Artfully Done – A Painting for Jaz

A Doctor Who Painting by Sabrina Bennett (2016).

I love the visual arts, especially paintings. While I’m not versed enough to recognize, or even categorize, artworks, I know when I see something I like. Recently, I found something that I simply love! I was given a wonderful gift from my dear friend, Sabrina Bennett…one of her recent paintings. And believe me; I was ecstatic the moment I set my eyes upon it!  

Sabrina knows that I’m one of the world’s biggest Doctor Who fans; a Whovian of the highest order, in fact. Her painting depicts the Tardis whisking through the London night sky above the Thames River and past Big Ben and the London Eye. Oh, it is a lovely, inspiring sight to behold. I can’t stop staring at it.

The colors Sabrina used are vibrant and evoke a wonderful Vincent van Gogh mood with both flair and beauty. I’m a huge Van Gogh fan. The Dutch master (1853-1890) is arguably one of the most beloved and revered painters in history. He is my favorite painter, in fact. I love his style, as well as the emotions that penetrate through the use of his imaginative, vivid colors. Many of his masterful paintings make me feel happy inside, or at the least, mesmerized by their depictions. However, that’s juxtaposed with the chronic dark bouts of mental illness that he suffered during much of his lifetime. He ultimately committed suicide at age 37.

"Vincent and the Doctor" Episode (Doctor Who, 2010)

Viewing Sabrina’s painting catapults me to one of my all-time favorite Doctor Who episodes from the Matt Smith (11th Doctor) era: “Vincent and the Doctor” (2010). The story is compelling but the performance of actor Tony Curran as Vincent van Gogh is astounding. Coupled with the emotions depicted by actress Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Matt Smith’s Doctor, the episode never fears to draw tears in my eyes by the end of the episode. Even hearing Murray Gold’s instrumental track With Love, Vincent (track #5 of the Doctor Who Series 5 soundtrack, circa 2011) transports me back to the episode and the deep emotions conveyed therein. That episode remains one of my all-time favorite Doctor Who episodes.

Incidentally, I’ve done some research on the proper pronunciation of van Gogh’s last name and it really does sound like someone has a phlegmy-filled throat or something. Most people say it like either “van Goff” or “van Go” but it’s really much more guttural (somewhat Klingon-ish, actually). Of course, if I pronounced it authentically, virtually no layperson would understand whom I was referring to. I rather prefer the “van Goff” version, myself.

Sabrina's Doctor Who painting hangs prominently on Jaz's retreat/den wall.

Ultimately, I go full-circle back to saying, “THANK YOU, SABRINA! You’ve made me so very happy!” Her painting hangs prominently on the wall in my retreat/den where I frequently gaze up at it. Geronimo, Sabrina.

In other news, it’s Mother’s Day! Here’s a BIG shout-out to all the wonderful mothers in the world! Have you called the special mother figures in your life? Hey, if you can’t mail a greeting card, you can easily pick up the phone and auto-dial (who remembers phone numbers these days??)…or at the very least post something on their Facebook wall. And for those  of you who’ve unfortunately lost the mothers in their lives, pause for a moment in fond remembrance of the positive impact they’ve had in your life. Those impacts can live on in your future actions, you know.

Oh, and BTW for any lazy people out there, that Facebook wall post idea should be your effort of LAST resort, friend. Just sayin’…

Until later, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.