Past Imperfect: A Vain van Gogh Comparison

 April 7, 2026

   According to the old vaqueros it is the bane of existence to compare yourself to anyone, other than, perhaps your former self. And, speaking of my former self, my muse, Kathy Sue, cooked up a tour of van Gogh Country back in 2015. We met in Amsterdam and toured the famous  Rijks Museum, then we took the train to Nuenen (Vincent's hometown), then on to Brussells, Paris, Arles, Sainte-Maries, San Remy, then back to Paris and out to Auvers-Sur-Oise where Vincent was shot by a Buffalo Bill wannabe. The Ds decided to come along as well. That would be Dan & Darlene Harshberger.

   What we saw and experienced was life changing for me.

BBB at San Remy Insane Asylum

(with my hero, Vincent)

   According to Google search, van Gogh created some 2,000 artworks in his short life and that is broken down as 1,100 drawings and sketches and 900 paintings (although one source claims the actual number is 864 paintings). And, of course, legend says he only sold one painting in his lifetime and that would be this one.

"The Red Vineyard"

   Which van Gogh reportedly sold for 400 francs to a fellow painter and collector, Anna Boch. Today, 400 francs is worth about $500 US dollars. And here's a recent painting I sold at a certain museum for that same exact number.

"An In-din On An Indian In In-din Country"

   So, I think it's safe to day I have outsold van Gogh during our respective lifetimes.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

—Old Vaquero Saying