| THE PAINTER'S SELF-IMAGE | | | | another. Basically he told artists to put |
| Image consultants can help painters understand their | | | | complementary colors together, that is, green and |
| development as an artist. All painters begin by | | | | orange, blue and yellow, red and purple. Van Gogh |
| developing an interest in art, usually through | | | | followed this structure in his work. |
| experiencing significant self-image problems. But these | | | | The problems van Gogh encountered in life led him to |
| problems ultimately result in the transformation of | | | | suffer mentally. He cut off his ear. This self-mutilation |
| self that leads to artistic mastery. Only by | | | | was the result of a poor self-image. Ironically it made |
| understanding the process can an artist reap the final | | | | his appearance even worse. At this point it is relevant |
| rewards. | | | | to note that no one helped him. What he needed |
| THE PAINTER'S DEVELOPMENT | | | | was an image consultant. Such an individual could |
| Van Gogh began life as a minister's son. He was the | | | | have told him to improve his appearance. This would |
| firstborn in his family (an older brother died a year | | | | have boosted his self-image and perhaps he would |
| before he was born). He grew up with the following | | | | not have mutilated himself. |
| siblings, in the following order: Anna (2 years | | | | HOW VAN GOGH COULD HAVE BEEN HELPED BY |
| younger), Theo (4 years younger), Elisabeth (6 years | | | | AN IMAGE CONSULTANT |
| younger), Willemina (9 years younger), and Cornelis | | | | It may sound simplistic to suggest that Vincent van |
| (14 years younger). He had significant conflict with his | | | | Gogh could have been helped by an image consultant, |
| father, who threatened to send him to a mental | | | | but that is precisely what could have happened. How |
| institution. | | | | could he not have been helped by such a |
| The key fact in Vincent's life was his conflict with his | | | | professional? Indeed, he had such a poor self-image |
| father. This fact has been neglected by most | | | | that he sliced off his ear. Anyone with a low |
| analysts. Yet this pivotal relationship problem threw | | | | self-image like this could benefit from a new |
| him off the track usually followed by most firstborns, | | | | wardrobe, new shoes, and a haircut. If he had |
| who typically become clones of their parents and | | | | received such advice, he would certainly have |
| develop strong conservative and religious beliefs. | | | | experienced a boost in his self-image. Perhaps he |
| The crucial stage of an artist is the stage where the | | | | would have lived longer and painted more. |
| self is deconstructed or the self-image is upset by | | | | If you are an artist, you probably experienced |
| conflict with older siblings or parents. In Vincent's case | | | | significant conflict with a parent if you're a firstborn. |
| the disruptive factor was his father. This caused | | | | If you're a laterborn, you probably had bullying older |
| Vincent's self-image to develop in a way that Frank | | | | siblings. Your self-image was therefore diverted from |
| Sulloway has called the path of the "honorary | | | | the normal path, and you became an artist as a |
| laterborn." This means van Gogh did not identify with | | | | result. You probably rebel against authority, are liberal, |
| his father. Instead, he struck out on a new path. | | | | and have a critical view of religion. Like van Gogh you |
| Usually firstborns who have significant parental | | | | turned to art as a means of expressing yourself |
| conflict become artistic or anarchistic rebels. Van | | | | when others would not listen. If you use an image |
| Gogh rebelled by becoming a new kind of painter, | | | | consultant, you can avoid some of the difficulties van |
| one of the fathers of modern painting. | | | | Gogh experienced. |
| HIS FATHER FIGURE | | | | Do not hesitate to use an image consultant. You'll find |
| Many artists find a substitute parent because of the | | | | it fun. An image consultant was used by millionaire |
| conflict they experienced. Van Gogh's substitute | | | | artist Jeff Koons, for example. He found it a fun |
| parent was Michel Eugene Chevreul, a French | | | | experience and is now making millions as a result of |
| tapestry seller who devised a color theory. Chevreul's | | | | his work. We can help you improve your wardrobe |
| theory said that two adjacent colors will affect one | | | | and in the process cut a bold new figure in the world. |