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Strike Me Pink…You Feel Me? Color Associations & You

Strike Me Pink…You Feel Me?

Color Associations & You

Hello Gentle Readers of Artissima! I am Debra Disman, your friendly Color Muze, here to share tasty tidbits of color wisdom…from here, there and everywhere. (If you would like to know about the relationship between color, and taste..please check out previous posts on SYNESTHESIA, and….Synesthesia!)

April 15, 2012,on Rebecca E. Parsons wonderful, and inspiring blog talk radio “Artistically Speaking Talk Show” , our Color Muze found me in colorFULL convo with Rebecca, and her two highly cre8tive guests, Deb Thompson, and Christy Gossett ; bloggers extraordinaire. We had a fun romp through a serious color association study, that I learned about from Mr. Frank H. Mahnke, my instructor at the IACC-NA ( International Association of Colour Consultants/ Designers North America). The color skinny, as per this study? Color associations may indeed be cross cultural…even universal, within a certain range, of both colors, and cultures. Meaning that…in this study, the majority of participants had similar color associations. What were they? Well…please peruse my take and interpretation below, and let the fun, and fascination, begin! Less verbiage…let’s let “Les Couleures” speak for themselves!

Red = Love

Wouldn’t you know it? (Heart, blood, life force, et al…)

However, when paired with black, the love may change to hatred…oh dear.

However, this may shift depending on the proportions of red to black, and the addition of another color, such as white.

The human presence, also may alter this association!

The obvious associations with sky and water seem to compel us to associate the color blue with peace and tranquility.

As well, green, with its relationship to springtime, plants, and the rejuvenating life force of nature.

Although white may be the color of mourning in some cultures, the majority of participants associated the colors black and gray with mourning and sorrow. Here the effect may be mitigated by an undertone of life giving green, paired with fresh creamy trim.

The most common color associated with “happy” in this study was yellow…with orange coming in second.

What comes to mind when YOU think of orange? The color of joviality…[“French, probably from Italian giovale, from Old Italian, of Jupiter (regarded as the source of happiness”; from Latin joviālis of (the planet) Jupiter, considered by astrologers to foster good humour),

Warm oranges may be associated with appetite, and can be used effectually in kitchens and dining areas.

Here, the radiant, embracing orange wall and ceiling of this living room veer towards the yellow, or golden, also associated with “jovial”.

Fresh clear life affirmative green…no surprise that “LIFE” is a big association!

Slightly toned down, but still radiant! Life Force…here we come!

Light-filled yellow…no orange here..with luminous associations.

More luminous-ness…an exterior faux finish featuring a deeper-valued texture over a lighter base,

popping on this building against an azure blue sky. Yellow = sun/sunshine = light = luminous, indeed.

Speaking of blue…blue and violet associate with “noble”.

Noble blue door…this one does make a statement.

Purple has long been associated with royalty…and has been the color of royalty, or the “highest” of “noble blood”. To obtain this once rare color, a fair amount of effort once had to be made.

“The actual color of Tyrian purple, the original color purple from which the name purple is derived, is the color of a dye extracted from a mollusk found on the shores of the city of Tyre in ancient Phoenicia (present day Lebanon) that in classical antiquity became a symbol of royalty because only the very wealthy could afford it. Therefore, Tyrian purple was also called imperial purple.“ (See Article).

Nature arranges colors so beautifully…in ways that delight us, and make our hearts sing… might her “color associations” be the same as ours?

What colors do YOU associate with “love”, “hatred”, “peace/tranquility”, “sorrow/mourning” “happiness”, “joviality”, “life”, “luminous”. or “noble”?

If you feel so inclined, please share them with us here.

We love to hear from You.

Remember, we are all color associating with this thing called Life, together.

I See the Moon…

I See the Moon…

Does anyone remember the children’s song, “I see the moon, and the moon sees me…the moon sees somebody I want to see…“- I think those are the words, er, lyrics, approximately…and they must have really made an impact, as I seem to recall them often upon moon-sighting, many decades later!

Recently, on our way to a screening, and driving from Santa Monica to West Hollywood, I was amazed to see a perfect Moon hanging magically over the horizontally organized Los Angeles landscape of buildings and freeways. Despite their attempt to grab the spotlight, our companion the Moon effortlessly embodied center stage.

