Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Goghdbm305.smugmug.com/Art/Chicago-Institute-of-Art/MG1515-Edit/1034140457_jqJck-L.jpg -Vincent Van GoghVivid colors swirl around the canvas. Harsh shades of pigment leap out. Unique shapes dance freely around the painting. This can only be the work of none other than Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh, a Dutch painter of the late 1800s, devoted most of his life to one career: painting. Born in the small village of Zundert, he grew up in a sketchy environment, and later left his home to pursue his dream. Because he focused on traveling Europe and looking for his inspiration, he was extremely strong-willed. He eventually found his one and only true inspiration, painting, and expressed his emotions in every way on canvas. Throughout his life, Van Gogh used his acts of passion, perseverance, and willingness to improve to pour his emotions into his artwork.

Vincent Van GoghVan Gogh was a willing man who never gave up, and really wanted to find what was truly important to him. That was why he decided to travel around to find his passion: "In the beginning of 1888, fatigued by city life and yearning for unspoiled regions, Van Gogh left for Arles, in the south of France..." (Europe 1789-1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of Industry and Empire). Beginning his journey, he wasn't sure what his inspiration was. Determined to find it, he traveled around seeking for it. This was what he did for quite some time, until he discovered art. But before this, he also experimented with different jobs: "Van Gogh then took a post as an assistant teacher in England, but, disappointed by the lack of prospects, returned to Holland at the end of the year." (Vincent Van Gogh Biography - Renoir Fine Art Inc.). Since Van Gogh really wanted to find his inspiration, he toyed and experimented with new occupations. For quite some time, he used this trial and error method until he discovered his one true love: painting.

Van Gogh was a devoted man who spent a majority of his life painting. He felt so strongly about it, that he focused his life onto it: "In 1880, after much soul searching, Van Gogh decided to devote his life to art, a profession he accepted as a spiritual calling." (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography). He chose to do what he truly loved as his occupation. Finding something he loved, he knew he could follow through and commit to it one-hundred percent. Because of this, he flooded his emotions into his artwork: "Like many artists before him, van Gogh was keenly intent on uncovering the beauty of nature and the extent of his feelings. What sets him apart from the artists who preceded him and also links him to modern artists, was his ability to do away with "accuracy" of shape and color in order to graphically express his emotions. The colors he employed, while perhaps not "realistic," depicted the life of his subjects; his bold brush strokes gave motion to trees, stars, flowers, and the very air." ("Vincent Van Gogh." U*X*L Biographies). Van Gogh was capable of controlling his emotions and channeling it into his artwork. This was his way to express feelings to the world. He was a truly passionate man.

Vincent Van GoghAfter finding what was important to him, he wanted to become the best he could be. Through multiple means, he would always try to enhance his artistic skills: "Especially influenced by Camille Pissarro, Van Gogh was persuaded to give up the gloomy tones of his Dutch period for bright, high-keyed colors." (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography). Van Gogh was a man who was always willing to try something that interested him. This way, he could explore more ideas, and also improve. Another one of his ways of advancing his art skills was listening to others' advice: "...Van Gogh left the Borinage for Brussels, seeking advice there from painters and attempting to improve his drawings." ("Vincent van Gogh." DISCovering Biography). Seeking improvement, Van Gogh would listen to others' opinions, and tried to make his artwork better. He was always willing to change for the betterment of his skills. This was what he did throughout his life.

Van Gogh showed passion, perseverance, and persistence through multiple ways in his life. He would always push himself to keep going, and put his all into his artwork, no matter what obstacle life threw at him. I hope to be like him, and be able to find something I can live for, and be able to focus all my energy onto it. Like him, I also hope I can become persevering, and willing to change something for the betterment of anything. I believe that Van Gogh has the traits of a true hero. He may not have super strength or can fly, but he had the ability to really move me. He is a true inspiration, Vincent Van Gogh.