Friday, February 25, 2011

"If You Hear A Voice Within You Say...

...'you cannot paint', then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

"Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well."

"One must work and dare if one really wants to live."


"The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others."


"There is no blue and yellow without orange."


"But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things."


"Even the knowledge of my own fallibility cannot keep me from making mistakes. Only when I fall do I get up again."

 
"Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model."

"Happiness... it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort."

 
"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream."



Can you guess who my favorite artist of all time is?  From the Netherlands (Holland), he spent time as a preacher, then later became an artist, and, despite his current world renowned status as one of the 'greats', only lived to see one (just ONE!) of his paintings sold.  I think this man had terrific insight into things with a spiritual nature, and a deep appreciation of the beauty in this world. I have often heard him written off, and labeled as "insane". He said, "I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process."  The truly insane do not know they are crazy.  They are sure they are right, that the problem isn't them, it's the rest of the world. To be able to admit one has lost one's mind, to me, shows a firm stance in reality.


You can read more about Vincent Van Gogh HERE.

We finished painting the dining room.  We chose "Churchill Hotel Lace Ivory" from Lowe's Valspar colors.  It's a bit lighter than the kitchen/great room, and it makes the room feel brighter and more inviting than the old red (which was way too dark for the space). The color contrasts with the black table and antique dresser, making them 'pop'.   I still need to hang a couple more pictures, and find a new centerpiece for the table, but I'm very happy with the paint job.  It feels so fresh and warm.


I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes when a long-planned project is complete.  As Van Gogh would say,

" I dream of painting, and then I paint my dream."



5 comments:

Heidi said...

So pretty! Way to Gogh! ;) Oh that was so painfully funny. :P

mintifresh said...

It looks like a beautiful room! Nicely done!

Megan said...

Beautiful. Love your art choices and your antique. And your floors. Classic.

Emmy said...

LOVE your dinning room. I really like your table.

Dana Fallentine said...

Lovely!