November 19, 2009
Starry, scary night
I'm researching the life of Vincent Van Gogh at present, and I was both laughing today, and rather sad, as he refers to his 'Starry night' painting, as 'another failure.'
We really have no idea when we are succeeding and when we are failing, as Vincent wonderfully shows. The painting was a failure for him, as it didn't achieve what he wanted; and in his life time, no one was queueing to buy it. But it did prove a success in the world after he died, worth ridiculous millions.
Vincent had no sense of that, however; no sense at all. He didn't put down his brush in the Yellow House, turn to his friend Gaughin, and declare 'Aha! A classic!'
And the thing is, when I've got past being scared by that ignorance, I find it strangely liberating.
Who knows what I'm presently doing? Not me. I draw from my well, which is all I have, lugging th bucket to the surface. And if they wish, others can tell me how the water tastes. I have no taste for it myself.
Success? Failure? Well, we all want one and not the other. Though I'm not sure that in this climate, those words mean anything any more.
Posted by Mr Bojangles at November 19, 2009 04:56 PM