In early 2002, I embarked on a profoundly personal journey called Voyage Van Gogh—a global odyssey inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s life and art. As an artist, I longed to do more than admire his work from a distance. I wanted to walk in his footsteps, stand where he stood, and see the world through his eyes. This wasn’t just about retracing his life; it was about living it in my way, immersing myself in his landscapes, and creating art inspired by his genius.

Traveling with two change of clothes and art supplies.

The quest began in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands, at Van Gogh’s birthplace. Standing outside his childhood home, I could almost hear the whispers of the quiet rural life that shaped his early years. From there, I traveled to the Borinage in Belgium, a stark industrial region where Van Gogh’s deep empathy for humanity—and his commitment to becoming an artist—took root. I walked around the area, from Cuesmes to Flénu, via Frameries, the Grand Hornu, and Colfontaine, tracing the paths Van Gogh once traveled. One of the most moving experiences was following the route Van Gogh often walked from Cuesmes to Mons, imagining his thoughts and struggles along the same winding roads.

My hotel room in Mons. Note painting supplies and French book.

In Brussels and Antwerp, I explored the academies where he studied and began refining his technique. In Paris, I immersed myself in the light and color of Montmartre, where Van Gogh discovered Impressionism and radically transformed his approach to painting.

But this journey wasn’t just about visiting—it was about creating. At each iconic location, I set up my easel and painted the same scenes Van Gogh immortalized, from the café in Arles to the wheat fields of Auvers. Standing in the landscapes that inspired him, I attempted to capture what he saw and what he might have felt. I painted my interpretations of these places alongside these recreations, blending his spirit with my vision.

Putting some touches on Notre Dame. Auvers-sur-Oise, France.

In London, I followed his early explorations into art and culture. In Arles, I painted in the golden light of Provence, where Van Gogh’s creativity soared. In Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, I found myself in the asylum’s garden, painting the same olive trees and irises that comforted him during his struggles. And in Auvers-sur-Oise, I walked nightly past the famous Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption d’Auvers-sur-Oise, the church he made eternal on canvas, to visit his and Theo’s tombs. Those quiet walks became a ritual, a moment of reflection at the end of each day.

No exploration of Van Gogh’s world would have been complete without experiencing some of his indulgences. I even tried absinthe in Paris—the infamous “Green Fairy” he drank with fellow artists. The fiery, bittersweet drink was a vivid reminder of the era’s bohemian spirit.

A bottle of Absinthe and an artist’s meal.

Finally, in Auvers-sur-Oise, standing before the wheat fields where Van Gogh painted his last works, I felt the total weight of his life and legacy. Visiting museums worldwide, from MoMA in New York to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, I sought nearly every publicly available Van Gogh painting, connecting his artistic journey with mine.

My shadow on a field going to Van Gogh’s tomb. Auvers-sur-Oise, France.

Voyage Van Gogh wasn’t just a tribute to a master but a dialogue across time, merging his quest and mine. In walking his path, painting his views, and embracing his world, I discovered the enduring power of his art and a more profound sense of my creative identity.

The following articles will be updated with details of my “Voyage Van Gogh” Quest.