Oleanders (Vase with Oleanders and Books) by Vincent van Gogh, 1888
The book on top is La Joie de vivre by Émile Zola. A framed copy of this painting hangs in my kitchen. The original, a gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Loeb, is in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
Such beautiful art from a tortured life – but it so often happens in art and literature. Coincidentally, the subject of oleanders came up two days ago – I have a big Hereford bull, about 1000 lbs at least, who likes to graze on our property. The rancher asked if we had oleanders because they are extremely poisonous. Fortunately, we have lots of grasses, no oleander.
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I’ve always loved this piece; I guess that’s why I have a copy hanging in the kitchen.
You have a bull? Oh, that is awesome. I had no idea. I am in love with the very thought. You should write about/paint your bull. I will file the whole Oleanders are poisonous to bulls fact in the back of my head. I might need that trivia some day…
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Well, this bull belongs to the Flying Falcon ranch but since we are still on free range land, they come and go as they please. He happens to like our place and I am not going to argue with him as he is huge. I have painted cattle and longhorns (photos on my website) but not written about them yet. Oleanders are poisonous to all ruminants which includes humans who ruminate!
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I cannot imagine living in a place where bulls roam onto one’s property. Very cool.
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