I have a great appreciation and fondness for artist Vincent van Gogh. When I’ve seen the question that asks, If you could spend time with a historical person, who would you choose? Vincent tops my list. This misunderstood artistic genius created an amazing body of work in a little more than ten years, with most of his art completed in the last two years of his life.
Vincent’s work includes 2,100 pieces of art, 860 of those oil paintings. His style of painting was bold, colorful, and expressive, and became the foundation of modern art. And yet…in his short lifetime his genius went unrecognized, and he did not receive fame or financial gain while he lived. He was considered, by many, to be a madman. Vincent described himself as one in which “madness and creativity converged”.
I not only love Vincent’s art, I love the way he viewed the world and life. Films such as the incredible animated film, Loving Vincent, and even the Doctor Who episode, Vincent and the Doctor, pierce my heart with their beauty and poignancy. I am drawn to Vincent’s words as well and tonight’s blog post is inspired by this artist.
Vincent believed in creating and living his dream. If any artist had to learn to overcome self doubt, it was this man. Although his brother Theo supported him and encouraged him, no one else believed in Vincent or appreciated his unique views of reality that he transformed into art. Vincent struggled with depression and poor health, however, he knew what he wanted to accomplish, artistically, and lack of recognition and support didn’t stop him from creating. I’ve thought about his words from the quote above and the deep truth contained within them. We must believe in our abilities to do the things we dream about doing, and silence the voices of doubt, from without and especially from within.
Vincent…this is for you.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint’, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot sing’, then by all means sing and that voice will be silenced.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot write’ then by all means write and that voice will be silenced.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot act’ then by all means act and that voice will be silenced.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot cook’ then by all means cook and that voice will be silenced.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot create’ then by all means create and that voice will be silence.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot dance’ then by all means dance and that voice will be silenced.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot travel’ then by all means travel and that voice will be silenced.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot do THAT’ then by all means do THAT and that voice will be silenced.
It is up to me, and up to you, to silence the voice that says ‘you cannot’. Others may cheer me on, and I am grateful for them, but ultimately I am the one who silences doubt by taking action, by doing the very thing that fear soaked doubt hisses is impossible or not for me.
Vincent had excellent words also about the process of moving from doubt to living in dreams that are coming true. He said, “Great things are done by a series of small things that are brought together.” Nowadays we call that baby steps…doing what we can…action steps. So far ahead of his time, was he, and so able to see in a bigger, magical way.
I’d love to give Vincent a hug and then sit quietly out of the way and watch him create. Instead, I’ll say “thank you, Vincent”, and slay doubt with my actions.
