From long nights out to tiny college bedrooms, it almost seems like Van Gogh had the mindset of a struggling college student at somewhere deep inside. Being one of my favorite artists of all time, I feel like I can connect to him in the strangest ways through some of his paintings.
They may not be the most obvious of connections, but sometimes, as a fellow artist, my imagination tends to wander.
1.
Although I've never lived in "The Bedroom" depicted not once, but three times, by Van Gogh, I feel a special connection to it. Maybe it's the fact that it's a tiny room with outdated furniture - just like my freshman year dorm. I can personally relate to having no space to live or breath and randomly hanging things all over my box of a room's walls. When will we realize that only makes the room look even smaller?
2.
The Starry NightWikipedia
"The Starry Night" is a stranger to no one's eyes. This painting is recognizable around the globe by everybody. However, when I was looking at it the other day, I recognized it for a different reason. It looks a lot like the scene my mind paints when I'm walking home from the bar after one-ish too many drinks. Nothing captures the true nature of the spins like this one.
3.
The Night CafeWikipedia
Speaking of long nights out, nothing says college more than a bar full of drunk people and a heated match of billiards. That's why Van Gogh's "The Night Cafe" really struck a chord with me after analyzing it three years into college. The moment in time depicted perfectly represents how the bar looks either right before last call or on a dead weekday night. If only our furniture at The Knights Pub was that fancy.
4.
Wheatfield with CrowsWikipedia
And here, in the "Wheatfield of Crows," we can see the thousands of dollars spent flocking to the field and flying away to never be seen again. We can chase it down the dark, winding path, but it's no use. The money has migrated elsewhere. Well, actually, the crows will return eventually, in the form of student debt. Actually, they will return in the form of ruthless vultures for practically the rest of our lives.
If you haven't checked out some of Van Gogh's paintings, I suggest visiting the website that details 300 of his paintings. All jokes aside, Van Gogh lived an interesting life adorned with mental health issues and struggles we face every day. There is a lot we can learn from our favorite artists.
