Complementary Colors - A LOVE Story |
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February is the month when we celebrate romantic love.
What I’ve learned in my search for true partnership is that your soulmate is not someone who comes to complete you, to make things easy or to wrap your life up in a perfect “happily ever after” bow.
A soulmate is someone who brings out your best self by acting as your transformer. They lovingly see directly into your soul and call you forward by exposing you to the flaws that keep you from achieving your highest potential, so you can heal yourself.
Elizabeth Gilbert says “a soulmate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. From this, something beautiful happens, and the real “You” is revealed, acknowledged, and finally celebrated".
Ideally, both participants reciprocate this role for each other.
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In the early 1800s Michel Eugene Chevreul, the chief chemist and director of color quality at the dye house for Gobelin’s Tapestries, observed that a single fiber would look different in different parts of the tapestry.
He thought, at first, that his dyes had faded or were somehow defective. Yet carefully mixed and dyed colors frequently failed to achieve the desired effect…when the tapestry was woven, the color looked different….but why?
He discovered that the color changes were not caused by faulty pigments, but by the influence of neighboring color tones. Chevreul found out, among other things, that when two colors touch, the edge where they touch seems to be slightly brighter. He defined this interaction as “simultaneous contrast” because our mind alters the two adjacent colors, when seen by the eye, to appear as dissimilar as possible.
Chevreul used the color wheel to explain this simultaneous interaction noting that “the contrast of the most opposite colors is most agreeable…the complementary assortment is superior to every other.”
Complementary colors used in large quantities will make each other more brilliant because the muted background color will repel the color of the object’s color field. They reciprocate by strengthening the best qualities in their mate.
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All of the blue boxes are the same color. Notice how different they appear depending on the background color. Which is the brightest blue box? |
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Notice how the complementary background color affects the color of the circle. When you stare at it do you notice a vibration in the color? |
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Science explains this effect on our eyes. The retina of the eye contains three types of rods and cones which are each specialized in detecting one primary color - red, green, and blue. When one set of detectors, for example, red gets overloaded they rest, and then the opposite color, green, becomes stronger to our perception. With extended looking the mind strengthens both colors and the effect is brilliant, vibrating color.
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You were probably first introduced to the color wheel in elementary school. Each complementary pair is placed opposite the other around the wheel. When mixed together these two complementary colors cancel each other out to form a supportive neutral gray or brown color. When placed next to each other they create the strongest possible contrast. On the six slice color wheel, one color is a primary (red, yellow, or blue meaning it cannot be mixed from the other colors) and its opposite (complement) is created by combining the other pair of primary colors; red/green, yellow/violet, blue/orange.
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Painters began applying this knowledge of simultaneous contrast of complements during the early 1900s. Van Gogh, Seurat, Monet, Cassatt, and Turner, all studied Chevreul and employed complementary color to great effect in their work.
You can make your own color planning much less stressful by basing your artwork on a complementary pair of colors. Mixed together each complementary pair provides hundreds of beautiful neutral supporting chords for showing off your brilliant passages of pure color. When you are stuck with too much “mud” in your painting, consider bringing in a brilliant complement, or if you have too much brilliance, you can mix up a neutral complement in the background that will strengthen the areas you like best.
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Notice the beautiful neutral colors created by combining these pairs of complementary colors. |
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Notice how Van Gogh employed the use of the complementary pairs yellow/violet and blue/orange to enhance the brilliance of this sunflower. |
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l use this concept of color soulmates when teaching the more subtle applications of the color wheel. Knowing that red will be its best and most brilliant self in the presence of green makes my color games more playful and more fun. It also helps me and my students to step away from reliance on the dull colors in our photographs into more inventive color harmonies. If you would like to explore color interaction in more depth please reach out to me. I welcome the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the years in private classes, group settings, and/or workshops.
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My wish for you this year is that you discover your complement: a reciprocal match who helps you to uncover, polish, and shine your own brilliance and allows you to show them off in their best light as well.
I am here to support you in your artistic evolution. I invite you to allow me to lovingly guide, and accompany you in your artistic growth.
With Light and Delight,
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P.S. If you didn't get the chance to download your free gift from me: Here is my "Inner Artist Inspiration Package" - a series of illustrated quotes in watercolor based on flower photos taken by family and friends.
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Quote:
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one come to you without leaving happier. - Mother Teresa
L.O.V.E.
Listen = I hear you
Observe = I see you
Validate = I accept you
Empathize = I understand you
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Saturday, February 26, 2022 meet at 12:00 noon
at the
Lake and Lucerne Avenues, spanning between Dixie and Federal Highways.
ADMISSION is FREE
Over 600 artists use the pavement as canvas to transform downtown Lake Worth into a temporary outdoor museum of original art and masterpiece reproductions. The tradition of street painting traces back to 16th century Italy when itinerant artists would use their chalks to transform pavement into a makeshift canvas. As in ages past, crowds gather to watch as fine works of art emerge. The “paintings” last only until the next rain, but the lively spirit and accessibility of the exhibition captivates audiences and inspires lasting memories.
The Lake Worth Beach Street Painting Festival claims bragging rights as the world’s largest festival of its kind. This “outdoor gallery” is located on Lake and Lucerne Avenues, spanning between Dixie and Federal Highways. It all starts at 10:00 AM each day.
Please let me know if you are interested in joining me for this event.
