The Starry Night

Today Vincent Van Gogh's paintings sell for millions of dollars. But when he was alive, he was a starving artist who only sold one painting. After his death however, his brother, an art dealer organized exhibitions and finally sold his work! Sad but true (which is why we need to encourage local artists!)
Most of the literature on Vincent Van Gogh also suggests that he was suffering from mental illness and is believed to have painted 'The Starry Night' while at a mental hospital.

There is always a very thin line between genius and insanity! :(  There was a lot of 'turbulence' in Vincent Van Gogh's life. It is said that Van Gogh painted some of his famous works looking at them through water and has captured natural water turbulence down to mathematical precision! Now that is a true genius! :)

Watch this TED-Ed video in order to truly appreciate this painting and to understand the scientific connect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMerSm2ToFY

(image of "The Starry Night" taken from the internet)

Why create art?

Why create art? What is the point?

Well, most artists will answer that art makes them happy. They are happy when they make it. They are happy when they look at it. But art is more than fun and decoration.
For me, art is a way to express yourself -- just like other forms of expression like dancing, creating music, composing poems and songs or story-writing. You can tell a story or record what someone looks like with art. You can share your feelings or communicate ideas or opinions.

The quote that really appeals to me as an artist is by the famous sculptor Carl Andre:

"A man climbs a mountain because it is there. 

A man makes a work of art because it is not there".

Think about it! :)