I decided to create a portrait dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh after visiting his museum in Amsterdam and being extremely moved by the experience. It wasn’t just that his art was mind-blowing in person, but also the surprising emotional impact it had on me. Reliving Vincent’s art journey alongside stories of his personal battle with mental health was profound, and completely changed how I saw his art. I wanted to created a response to Vincent, using my experience in Amsterdam to create something new. My drawing of Vincent frames him with his favourite flower - the flower considered crude by his peers - but the one Vincent returned to again and again. Vincent himself said “I find comfort in contemplating the sunflowers”. In my drawing, the flowers and the sunflower man are in the frame together, as one piece of art. They can’t be contained though, the flowers burst from the frame, breaking the mould, just like Vincent did. Signed and dated giclée prints are available to buy (10 x 12") £35, and Postcards for £1.
