I do my best thinking while on the treadmill, the repetitive walking, stomp, stomp, stomp forces me to connect to the “greater mind” and receive my best ideas. It brought me to a question, “why do I have a need to paint vivid color?
I heard a quote today from Iyanla Vanzant, “Our eyes adjust to the level of deficiency present.” As our vision is obscured, we become accustomed to our everyday way of thinking, preventing us from exploring outside our comfort zone.
And yet, could it be that there is a lot more that is going on around us daily that we are unable to see and don’t have the level of consciousness to understand?
While painting Plein Air, a person came over to me perturbed as if I made a terrible mistake, “I don’t see that color!” Of course his untrained eye only knew local color and was unable to see what was actually there.
Taking it a step further my painting goes beyond local color and hopefully like a strong cup of coffee, WAKES YOU UP!
This is my 22nd painting for my #paint52 Challenge, measures approx. 9-1/2 ” x 9-1/2″, Atelier Interactive Acrylic on vellum*. Price $190.00
*Vellum is archival, a heavy paper resembles the thickness of mat board.
Hi Janet,
I enjoyed this writing of yours — thanks. I, too, paint in vivid color and I’ve had the same reaction, “I don’t see that color.” I tell those folks that I am painting my feelings about a place more than just what I am seeing. I paint in both oil and acrylic, and even do some watercolors. And you got me started “painting” on the ipad which is totally creative fun.
Happy painting!
Penny
http://www.pennyotwell.com
Love it!
That poor man may be as narrow minded as his vision seems to be. Hopefully, your beautiful painting will wake him up a bit. 🙂
Hi Janet,
it’s interesting how many people can’t feel or even hear a color even though it’s there! Over the years, many lose this ability as they “grow up”.
Glad you’re awake 🙂
Franziska
The reds are so emotional! Drama! Passion!
Interesting how walking or exercise wake up the muse. I used to call walking ‘meditation in movement’. It’s mentally stimulating.
Yes you are so right Liz it is probably the repetitive movement that causes this meditation. I love that you saw drama and passion. It is always interesting to hear what people see in your art. Thank you so much!
Franziska, My art teacher told me that I would never see the same way again after taking his class. He was so right. I’m so glad that I had this opportunity later in my life even if it is just to wake up the senses. Thanks so much for your great comment.
Hi Cheryl, I hope it could wake him up a tad, perhaps better than a luke warm latte’? Thanks so much love seeing you and your comments 😉
I love your art Penny and so appreciate your comment. I didn’t know that I started your adventure on the iPad. How wonderful that you are creating in so many ways!
Your color sings! So glad you you paint in coloratura. Your beautiful creations are helping people to see.
Terri Wilson Godfrey to Janet: Your blog, to me, is visually pleasing and inspring. The art, the font, size of lettering, the white background, very appealing. Your words tell about you the artist, in your process, what moves you, what results and how you interact with life and nature, your art intuitions. I really love your art style and you definitely have one, plus the use of vibrant colors all the time. That appeals to me as I am a lover of beautiful eye-catching color and am trying to experiment more in those depths in my art and in my life. (We just painted the new bathroom turquoise and white). Thank you for sharing so much of your art and your process.
Terri, I love your reply, since I have been working so hard on improving my blog. You have acknowledged exactly what I am trying to accomplish, and thanks for taking the time to leave such lovely comments. 🙂
OOOH love the word coloratura, that could be a whole new blog, thanks Shannon!
Janet,
I remember Mike Linstrom saying that everyone sees color differently but they can agree on value. Well I know I see greens differently than Mike. Lately my colors seem flat. I need to bump them up. I have noticed in the furniture stores that beige and dull browns are all over. I think maybe, people are afraid of color. I have several German friends and they use browns and natural colors for holidays like Christmas. While many third world people use vibrant color. I wonder why this is.
Oh, thought of another comment. I had cataract surgery and when I took off the bandage from the first eye I had done, I could see that a slow brown haze and dullness had taken over my sight. Couldn’t wait to have the second one done. Also every thing had become flat and after the surgery, I so much more aware of the dimensional quality of the world around me.
Yes, most the time when an artist doesn’t prefer color, value becomes a strong characteristic. I do believe though that a lot of colorists do paint with a flatter appearance and perhaps even large planes of flat color, but there is always the perspective of color and the push and pull that creates 3 dimensions on a two dimensional plane. Mike often talked about temperature as well and how important it is for both styles of painters to be conscious of.
Even though there are a lot of beiges and neutrals found in the interior decorating industry, I have noticed vivid bright colors in the fashion industry. The Germans also love the bright oranges and yellow greens. Do you think color reflects the spirit of people? You were mentioning after your surgery that you found you were painting with muted color. I heard of other artists having that same experience after cataract surgery, prior to surgery they were painting very bright, because their vision wasn’t as clear. Hmmm, I think there is something to be said about needing glasses 😉 Thanks so much Mary, you gave a lot of food for thought. Loved your comments.
Fantastic painting, Janet. Being a fan of trees and bright energizing colors, I approve 😀
Leah, I can see we have a lot in common wth color, so great seeing you here and thank you!
Your creative use of color calls to me and draws me in, inspires me to think outside of my box invites me to explore!!! 😀
You always inspire me Christine, love your energy, and thank you! 🙂