Impression Evergreen

"Wheat Field with Cypresses after van Gogh" Colored Pencil It's a warm, sunny day in southern France. Boiling clouds drift across the turquoise sky and the indigo cypresses are windswept by the notorious mistral. The golden wheat field is ripe and ready for harvest. The picture is a magnificent expression of summer. It draws you in. I can almost feel the wind and the heat. In my head, I can hear the buzz of locusts announcing the change of seasons. This is one of my favorite paintings and I wanted to understand why. I decided to make a study after it but not an oil painting copy. I chose a different medium instead, colored pencil. "The study I have intended for you depicts a group of cypresses in the corner of a wheat field on a summer's day when the mistral is blowing. It is therefore the note of a certain blackness enveloped in blue moving in great circulating currents of air, and the vermilion of the poppies contrasts with the black note." ~ Vincen...

Self-Portrait with Straw Hat, 1887 My favorite artist is Vincent van Gogh. I've spent countless hours studying his art and life. I've read all the books and watched the movies but I've never seen one of his paintings in person. When I found out the Denver Art Museum was going to show more than 70 of his works, I couldn't believe it. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see so many pieces together at one place. Not even a late fall snowstorm could stop us from driving down the hill to experience the fantastic exhibit entitled  Becoming van Gogh . I've been very influenced by Vincent van Gogh but not because I emulate his painting style, my temperament wouldn't allow it. It's because I wholeheartedly agree with his philosophy on art, nature, science and religion. The display is interesting as it traces van Gogh's development from beginner to master, plain and simple. All of the drama has been eliminated. There is no mention of "the ea...