Color—as a subject for discussion and also as an experience— is fun, exhilarating, fanciful, practical, and always interesting. Color use also has serious aspects. As a colorist, I look forward to sharing a wide range of tips, books, and color-and-design related subjects with you.
You're invited to share your own color inspirations!
Integral ColorViews Blog
Color—as a subject for discussion and also as an experience— is fun, exhilarating, fanciful, practical, and always interesting. Color use also has serious aspects. As a colorist, I look forward to sharing a wide range of tips, books, and color-and-design related subjects with you.
You're invited to share your own color inspirations!
Do you know the cars of summer? But, Which Summer?
August 3, 2011
Maybe it’s every summer, but in Ohio it’s a great assortment of beautiful colors on beautiful vintage cars that represent some of the colors of summer, and of adventure.
- Hi there, can I interest you in a great summer car color?
That’s a classic color, for sure (O.K., so I’m from Minnesota!)
Check out the upholstery! What a beautiful job.
Step inside, take a ride!
Maybe you’d prefer red?
Hot, and Hotter!
Or, is it Cool, and Cooler? We didn’t see any Yellow cars that day, though…
- Classic blue and white palette
Going back in time a bit…
Red was probably not the original color.
But isn't it gorgeous?
What’s a car show without an essential, basic, and beautiful green?
There’s something about the quality of the paint job.
All these colors are so deep, you can look into them for miles. Some have embedded metallic within the layers of the finish.
Shiny, Bright, and Brilliant.
And last but certainly not least..the original.
Original version, complete with real, very historic, embellishment.
How will you use these colors? Please share your inspirations!
Color of the week? Try, MOOD of the week, INDIGO!
July 18, 2011
Blues…music, paint, fiber, jewels, feelings.
What’s “Mood Indigo,” anyway?
An audio version of course…this classic!
And another interpretation by Ella Fitzgerald, unsurpassable.
Another way to experience it – Old Levi’s! In the originals, the dye was Indigo.
Indigo culture is worldwide, a fiber dye and therefore, as with many dye materials, a currency. Whether it’s a paste resist in Africa; Batik or block-printing in Indonesia; Rice Paste resist or Arashi Shibori in Japan, and any one of the myriad textile design techniques that are part of indigenous cultures worldwide, using Indigo dye is a highly developed craft and art.
Vats of Indigo in Japan. Find out more at Kimono Boy
Actually, the inspiration for this post was a recent conversation with a friend who now lives in Santa Fe. She mentioned seeing the premier of the documentary, Blue Alchemy, and hearing about it reminded me of the many ways that I’ve seen Indigo dye used over the years. That conversation brought back many memories of my own personal experiences working with many types of tradition textile decoration techniques and materials. Even now, in fact, I can use Indigo-dyed fibers in my own Tibetan rug designs!
In antique textiles, traditional culture textiles, and modern work, Indigo has a presence all its own.
Textiles made by Hmong people in Vietnam, shown at Kimono Reincarnate blog site.
Pots of Indigo in Nigerian traditional dyeing
Indigo printed textile by Morris Kennet -- 1883!
Indigo is earthy, primal, mysterious, exotic, beautiful, and versatile! What more could we ask of one type of plant?
If this is a subject that interests you, check out this video and other material on the same page. And, Enjoy!
Color,Light,Texture, and Action! with the Quintessential Master of Glass
July 10, 2011
A recent visit to the MFA in Boston became an extraordinary experience for me—as the work of Dale Chihuly has been for thousands of others, worldwide.
I’ve never seen so many people at an exhibit who were trying to capture their own personal experience with cameras of all types, from cell phones to professional style equipment. Even though I tried to resist the shutterbug impulse, it did not take long for me to join the crowd. I wanted to share a few my own impressions, and provide you with a link to a fascinating video of this master’s creative process and studio activity.
Color and shape get "Primal," in primary colors
Just one piece of the endlessly fascinating experience in color, form and texture
The work of Dale Chihuly is internationally renowned, but we’re fortunate here in Boston to have a tremendous installation of his work, offering a first-hand experience of being in the midst of his world of color, light, texture…and so much more.
Like dreaming in violet - glass reeds mounted into actual birch logs!
Trying to imagine his creative process needs a lot of help. So, to spare the words…enjoy this experience of being in the Chihuly studio!
Patterns and Colors in Diverse Places and Spaces
June 7, 2011
There’s nothing like being in a different location for a while to stimulate a fresh view of colors and patterns.
From the wonderful LACMA museum in Los Angeles to the tiny Japanese variety store, with a home decorating furniture store in the middle of it all, I’m inspired to share a few images for your enjoyment.
I always enjoy connecting patterns and textures. One example:
Lines, shadows, and textures combine to make interesting patterns
Interesting to look at this for repetition of line and texture, in verticals both organic and built.
Then, for something really different, a quick visit to ZGallerie to see what’s up in L.A. decor! (or some of it, anyway)
You're not in New England anymore, Toto!
Do I detect a theme? Never mind, I love the darks with...Kiwi? Lime? Other name for this green?
Summer turquoise is still happening
Check out the colors above with the colors of the items in the Japanese variety store, below!
See anything similar?
Colors and visual texture remind me of an impressionist painting.
These really made me smile. A color palette resource!
The pattern of pastel colored lunchboxes combines with black-and-white graphic lettering
Love the patterns and colors! Can you guess which ones I bought to use?
The Question
What are the paint colors that these images inspire you to use? Single or as combinations, it’s all fair game and I am interested in YOUR favorites!
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