Should you see Beyond Van Gogh?

Looking at Art:

In an earlier post, I expressed my doubts about attending “Beyond Van Gogh” on view in Sarasota until April 24, 2022. My concern was that the event would be an exploitive, commercial money-making endeavor that would not do justice to the artist or his work. I’m very happy to say that after attending, I know I was wrong in my thinking. Visitors are greeted with projected quotations from Van Gogh’s letters which give you insight into his thoughts about art and his own art-making. There are also huge digitized images of the work melting into designs on the floor in the first room. As you proceed into the main area, which is the size of a football field with high ceilings, Van Gogh’s art is all around you on the walls and the floor and in film-like fashion you see his portfolio of paintings transforming from one series of works to another. All of the famous paintings are here so large that they dwarf you and draw you in. The experience of sound, colors and textures is really indescribable. I suggest you check it out for yourself. If you miss this one, I understand there are similar events going on around the country.

Work in the Studio:

The war in Ukraine is presented to us in newscasts, photography and grewsome videos every day. It should be no surprise that it has entered my studio, since the struggle is on my mind as a result of the onslaught of images and news. This latest watercolor is the most recent result of my response to the war.

Ghosts of War, Watercolor, 12” x 9”