Vincent (Starry Starry Night) - Don McLean

I watched "Lust for Life" today. Kirk Douglas' compelling portrayal of Vincent Van Gogh is so touching. The pain of Vincent's existence is something all artists can identify with at some level. The dark side of a creative life for so many artists is manic depression or bi-polar disorder. It seems that the gift of creativity is accompanied by the mood swings that fuel the creative spark. The swings can be overwhelming for some artists. The mania is a kind of 'high' that gives us the energy to work through the process of creation. When the project is completed, we stand back in emotional exhaustion. The 'low' can be debilitating. When accompanied by rejection and financial difficulties, the 'low' can lethal.

Artists have to be aware of their emotional state and understand the underlying reasons for their feelings. If artists ignore their emotions, they can feel hopeless and helpless. They can feel that there is no way off of the rollercoaster ride. This can result in very self destructive behavior leading to suicidal tendencies in extreme cases. I have buried too many artist friends who have taken their own lives because of this condition.

Don McLean's song shows me that he understood all too well what Vincent was going through. This was one of my favorite songs when I was young and Vincent Van Gogh has always been one of my favorite artists. His work spoke to me and helped me to understand that artistry can and does help a human being to make contact with their inner and higher nature. Artists have no choice but to create...that is our nature. Here's to you Vincent...this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you! RR