There are some artists who paint while bandaged ( ie. Vincent van Gogh.) Teresa Herzog’s bandaged right hand is not the result of a self-inflicted wound – her doctor advised her to have an operation so that she could continue to produce beautiful paintings. She wastes no time getting back to the development of her talent.

Teresa is experimenting with a monochromatic version ( all shades and tints between black and white) of a stream in Palenville during one of my outdoor classes. We received permission from the Higgins family to set up our easels on their property and attempt to capture the essence of a late summer vision.

I am reminded of Vincent van Gogh  whenever we go outside the studio to paint. Vincent plied his craft even in windstorms; although, we are more mindful of the weather. The idea of tying my easel with canvas to a tree is not appealing to me. The point of the matter is that we must get out there (as long as it is not raining) as much as possible.

Lynn Woods wrote in a recent Saugerties Times issue about hearing one complaint concerning the Saugerties Art Tour…most of the artists were over sixty years old. Some would welcome  younger, more edgy artists to show their work. I would say that we older artists are still here because of our determination to stay with it- even when it is most difficult. Most of the artists have spouses or partners that help support their efforts, too.

I think of Vincent and how he longed to have an art colony at the “Yellow House” in Arles, France and how loneliness played a part in his emotional distress. To study, we have thousands of letters that were exchanged between him and his brother, Theo, who supported him financially. Theo believed in Vincent’s talent and suggested that Vincent become an artist when he lost his first job working for art dealers at age 16. As part of moral support, Theo made a business arrangement with Vincent. As payment for the loans, Theo would receive the best paintings that Vincent produced. As a result, his small apartment in Paris was filled with Vincent’s 200 paintings. During his lifetime, only one painting “Red Vineyard” was sold for 400 franks to a woman artist in France.

The letters written by Vincent show great intelligence and spirituality. It is said in an art film about the painter that he started to lose his faith when he returned to live with his father, a minister, and his family after holding jobs as an art dealer, school teacher, bookshop assistant, theology student and lay preacher to the poor. How does one measure another person’s spirituality? I suspect that only God can do that!

There have certainly been times in my life – looking in from the outside- that someone might think that I lost my faith – but I didn’t. Just my actions were out of line with my beliefs. My spirit was and is firmly held by my Loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Vincent’s sermons were criticized because he wrote them and read them from the pulpit. Some people require time to practice public speaking and Vincent’s authorities in the church decided not to give him that time when they found that he took his charity work to the greatest extent – he gave away most of his possessions to people who needed them.

His artwork became his spiritual language and his letters. To his brother he wrote: “What I want and aim at is confoundedly difficult, and yet, I do not think I aim too high. I want to do drawings which touch some people.” (1882)

Isn’t that what we all want to do? We want to connect with others with our work and teaching. We are all teachers and learners at the same time.

Thank you, Teresa, for what I have learned from you, your life and your work!