Reading the Van Gogh Mind

Sea at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Van Gogh sat staring at the choppy waters Nothing yet? His brother asked. He did not reply. He was in artist mode. Picked up a brush and began Splashing white capped waves Hostile swirling wind especially above fishing boat Angry storm began taking form So angry the sails were gone from the boat Van Gogh was in another world; he could hear no one Bright titanium white horse emerged at the water’s edge dark delivery wagon and loan figure made a solid contrast Van Gogh began using wider curvier strokes, blending one color after another in ombre fashion His ideas coming faster and faster now The sky began taking on new colors, new shades, new hues. He added a reflection of the boat in the water Five women waiting for their men on shore A field of wheat leaning toward the west, torn up by the wind. It was a furious painting, stormy and magnificent. He painted this in 1888, the eight such painting this year, and one of his favorites. But of course he was not satisfied with it. So he had to create another one.