September 26, 2007

"Eat well, be well housed, have a screw from time to time, smoke your pipe and drink your coffee in peace."

How to do good work, by Vincent Van Gogh.

10 comments:

Bob said...

I think that many humans would be happy with that state of affairs.

Trooper York said...

Wow, who knew that Vincent Van Gogh and Whitney Houston lived by the same rules...."Bobeeee where the pipe at"

Maxine Weiss said...

Althouse, a woman who bows down and worships all art (even bad art!).... should be able to separate and distinguish...an artist's uncouth conduct in his personal life....from his superior work-product.

David Walser said...

Just how wise is it to accept advice from Van Gogh on how to live life well? He did outstanding work and artists can learn a lot of good things by examining his technique, but not much good would come from mimicking his lifestyle.

Sigivald said...

None of that advice really reflects his "lifestyle" as such, though.

General comfort, some relxation, and simple pleasures do seem like a decent recipe for producing good works.

One need not (indeed, probably should not, if one has a choice) be "tortured" (as in "a ... artist") in order to produce good works of art or craft.

(Hell, what's even "uncouth" about the quote, other than mentioning having sex now and then in a vaguely coarse manner? If that's it, that's nothing.)

blake said...

P.S. Stay away from the lead-based paints. I can't stress that enough.

Groetjes, VvG

LTC John said...

Sounds good to me... But Vincent, may I call you that? Vincent, you left the part about a close shave out!

M. Simon said...

have a screw from time to time

From 6 to 8 would be good.

The Monster said...

"have a screw from time to time"

Just a matter of time before someone says "Can't you leave Bill Clinton alone!"

submandave said...

Sigivald, I'm amazed you failed to imediately spot the element so lacking in "couth":

"smoke your pipe"

It's the evil tobacco to which the dear maxine obviously refers.