March 8

Beyond Van Gogh- Brilliant but Tragic

There is no way to tell the Spiritual condition of a person except for by their life.  It is by our heart and true faith that we live and die.  The story of Vincent Van Gogh is brilliant yet tragic. 

The scripture says in 1 John 5:11-13 “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 

Only God knows if Van Gogh found the peace he needed.

Van Gogh self portrait.

His artwork lives on world-wide and now in Jacksonville, Florida in a magnificent display of color, movement and art.  The “Beyond Van Gogh” project is a display of over 300 pieces of his work put together using basically a light show.  

It is the first showing of any kind in the newly purchased First Baptist Church auditorium located on Beaver Street,  which was sold in 2022.  The company who bought it is using it as an “event center” and  will be bringing in other programs such as King Tut and more.  For now, it is hosting Van Gogh’s work and due to the success of its showing, it has been extended twice.

When you walk in, there is a bar where liquor can be purchased and a cashier who will take your money or scan your electronic ticket on your phone. ( God must be crying about his Church but that’s a story for another day). 

They take walk-in’s however, encourage reservations.  There were eight of us.

Go with friends. You’ll have fun.

Right away, there are at least 10 foot lit up panels telling of Van Gogh’s life which amounts to highs and lows of him trying to find success.  His father was a protestant preacher and Van Gogh even thought he might follow in his father’s footsteps and preach but he did not find that to be successful for him.

Through many trials and even business dealings with this brother Theo, he came to the realisation that he was indeed an artist.

This show provides the proof.  Only God knows of Van Gogh’s relationship with Him. I pray he found that.

This event seems a bit pricy but if you go with a great group of people or the one you love, you’ll find it worth the cost.

Go with the one that you love… You’ll love all the more.

Go Here-NoCo Center-712 N Hogan St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Contact here-


1-800-441-0819
Hello@VanGoghJacksonville.com

See you tomorrow.

Nan

December 27

Jacksonville’s Photographic History

DaVinci’s theory of the camera was documented in his sketch books along with other famous inventions.  Some 270 drawings of the camera idea were in his sketchbooks.

Davinci drawings from sketchbook

One of the oldest camera photos of all time his of a view from a window in Le Gras, France in 1826. The portrait is now in public domain.   One of the first documented photos in the United States of America was a self portrait of Robert Cornelias in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1839. This photo is also in public domain.

Just as an aside of information, the first uploaded photograph was by the founder of the internet, Tim Berners Lee  on July 18, 1992.

Web Founder

It appears that the first President of the United States to be photographed was that of John Quincy Adams in 1843 in his Massachusetts’ home. This was taken only 4 year after the daguerreotype method was invented. There have been only 3 photographs of him known and one was reported by the Associated Press as being found in an antique shop which was believed to be taken in 1843 as his diary entry said on August 1, 1843, The photos  themselves, however, he deemed “hideous” and “too true to the original.”) This is also the photo known to be found in an antique shop and bought for .50 cents. The photo below was believed to be taken around the same time.

Interestingly, it was John Quincy Adams to whom a letter for Jacksonville’s territorial request was sent but the petition denied.  In August of 1822 however, Duval County was established and William Duval placed a ferry crossing the St. Johns River which led to the town charter for Jacksonville in 1832. I guess that photo found had not even been taken at that time.

Cooley photographed in the South as well

Based on documentation at the Library of Congress, photographs in Jacksonville, Florida seem to appear first in 1864 when photographer, Sam A. Cooley from the 10th Army Corps was in town to photograph the Civil War situation.  

Library of Congress-Jacksonville

Noted film actor, Robert Vignola was a part of film history in a photograph documented in Jacksonville and in acting as well.  According to the JHS, he came to Jacksonville in 1908.

Robert Vignola

Through the years, Jacksonville has had many historic photographs documenting the lives of its people, places and things. Are you a photographer?  Do you have any interesting photos to share? 

Inside Granny Lee’s log cabin -1965

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Library of Congress, Wikipedia, Wikicommons, Jacksonville Historical Society, Florida Memory

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November 14

Jacksonville Fair Frills

Every year, our family enters something into the Jacksonville Fair arts contest. It’s fun and free and you might even win a dollar or so. This year, I entered a cabinet door painted with chickens and won the $10 prize for “Best in Class”. How fun! Also entered was a drawing of the Jacksonville clock which received a blue ribbon. Yay.

As a “wanna-be” artist and being named “Nan”, I paint by the name of “Nan Gogh”. My cousin, Phyllis once teased me in that way and from then, Nan Gogh has been my assigned painting name.

Kathy, my sister has won multiple first place ribbons at the fair over the years and this year was no different, she received a first place for her drawing of Mollie, the family dog.

Ramey, my 9 year old grandson is now in his 2nd year of winnings with a first place this year for his photo of our family old Dr. wagon which was recently restored on our parent’s Homestead property.

Ah…What to do for next year…

See you tomorrow,

2022