Sunday, May 23, 2010

Tropical Islands and Running Away

I have a post up today at Casablanca Authors blog (just click on the title of this post to go there). Our topic has been new beginnings and I wrote about running away and starting fresh... like maybe on a tropical island somewhere.

Of course, I had to mention the quintessential runaway, the artist Paul Gauguin. Back in the 1880s Gauguin was a struggling artist who decided to literally get away from it all. So he abandoned his wife and five children and ran off to Tahiti where he painted lots of pictures of the natives.

Oh, and a few of himself too! Here's a self-portrait he did in 1893 when he was living in Tahiti.

While he might have been an artistic genius, I always viewed him as an irresponsible jerk for leaving his wife and kids. I guess he was living proof of that fine line between genius and madness, just like Vincent Van Gogh, who's paintings I find far more appealing.

What do you think about the genius and madness argument? And do you prefer Gauguin or Van Gogh?


4 comments:

Jane said...

I've always been fascinated with Tahiti and I wouldn't mind running away to live there, but not if I had a family and responsibilities. I love Van Gogh's works. My favorites are Starry Night and Irises.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hey Jane!

I've never been to Tahiti... YET! But nope, don't like the humidity on the tropical islands I have visited. :-P

I LURVE Van Gogh too! And my fave is also Starry Night! I remember the first time I saw it at the MOMA in NYC. OMG!!! I bet I stood in front of it for 15 mins. just drooling. I think the guard was about to ask me to leave when my DH came and hauled me away. LOL!

You MUST go to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam! They have his paintings hung in chronological order and it is amazing to see his transformation after he visits Paris for the first time.

AC

Helen said...

I would love to run away to an island sometimes especially after abad day at work but there is no way I could leave my family (not for long anyway)

I have always liked Van Gogh's paintings

Have Fun
Helen

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

I'm with you, Helen.

I can leave my family for a week or two but anything longer than that and I miss them too much!

And score another fan for Van Gogh!

AC