The Story of Hill van Gogh
Hill was born during Hitler's occupation of Holland. For the first five years of her live she was moved and uprooted constantly. Her family was escaping from soldiers and death. The trauma of these years is reflected in many of the art pieces that she creates today. Now, with an illustrious name and artistic talent, she says she is trying to "Wage Peace" through her art.
As a young child, Hill made a kaleidoscope out of an old shoe box. She walked the streets and sold chances to look inside. She was very successful. People loved her and she raised money for her family's food. Hill spent her youth wandering the museums and galleries of Amsterdam and The Hague, because of her famous relative, Vincent van Gogh, she was afraid to pursue her natural artistic talents. It took years for the artist to feel it was acceptable to do her own work using her own style, yet honoring her family name.
Once Hill was able to overcome this burden of fame, her art work flourished and grew. She is basically a self taught creator. She calls herself an "autodidact" artist. Hill van Gogh loves to work in multi-media styles. This includes plants, glue, sand and coral. One of her favorite methods of painting is to close her eyes and feel the paint, on the canvas, with her hands, feet and elbows. She used this approach in creating "make peace"which is at the white house in the Clinton's private collection. This painting shows several faces and figures "Talking Peace" while some are turning their backs on peace and the blood of war. A large owl face in the center covers all others. Hill says the owl represents Bill Clinton. He is the "Wise Owl" who will finally stop the talking and make peace.
How she works
She works in her own unique style. Hours-long rituals beginning at sunset and a full moon precede actual painting. Canvas covers the floor of her studio. She begins with 90 minutes of music. She pours champagne and makes contact with the universe. She invites spirits of painters and presidents to join her. Vincent himself who lived between 1853-1890 is often with her.