter to him because he simply could not NOT paint.
Painting was the one medium by which he was able to express himself to the fullest. Though he suffered greatly, Van Gogh used his art as a channel to reach inner peace, to quiet the whirling of his mind. It came from a genuine, authentic, place.
Below are a few photos of the homage to "Starry Starry Night" mural that my mom and I painted in the nursery that once belonged to each of my three children. Viewing these and thinking of the dawn of each of my children's lives fills my heart with longing and hope.
I hope that gazing on this wall as they lay in their cribs all bundled and safe helped them soak up in their bones the message to follow their dreams and lead a life full of passion and love. In doing so, they will find their Truth.
