I just finished reading a book about the last couple of months in Vincent Van Gogh's life. Many of the European artists and writers of those days drank or were addicted to absinthe. Absinthe is a spirit made by distilling many different herbs including wormwood. In the 1800's it was very strong and was said to be a psychotropic. Absinthe was also called "The Green Fairy". Hemingway said he was under the influence of absinthe when he wrote "For Who the Bell Tolls".
I think Van Gogh suffered from anxiety and depression and tended to self medicate. The doctor (Dr. Gachet) who was caring for him when he commit suicide was treating Van Gogh with various herbal "tinctures" that he brewed from his gardens. None of these seemed to help and may have actually increased his anxiety!
This painting is my impression of Vincent Van Gogh being seduced by "The Green Fairy". I used very heavy acrylics to give the look of oil paint. There is lots of texture and color on this painting and it looks wonderful in this old frame! I'm not sure if I want to part with it, but I will list it on Ebay tonight.
I am really curious about absinthe now! I know that it was banned in the US for many years, but has recently returned. I'm sure that it can't be as potent as it was years ago. Has anyone out there tried it? I am tempted to find a bottle just so I can taste it!
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9 comments:
Love the painting Cris!!
I have tried absinthe many a time it is quite disgusting lol
Even though the first time I had it I hated it, I still went and tried it again another time and another, hating it each time lol....it takes me a while to learn ;o)
Micki x
Awesome painting!!!!:O) Never tried that one,let me know how it works if you find it and try it:O)
OMG! Cris! That is so cool! It is REAL easy to become obsessed with Van Gogh. Remember last year how I started to think my cat looked just like him? Ha ha Love the painting and it looks so cool in that frame.
Wow Cris, I'm sure Van Gogh will be so proud of you! This is a great interpretation of his Starry Night, and I'm glad you managed to do this minus the absinthe... (^_^)
i love it when artists look into the lives of the old great artists and play with their style and remember them. this tells van gogh story well, i'm now intrigued - absinthe - must try and find a pot or two. what an interesting story.
Well you've combined two of my favorite things...your art and Van Gogh! I'm going to Etsy to see if this painting is there! I love the painting and your reason for painting it! Hugs, Theanne
I didn't see it on Etsy...if you haven't sold it yet I'd like to add it to my tiny art collection!
Nice! It's been a year; did you sell it? : )
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