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April Overnight Art Adventure? |
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March 26 – July 24, 2022
Initiated in New Mexico in 1938, the Transcendental Painting Group set out to explore spiritually heightened abstraction, employing free-wheeling symbols and imagery drawn from the collective unconscious. Under the guidance of Raymond Jonson and Emil Bisttram, artists Agnes Pelton, Lawren Harris, Florence Miller Pierce, Horace Pierce, Robert Gribbroek, William Lumpkins, Dane Rudhyar, Stuart Walker and Ed Garman sought, per their manifesto, “to carry painting beyond the appearance of the physical world, through new concepts of space, color, light and design to imaginative realms that are idealistic and spiritual.”
Would you be interested in joining me for a visit to this exhibit at Baker Art Museum in Naples, FL on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, for a lecture, tour, and perhaps an overnight stay? I can do this trip in a day or return on Wednesday, April 6th. Please let me know if this is something that interests you and if you would consider spending the night in Naples before returning the next day. We can have some fun dining out and sharing our thoughts while we are enjoying the beauty of Naples. I will start planning this as soon as I have three people interested in participating.
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Thursday Adult Group Classes: |
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This is not a drawing class!
Art is a divine expression of the human creative force.
Here is a place to problem-solve, be bold, take chances and make mistakes with limited consequences. At the end of the night, you will have spent a few hours in the company of friends known and new, you will have a beautiful (or not so beautiful... yet) decorated piece of paper or a canvas and a sense of well-being that comes from engaging your creativity.
Every class we will "play" with a canvas or paper to create a work of art using different tools, materials, and techniques. Every class we will make something new. Come prepared to make exuberant art.
No experience necessary, just a willingness to be bold, free, and open-minded.
Sign up by the Tuesday before class so I can be sure to have enough materials for everyone.
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- Gold Coast Watercolor Society
Annual Members Love Watercolor Show
Ft Lauderdale Main Library - Gallery 6
100 S Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
2/1/22 - 2/26/22
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Presidents Day Weekend Art Festivals |
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Three huge juried Art Festivals in South Florida all on the weekend of February 19 and 20, 2022! Here's your chance to soak up some inspiration and support art creators.
Artigras - Palm Beach Gardens
In the past 10 years, ArtiGras has raised over $300,000 for Youth Art Education and local charities.
ArtiGras has been previously held at The Gardens Mall, the field on RCA Blvd, where the G4S building is now, and the first site – the North Palm Beach Country Club.
The ArtiGras site area including Event Area and Site Operations is approximately 516,400 square feet (11.9 acres).
ArtiGras artists come from all over the country representing 40 states and Canada.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
This three-day outdoor art festival focuses on one thing: world-class art. They offer something for everyone with culinary displays, live performances, and family areas to keep your team busy while you peruse all the art! Held every Presidents’ Day Weekend, in the charming waterfront village of Coconut Grove. More than 360 internationally-recognized and jury-selected artists showcase their spectacular works with Biscayne Bay as the backdrop. They invite you to visit the Arts Festival and learn why they’ve been at the top of everyone’s list for 58 years
Naples National Art Festival
The Naples National Art Show was recently voted #5 of the top art shows in the country for the past ten years (2010 – 2020) by Sunshine Artist Magazine. In addition, it was named one of Art Fair SourceBook Blue Chip 100 Fine Art Events and one of ArtFairCalendar.com’s America’s Best 50 Art Fairs for 2019. The show is held in scenic Cambier Park and along 8th Street South, one block from downtown Naples’ premier shopping and dining district.
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Private Lessons and Events |
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Master Classes for High School Students |
Private, highly personalized classes in mastery for artistically-minded US & international students virtually on Zoom or in person at my home.
If you have a student who is a visual thinker, willing to push the boundaries of their own work, and serious about improving their options for college, I want to hear from you! Schedule a time to discuss how I can collaborate with you to build a portfolio that will give your student the greatest chance for success.
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Art Workshops, Critiques & Presentations |
Invite me to present or lead a workshop for your school, club, or guild.
I can customize a program for your event or present my skills programs on composition, color theory, drawing faces, coordinating light/shadow or understanding the cues for depth. I am available for judging, confidence-building critiques and recorded tutorials.
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Improve Your Artist Statement |
If you would like to delve more deeply into your own inner questions and clarify your thoughts as you create an artist statement for your website, a gallery show, a sponsor, or another project, please reach out, and let’s talk. I have helped many students write compelling statements for AP Art, college applications, and competitions.
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Sketchbook Prompt:
Hearts are the organ of love. How can you play with this symbol in a new and different way to visualize your heart filled with love? Maybe you can show the things that fill your heart with love, or characteristics about yourself (or someone else) that you value, admire, and appreciate. What inspiration comes up for you? Please share what you create.
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This happened in January: |
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I had the good fortune to attend the "Art of Banksy - Without Limits" with these lovely ladies. The show was as inspiring as I had hoped it would be with lots of new surprises and old favorites I was hoping to meet in person. What I love most about Banksy is the way he gets you to recognize the absurdity in so many things we consider ordinary and "normal". I highly recommend this show.
Here's the commentary from the website:
Banksy has the unique ability to express strong political statements with poetry, energy, and humor with an unnerving ability to get to the heart of the subject matter. The Art of Banksy features more than 155 of the artist’s works — Original Artworks, Prints on different kinds of materials, photos, sculptures, installations, murals, and more. Some of his works are carefully reproduced with his stencil technique, especially for the exhibition. A video documentary gives visitors insights into his life and work.
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Saturday, January 22, 2022
at the
Ice Palace Studios
1400 N. Miami Ave in Miami
Order tickets here:
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I had the fun of re-creating this watercolor painting as a special Christmas gift commission for a wonderful lady whose children used to love jumping off the Memorial bridge in Edgartown. My kids loved jumping there too and I hope you can feel the joy in my painting. I thought you might appreciate seeing how a painting like this progresses from drawing to finished artwork. |
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