Tag Archives: Vincent van Gogh

My Year in Books (Sort Of), Part One

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Another year is (almost) over. Before we flip the calendar to 2016, and start new reading lists, let’s look back at the reading year that was. I’ll share if you reciprocate in the comments!

  • How many books did you read this year? 50+. My numbers were held down by many heavy, lengthy books.
  • Which genre prevailed? Nonfiction, by miles and miles.
  • Which book was your fave? A Writer’s Diary by Virginia Woolf.
  • Least fave? If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland. My loathing for this book knows no bounds.
  • Recommend three books from your list. The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore; Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys by Viv Albertine; Van Gogh: The Life by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith.

PART TWO WILL APPEAR IN THE NEW YEAR!

The Splendiferously Bearded Writers Social Club: Vincent van Gogh*

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  • Name: Vincent van Gogh
  • D/O/B: 3/30/1853
  • Member Since: 1886
  • Status: Active Member
  • Important Role: Giving art lessons to fellow members
  • Hobbies: Going on long walks through the countryside; living intensely; being misunderstood; transforming the art world
Van Gogh Painting Sunflowers by Paul Gauguin, 1888

Van Gogh Painting Sunflowers by Paul Gauguin, 1888. His beard is splendiferous by virtue of its vibrant hue.

*Vincent van Gogh was an exceptionally talented letter writer, at a time when correspondence was an art form. His letters are vivid, intelligent, and beautiful word paintings.

Darwin on Poetry

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“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.”-Charles Darwin

The Drawbridge by Vincent van Gogh, 1888

The Drawbridge by Vincent van Gogh, 1888. I’d add “look at beautiful things as often as possible” to the list.

30 March 1853: Vincent van Gogh

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Vincent van Gogh was born on 30 March 1853.

A portrait of the artist:

Portrait of Vincent van Gogh by John Peter Russell, 1886

Portrait of Vincent van Gogh by John Peter Russell, 1886. It is no wonder Kirk Douglas played the painter in the 1956 film adaptation of Irving Stone’s novel,  Lust for Life.