Motivation Monday - Van Gogh Is Pretty Motivational

WHY Do I Think Van Gogh 

is Motivational?

 He painted for less than 15 years.

He was in and out of mental hospitals

He only sold one painting

He had a hard time with relationships

He cut off his ear

He shot himself and died two days later at the age of 37.

Wow!

Doesn't sound motivational to me.

 And yet my friend, Nancy and I drove to the 

Cincinnati Art Museum

to view the VanGogh exhibit.

We did learn all the above at the exhibit,

but we also saw his work,

and the work of many of his contemporaries.

In viewing the work,

you saw a man who had true vision.

At a time when it was not acceptable to paint outside the lines,

Van Gogh created new lines.

He painted in a completely different way.

He used color in a completely different way.

And yet, he was full of self doubts,

(just like us mere mortals)

He loved other artists work

(just like us)

He wanted to be accepted and have friends

(just like us)

He wanted people to see and like his work

(just like us)

He painted for the joy of painting

(hopefully, just like us)

A Van Gogh original is totally out of reach for most of us,

yet he was not "successful" during his lifetime.

Up those stairs to the Van Gogh exhibit.

(OK, so I took the elevator)

Just outside the exhibit.

They don't make buildings like this anymore.

This was me leaving the exhibit -

completely refreshed,

inspired,

and yes, motivated.

Motivated to keep painting,

keep experimenting,

keep playing in the paint.

The exhibit runs through January 8,

and is a mere $10,

($5 if you're an AARP member).

There are many artists out there to study,

to appreciate their work, and I had a great time doing that.

I took a notepad with me, and jotted down artists names I wasn't familiar with, to look up and research.

The architecture of the building itself was inspiring.

If you can't get to this museum,

go to some museum somewhere,

and look and appreciate art,

even art you might not be crazy about.

There was some art I didn't understand or like,

but there were many more pieces I loved

and could have stayed in front of just looking,

for much longer.

I know I'll be going back.