There are so many colours still to explore, even black and white! So just before I move on to other burning topics, a few fun things and other people whose colour work I find inspiring.
Well this one is just for fun... tells you by what colour you like a little about you. Check it out. http://ht.ly/3APiw
I have previously mentioned the Colour Institute (fascinating) but this year, the Pantone Honeysuckle I also find fascinating - this is the noted "Colour of 2011" and its applications will make the world seen "through rose coloured glasses" for sure.
What is your favourite colour? My friend, highly talented artist Doug Swinton, and lead customer service agent at Swintons Art has a message if you call him that says "leave your name, number and favorite colour" - of course I always do... the colour changes though!
Choosing colours is something that some people are very comfortable with, and some people simply are not. Shows like HGTV's Colour Confidential offer a really safe environment as Jane Lockhart has a unique way of sharing colour with people, and finding what their comfort zones are and then pushing them a bit.
I have already mentioned hair (Marsha, Marsha and Nicole!) and a little about red, my personal favorite. During my years as a stylist I also worked as a colour technician and instructor for a world leader in hair colour. I have always loved colour - red, black, blonde, brown, for various reasons and for various people that carry these off really well. Jaclyn Smith was my first brunette heroine; my friend and superstar owner of Greenscape Silk Corinne of Greenscape has amazing black hair, often with blue highlights; and blonde, well Portia Rossi in Ally McBeal - hello... and my daughter has just had her first (at 10) "when I was five I had blond hair" highlights - gorgeously natural from my long time stylist Trina, a true master of hair.
I love all things about colour, in light, linen, fashion, nature, events, and more. I appreciate also the comments from friends who have been inspired and who have remembered what they love about colour too - from times living in the Caribbean, visiting India, cooking and planning events and how they love it as I do. Now it is on to a new subject!
Showing posts with label Creative Process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Creative Process. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
It is easy Being Green
Contrary to what Kermit said, it is easy being green. Green is life, signifying growth, health, renewal and of course, our environment. Green is a movement, a way of life as we continue with the 4 r's and increase the health of our burgeoning planet. It is positive, GO with the green light signifying forward motion, or a green thumb as gardens are successful.
Green can also be the colour of new, as in a fresh sprout, or as in "being green" or "greenhorn" - the new kid on the block, lots to learn, and potentially much to contribute.
As I have looked at all the other chakra colours, we will also look at green, the heart chakra, in the fourth position between the physical roots, and the metaphysical, it equalizes feelings as they pass through the heart; green is the balance point.
Green rooms are where the talent waits backstage, preparing to inspire and wow. A golf green is a place of deep happiness, challenge and occasionally frustration, or in this case, of astounding awe.
When we move into events, green can please, green can soothe or inspire. In centrepieces a whimsical recreation of golf, or fresh florals provides a pleasant counterpoint.
A much more impactful design can create a moment of "aaahhhhh" as guests enter. No matter how green is represented it enhances comfort as this cool colour soothes and re-energizes.
Green can also be the colour of new, as in a fresh sprout, or as in "being green" or "greenhorn" - the new kid on the block, lots to learn, and potentially much to contribute.
As I have looked at all the other chakra colours, we will also look at green, the heart chakra, in the fourth position between the physical roots, and the metaphysical, it equalizes feelings as they pass through the heart; green is the balance point.
Green rooms are where the talent waits backstage, preparing to inspire and wow. A golf green is a place of deep happiness, challenge and occasionally frustration, or in this case, of astounding awe.
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| Furry Creek 14th hole |
A much more impactful design can create a moment of "aaahhhhh" as guests enter. No matter how green is represented it enhances comfort as this cool colour soothes and re-energizes.
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| Two gorgeous events by Cantrav, capturing the light. |
Friday, January 7, 2011
Blue - a cruise to the cool side
Well here we go to the other side of the color wheel. The cool side. Blue, violet, green, with blue being the only primary color here, the last of the three true primary colors. Today this picture was shared with me, so because it made me smile I share it with you. It's blue, it is memories that are all good, and it involves my second favorite thing, cookies! In the last post I talked about great redheads - I suppose blue fur has its place too! Marge Simpson's hair... well we all know it's not exactly a natural shade...
