Starry Night

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” -Vincent van Gogh.

As an academic, I love studying Van Gogh because he gave us quite a gift – not just 800+ paintings, but hundred and hundreds of letters.  Shout out to his sister-in-law, Jo, who had the foresight to collect, preserve and publish those letters after his death.

To an art historian, the words of the artist being studied or researched are like gold.  But, for all the academia, nothing quite compares with putting those words into action and making the attempt at artistic replication.

I learned so much trying to paint “Starry Night” and I am so grateful to Vincent for the opportunity and for the creative adventure.

Vincent: “Starry Night,” Saint-Remy, June1889; currently at MoMA

Study: “Starry Night (After Van Gogh),” acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″

Leave a comment