Hastening out my little camera, I was able to capture the pale golden globe floating over a row of streetlights, and looking for all the world like a larger version of one of them. A natural showstopper, the Moon seems always to exceed performance expectations.

We hurtled forward like you do in L.A., on or off the freeways, and soon our glowing friend made another appearance, again reflecting the shape and luminosity of the street lights, yet claiming a role of its own.

Back in beautiful Santa Monica after a lovely lit screening of Oscar contender “The Artist” (it will light you up!) , we saw the Moon again. Flanked by nature, and perfectly positioned between building and trees, it was hard to believe this was the same celestial actor in the pantheon of our galaxy.

Yet, we knew rationally that it was. How many miles away…yet still comforting, thrilling, reassuring, stimulating, and provoking sentiment through its manifest mystery. Our Moon will take the award this year while lighting up our hearts, just because that is what it does. Not a brand, a flavor, a value-added proposition….the Moon exalts us with the authenticity of its own nature, and continues, without a hiccup, to light our way through the night…if we are lucky enough to notice the nuances.

Good night Moon…and Thank you!

What celestial bodies have YOU seen lately, and how did they touch You?

If You feel so inclined, please share about it with us here.

We love to hear from You.

Remember, we are all lending light to the nocturnes of each other’s life, together.

Love and Light be with you!

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on February 1, 2012 at 6:35 pm Comments (2)
Tags: "I see the moon and the moon sees me....", Award, Celestial, Celestial Bodies, Center Stage, Freeways, Golden Globes, Guide, L.A., light, Light our way, Los Angeles, Luminosity, Moon, mystery, Nocturnes, Orb, performance, Role, Santa Monica, Showstopper, Spotlight, Star, The Artist, West Hollywood

Is Your Color Centrifugal or Centripetal?

Is Your Color Centrifugal or Centripetal?

Recently, during our Color Muze segment, on Artistically Speaking Radio, we discussed the fascinating phenomenon of centrifugal and centripetal action and complexity, as color designer and expert Frank Mahnke, of the International Association of Color Consultants/Designers, terms it.

The concept of centrifugal and centripetal action and complexity in this context, is related to using color to create a mood, to support the function of a space. In essence, we create moods through use of color (and pattern), and we can support (or not) the function of a space by the colors and patterns we use in it.

Centrifugal action, derived from the Latin centrum, meaning “center”, and fugere, meaning “to flee”, does just that: directs our attention out and away from the center, or, our inward center, and towards the environment. Warm color, with high luminosity, (” emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light “), has a centrifugal effect, and can help to create bright, cheerful, animated environments, conducive to activity, and conviviality, such as Living and Dining Rooms!

Centripetal action, by contrast, from the Latin centrum “center” and petere “to seek, is associated with inward direction, and can relate to contemplation and concentration. Cooler and softer colors, with less luminosity can produce a centripetal effect, which can in turn increase the ability to focus and perform demanding intellectual or visual work. Or, relax, sleep or bathe!

Strong color contrasts will create excitement in a room,

while less contrast will feel more calming, as in “tone-on-tone” pattern.

The contrast of a dark and cool color, with a light and bright one can create animation and excitement in a space through contrast, while the colors themselves express restraint and dignity,

creating a fitting (pun intended) mood for a sophisticated retail space.

Less color contrast, yet high warmth and luminosity, can create a contained aliveness,

“apropos” for an entryway that is meant to be both welcoming and elegant, calming and warm.

By contrast, strong pattern and related colors can perk up even a small space,

without overpowering it, and distracting from its function!

In summary, when choosing colors for an environment, the function of that environment should be taken into consideration, and color’s ability to focus our attention inward or outward used to its full potential. The warmth or coolness, luminosity, strength (or chromaticity) of a color, the contrasts between colors, and the use of pattern will have a significant effect on the perceived mood of any space, and thus on our ability to use that space, and function in it to highest capacity.

Centrifugal and centripetal action and complexity is another example of the inherent power and effect of color, and how we can harness it to support and improve our lives.

Take a look around at YOUR color schemes.

Is Your Color Centrifugal or Centripetal?

If you so choose, please share about it with us here.

We Love to hear from You.

Remember, we are all trying to get centered in this thing called Life, together.

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