Conversation with Vincent Van Gogh

James:
Vincent, where did you find your inspiration?

Van Gogh:
Between the thighs of a woman. If you dare to offer me up as your pretty little chat, you bite off my full self. Be warned. I did not live lightly. I lived a life of extreme pain - extreme highs too - but extreme loneliness and unfulfilled desire.

James:
How did you cope with the feeling of loneliness?

Van Gogh:
Yes good. There is no easy answer for life on earth is lonely. Nearly all the interactions are bubble and froth and spittle. Not the depth. Not the truth. When I presented my truth, it was rejected by others as too painful, so the short answer is - you feel it or you bury it. If you bury it, you never live - you never hit the highs but you don't hurt. So choose your poison - passion or emptiness. Both hurt.

James:
Can you suggest ways for people to develop their creativity?

Van Gogh:
Feel the hurt and stay in it - ride it out. Don't run off to an addiction. Own the energy of your emotions. Accept their gifts.

Then find ways to tell others. Ways that seep into people's emotions, beyond reason. Once you have a burning desire to share that, you will find your medium.

James:
Why did you cut your ear off?

Van Gogh:
I was in a manic-depresive upswing and I wanted to silence the voices of doubt and sorrow. I wanted to stay in the euphoria phase. In my delusion, I thought losing the ear meant losing the depression. So truth be told - madness.

James:
You say feel the pain but it sent you insane. What went wrong?

Van Gogh:
If you choose to live extremely, you open yourself to imbalance. I pursued artistic reward. I chose to suffer for my art. It was a false belief. Art can also come from joy. Oh well..live and learn.

James:
Why do you think your art is so loved even today?

Van Gogh:
My life, my suffering, my loneliness, all my fragile qualities are distilled into my canvas. I went to a place of madness common to all. I felt the separation of being human - of being unable to reach others. I tried to reach out to others thru my art. How ironic that they didn't offer me the solace. I needed to be saved. I needed a partner. By the time I realised my true need, I'd given all to my painting.

James:
Which is your favourite painting?

Van Gogh:
Cafe Terrace at Night is a painting done from joy. It's a view onto a path I may have gone. A tripper off into the stars but also one making friends in cafes and belonging to the world. In balance.
http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/image.asp?id=9549

James:
Thank you. Any final words?

Van Gogh:
Dream your life in rich vibrant colors. Then live it as you have seen. You are unlimited in potential on earth. Just remember the fires of passion and the balance of the mundane. And throw yourself at both with equal joy. Easier said than done ... for life is not easy. Adieu, my friends.