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Kara Norman's avatar

“There is a lot of talk about Substack on Substack.” lol and WORD. Yes to the drive! Yes to not being able to stop! Yes to people who share in the hopes it will benefit others. Thank you for sharing your VVG funnel(s) of obsession ✨ I’m enjoying the swirls! 💗

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Robyn Ryle's avatar

All about the swirls. And, yes, whenever I have a sort of off-the-wall thought or conversation in my head I figure, “I’m probably not the only one having these thoughts. Let’s have them together.”

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Kara Norman's avatar

Yeeees. My whole (delusional?) ethos as a human and therefore writer. “I know I’m not the only one!” 🪇

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Robyn Ryle's avatar

Exactly!

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Melissa Firman's avatar

Yes to all of this!

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Robyn Ryle's avatar

Thanks, Melissa!

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Chuck Rybak's avatar

I read a Van Gogh biography recently that was profoundly moving. Such a fascinating (and tortured) person in so many ways, but the final burst of creativity--sometimes two paintings a day!

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Robyn Ryle's avatar

I know! He was churning out those paintings, sometimes painting the same thing over and over again. I love the drive combined with obsession. But I’d also like to keep my ear where it is, attached to my head.

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Chuck Rybak's avatar

Indeed! I kind of obsess over the fact that he spent so much time doing figure drawings that he hated and that got rid of. Somewhere out there is an alternate world where there are 10,000 drawing of common people by Van Gogh.

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Robyn Ryle's avatar

Yes! What happened to them? I’m also interested in how determined he was to be a figure painter when it seems to me his real talent was for landscape or still life. Then again, maybe if he could have got more people to sit for him, it would have been different. But as I go deep into my obsession, I think Van Gogh was very much painting particular moments. He had to see the thing he was painting. And when you’re making someone sit still long enough to paint them, maybe that specific moment gets lost? I don’t know. So much to think about.

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Debbie Weil's avatar

I love this! Thanks Robyn.

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Robyn Ryle's avatar

You’re so welcome, Debbie!

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Amy Shearn's avatar

This is exactly what I needed to read right now! Thank you!

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Satya Robyn's avatar

Glad you are here. Sending love!

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Robyn Ryle's avatar

Thanks, Satya! Sending you and Kaspa all the good house vibes!

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Satya Robyn's avatar

Thank you! We're getting closer 😬

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