Dear Theo notes

Part of studying with Dave means that I have homework. First reading assignment is DEAR THEO by Vincent VanGogh. I picked up my copy today from the Fairfield Borders. I'll be keeping some notes here.

30 pages in and already Van Gogh is showing through. He sees differently than his contemporaries, even though he's still in the phase of yearning solely to become a clergyman. He doodles and dismisses what he draws as being secondary to the pursuit of the spirit. Yet he's already beginning to find those things which on the surface seem to be conforming to the spirit of his times, yet underneath are truly his own. He thinks, and he thinks deeply. He dismisses some art forms which are apparently well thought of by his Uncle as being devoid of soul.

Makes me think. As much as I like to poke fun of the heady self-importance of trying to decide what makes Art, as opposed to Illustration, or even 'just' Paint on a Canvas, it becomes immediately apparent that the question is a valid one. I'll have to keep that in mind, though I don't know that I necessarily need to have the idea solid before producing art myself. Odd consideration. Maybe it's better phrased as "what makes Art -good-?" Not necessarily pretty, but what elevates certain kinds of art while other artists become recognized for technical brilliance but never attain any kind of vaunted status? Not that status is the proper desire for any artist, but it's still a question which immediately jumps to mind. What's the difference between a Vermeer, for example, and an Ary Sheffer, for example? Who's Ary Sheffer? Exactly.

Reading on.

One thing is for certain, though... Van Gogh was extremely intelligent, and extremely attentive to his surroundings, even from the beginning of his letters in his early 20's.