Cartoon © 2008 Jean Burman
Yesterday morning over coffee at the Queensland Art Gallery I was fortunate enough to have a few words with the late great Vincent Van Gogh. What a nice man he turned out to be! [grin] Here is the interview!
Me:
Hi Mr Van Gogh… you don’t know me at all… but I was wondering if I could take a moment of your time here today to talk about your art… and how it goes with you in general?
Vincent:
Yeah thanks Jean. I really do appreciate you taking the time to listen. So many people simply just don’t.
Me:
Well Mr Van Gogh… you might be interested to know that not much has changed over all the years.
Vincent:
Geez Jean… I’m really sorry to hear that. As you know… I almost gave up a number of times. If it wasn’t for Theo I think I would have given up way sooner than I eventually did. I mean… a man’s gotta eat… get around… and sleep warm and dry.
Me:
Yeah I know. Can really relate. Hey… I’ve been meaning to ask Vincent… what made you do it? I mean… cutting your ear off ‘n all and ending it all so tragically. That’s kind of left of centre you know!
Besides… don’t you know how famous you are now?
Vincent:
Famous? You’re kidding me right? Says who?
Me:
Says me. Says everyone! The Establishment loves you! People love you! Academia hails your work as epiphanous with the gleam of a thousand revolving stars in their eyes… and totally *way out of this world*. Heck… your Irises sold for a cool $101 million!
Vincent:
Holy smoke Jean! How did that happen? Back in the day… my only collector was Theo… and he made the difference between life and death for me. Put a roof over. Kept the wolf from the door… that sort of thing.
Me:
Well Mr Van Gogh… I’m sad to say… there’s still plenty of wolves out there today… [most of them in sheep's clothing - but I digress]… but let me assure you they wouldn’t be hanging by your door nowadays… [if you were still here I mean... and if you still had one that is!]
Vincent:
[*long wistful almost inaudible sigh*] Ahhh… how it’s all changed. If only I knew then what I know now.
Me:
Yep… everything looks easy in 20/20 hindsight eh?
Vincent:
Yep. Sure does.
Me:
You set a precedent way back then you know. Nowadays you’ve got to do something really spectacular to get noticed! [Like die] *wink*
The more things change the more they stay the same eh… [grin]
Artists are still struggling. Overworked… underpaid… undervalued… under loved… under appreciated. And all the other “unders” until the undertaker comes along and puts ‘em 6 foot under!
And that’s when things really spin out and get scarey.
Because when people realise that there’s no more coming from where those came from… [as a consequence of being... um... dead] then suddenly you’re IN. Flavour of the month in fact.
Vincent:
Yeah? [incredulous... Vincent shakes his head]
Me:
Yep… and it’s a hellava price to pay. And you know what I mean.
But hey… look at YOU!
All famous n’all.
What more could you want?
At least you made it EVENTUALLY! [grin]
That’s more than most artists can expect in the 21st century. There’s so many of us now. It’s not like the private club you guys had!
You know… all that sitting around sipping absynthe into the wee small hours. The gun fights and the camaraderie… the fisticuffs at dawn out in the street? You guys had it made!
Nowadays artists battle it out behind the front line on easels and keyboards across the nation. Across the whole wide world in fact. It’s a tough gig. But someone’s gotta do it. And it’s not like you’re around anymore to take up the slack!
Vincent:
Gee… I reckon. You guys have really got it tough. You look like you could use a hug.
Me: [blushing]
Yeah well… that would be nice if you’ve got one to spare.
Vincent:
Sure thing… get over here! (((hugs all round)))
Jean:
Well Vincent… I can call you Vincent right? It’s been really nice talking to you. And I’m so pleased you took the time to talk back. That’s so cool… and something that doesn’t happen all that often these days when people are so pushed for time.
So thanks a bunch for taking the time to talk to me here today.
It was lovely to meet you after all this time…
and to know that you’re still absolutely just fine!
We’re grateful you know for your time here on earth…
and all that you had to say
and we’re following faithfully each day in your steps…
keeping the art world at bay.
The Creative Dilemma – related Post from the Archive.
Leave a comment – [messages will be passed on to Mr Van Gogh as they come to hand]
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Cartoon Pen & Watercolour 8″ x 12″
