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Our Van Gogh

by first class of high school

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Our Van
Gogh
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By the first class of our high school
My Vincent
He loved nature.
He loved the sun.
He loved to paint outdoors,
the out-of-doors.
He was living in his own ivory tower
of
beautiful landscapes
and vivid coloured flowers
and high-flying birds
and hues and shades and love
all around.

Maybe it was his escape-
from what was happening inside his head.
That plague-
his mental illnesses-
were.
With every brush stroke,
with every detail added,
he tried to overcome and beat his troubles..
..one-painting-at-a-time.

Art was his escape,
his Shangri-la.
Introspective and shy as he was,
art was the only medium he had to express-
his inner thoughts,
feelings and ideas.
And oh, was he good at it!

They say life imitates art.
In Vincent’s case
though,
the bright paintings
didn’t quite suit the darkness
he had in his life,
did they?

Safiya
My Van Gogh
              Recently I had the pleasant opportunity of visiting a gallery celebrating Van Gogh’s legacy, by showcasing his greatest works of art. So naturally, I felt like I had to write about how I see him, not just as an artist, but as a personality.
           Bringing up Van Gogh in a discussion will definitely bring up, in my opinion, hateful comments about him like “he wasn’t an artist, he was a madman” or “he cut his ear, how can you take him seriously?”. The main problem of these is that they completely ignore the lack of mental health awareness in the 19th century.
The only solution was to visit an asylum/clinic, which he did, and hope for the best, while the doctors watch you steadily turn insane. To be honest, it is truly admirable that not only was he able to continue painting in the asylum, but he improved and continued improving until his death.
         As to the reason of his worldwide fame (of course after his death like any other great artist), I think it derives from his innate ability to convey his thoughts or concerns through his paintings. That’s why you can easily match one of his quotes to one of his art pieces. Painting was his personal therapist, a haven where he could express his insecurities, without people blindly criticizing him. One could even say that it is for the better that his worldwide fame was posthumous, as people would have had tremendously high expectations from his paintings and possibly putting too much pressure on him.
       Thankfully, many art enthusiasts are starting to appreciate him for what he was. I hope even more leave his problems aside and focus on his work, because at the end of the day, we all have our weaknesses.

                                                                                                       George
Comic Panel 1
My Vincent Van Gogh
  Vincent Van Gogh is considered by many to be one of the best painters of its time. He was born on March 30, 1853 in Zundert, Holland, and even though he had little success during his lifetime, his paintings are now sold into auctions for millions of dollars. Undoubtedly, he was a really talented painter and he managed to paint more than 100 paintings in just 10 years. However, what impressed me the most about him was the fact that even though he was a mental ill person, suffering from depression, he still continued to paint, capturing the world from his own point of view, while other people wouldn't even have the energy to get out of the bed . In my eyes, he is overall a very sensitive and strong person and I wish that more people will appreciate and realize how great his art is.

Katerina N.
Van Gogh & Dr Gachet:

G: - What are you doing Vincent?
V: - I am painting your portrait. Now stand still!
G: - Why would you paint me? I am just an old and wrinkly man, you should be painting other people,
younger and more beautiful.
V: - Well I want to paint you. Will you stand still please, I am almost finished.
G: - You are an odd man Vincent.
V: - And that’s why I am here with you.

Katerina F.
Imaginary dialogues between Van Gogh & Dr Gachet

Paul: Hey! Is there anything you want to talk about today?
Vincent: Hi...
Paul: What's going on? Why are you so skeptical?
Vincent: *sighs*
 Okay...here is the thing...so I was thinking about painting something new...
Paul: Umm...What about a Wheatfield? You haven't done that yet, have you?
 Vincent: I WAS NOT FINISHED!
Paul: Okay...I'm sorry...keep going...
Vincent: So...as I was saying...I was thinking about painting something new and this idea came up to my mind.
Paul: So, what is it?
Vincent: What if I draw you? You know... your portrait.
Paul: Yeah...that is not going to happen...
Vincent: Come on Paul! You might become famous one day! *laughs*
Paul: Oh yeah? In that case when are we starting?
*both burst into laughter*

Katerina N.
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