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Aida Brunell's avatar

This personal expansive tribute explains a lot about the painter and your life long admiration I find justified in his varied and gorgeous paintings.

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RIcardo Munsel's avatar

Beautifully written again. I love your mind's wandering and connecting history to personal life and experience. And I enjoy your love for the arts. Excellent.

Thank you again

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Evelyne Luethy's avatar

Wonderful tribute. Thank you for sharing your very personal journey through van Gogh's life.

I remember going to an immersive van Gogh art exhibit in Zurich in February 2020. Wheatfield with Crows was animated to music in a way that there was a gunshot that made all the crows fly away suddenly. I can't tell you what a profound impact this moment had on me back then. Life changing.

We can't go back to thank Vincent but we can appreciate people's work and creativity every day. There's so much of it around us.

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Dawna Stromsoe's avatar

Evelyn, I experienced the Van Gogh immersive in Los Angeles and vividly recall the moment when the gun caused the crows to scatter in the winds. It was a profound moment. I loved being enveloped in Vincent’s world. The Immersive was an extraordinary awesome experience. The first time I was enthralled as I experienced. The second time i told a series of profound images. I Afterwards, I connected with the music composer/director on Twitter (those were the days!) IMO, Van Gogh is about FEELING not Thinking. As is Beethoven.

Alex, thanks for sharing your feelings and love of this simple complex beautiful soul.

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Evelyne Luethy's avatar

I went a second time as well (they extended the exhibition because of the lockdown). I just sat down in the middle of the room and let myself be completely enveloped.

I've been to a few others (Klimt, Frieda Kahlo, Monet's Gardens) - all great, but Van Gogh was my favorite.

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Dawna Stromsoe's avatar

I meant I β€œtook” photos during the second time! I’ve been to the Kahlo and Klimt but both paled compared to the VanGogh. There was a piece of very poignant music during another moment. I can’t recall it right now. I love when music, visual images take one on a wondrous journey.

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Judith L Hubbard's avatar

Your life long study, admiration and connection to Van Gogh is clearly stated. This is a very personal story of rising to great heights in creativity in your own life, perhaps without the element of extreme adversity. You continue to follow a very goal driven path with what seems like a pattern evolved over years of practice, a routine that works for you to get the most satisfaction and achievement that you possibly can very effectively. You likewise connect to your followers closely and give a vision of hope and reason to the times in which we are living, a half million or so? You never fail to speak the truth as you see it without fear of criticism or harm; that is so very admirable and courageous. A life so well lived and with more than thirty years to expand your wisdom while sharing your journey. May it continue to bring you satisfaction and joy! πŸ˜ŠπŸŒπŸ•ŠοΈ

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Douglas Coull's avatar

Terrific article Alexander. Thank you for this tribute to one of my personal favorites.

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thanks Douglas!

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Mischa Geracoulis's avatar

What a wonderful homage to Vincent Van Gogh! 🌻

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Judith L Hubbard's avatar

And of the course the β€œback page” with the tribute by Don McLean is perfection!

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Marian NoΓ«'s avatar

Bravo Alexander,

I love this read πŸ’œπŸ’šπŸ’™πŸ’›!!

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NMRuff's avatar

My first visit to the Van Gogh wasn't until the early 1980s; I can't count how many times I've been since. I loved it then (the original structure) and I love the new space. I hope to squeeze in another visit when I go up in a couple weeks for the Vermeer exhibition.

Thank you for sharing. πŸ™

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