Blue has many differences in how it makes us feel from the warm colours just explored in recent posts. This cool colour has shades from sky blue to ocean blue, and so many shades in between. Blue is a color that nearly everyone feels an affinity with as it is a calming colour. Spiritually blue represents the communication chakra, and has to do with our will, and our willingness to communicate honestly about how we are feeling. Sharing joy, expressing anger, getting past the "lump in the throat" and communicating, all important to our health.
In nature, blue brings awe. A gorgeous night sky always soothes, especially as dusk fully settles.
Where blue is limited - in food, where there is little true blue seen (but where so much vibrancy from other colours is found). Where blue comes to life though is in blues music, and with so many truly talented musicians sharing their skill and passion for this music with us, even those not familiar with the genre will find themselves captivated.
How does blue make you feel... especially compared to the hot colors?
Blue has many differences in how it makes us feel from the warm colours just explored in recent posts. This cool colour has shades from sky blue to ocean blue, and so many shades in between. Blue is a color that nearly everyone feels an affinity with as it is a calming colour. Spiritually blue represents the communication chakra, and has to do with our will, and our willingness to communicate honestly about how we are feeling. Sharing joy, expressing anger, getting past the "lump in the throat" and communicating, all important to our health.
In nature, blue brings awe. A gorgeous night sky always soothes, especially as dusk fully settles.
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| Gorgeous night in Vancouver, with our old BC Place as it no longer is, photo by the amazing Anton Teterine |
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| Our Aquarium tells us these are Japanese stinging nettles. We still call them jellyfish. |
Where blue is limited - in food, where there is little true blue seen (but where so much vibrancy from other colours is found). Where blue comes to life though is in blues music, and with so many truly talented musicians sharing their skill and passion for this music with us, even those not familiar with the genre will find themselves captivated.
When it comes to events, blue is absolutely one of my favorite colors, Its depth, its calm, its ability to create a space where people feel comfortable when they come in, and where we need to be prepared to have them stay all night.
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| Lindsay Donovan captured this moment at the MPI WEC 2010 Welcome Reception |
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| When the SVP of All Things Creative (obviously some liberty with the title but he was in charge of all visuals at his organization) came into the room for the rehearsal he said "I feel as though I have walked into a little slice of heaven" (I thought "my work here is done"... but of course it wasn't quite!) |
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Red, Beautiful Red
Oh red, how I (heart) thee! Your energy, your beauty, your light.
First, a few notes on fashion and red.
The power of red extends to brands we cannot help but recognize. Our Canadian maple leaf, so symbolic. The red serge of our Mounties, recognized around the world. The red of a Coke can, the most internationally recognized symbol of the organization with the world's greatest distribution network. Virgin. The Red Room.
Red is of course, the 1st chakra color. Stability, physical energy, passion, courage, desire. It is connected to our spinal column, adrenal glands, legs and more. As it is the color of passion, it is also the color of anger. Red can be demanding. It demands we stand up and take notice. NOW.
Then there are events. Red is representative of so many great cultures. From the red and black of our First Nations, coming from the ochre and graphite used in their first art, to Asian cultures where red is so prevalent, to just being a truly impactful color that creates stunning visuals when guests arrive, and then carries through its energy as an event progresses. There are so many ways red can be used to create expression, to build mood and it is always a colour that when we speak of it, our client's eyes change as they too can feel the energy that will happen. Red is passion, and it easily inspires. BRING ON THE RED!
How does red make you feel?
First, a few notes on fashion and red.
- Red hair - love it, always wanted natural red, long, curly or straight, fabulous hair (think the original Nicole Kidman or oh so current Marsha Collier or Bree on Desparate Housewives). As a hairdresser, also LOVED creating red highlights- so vibrant, so alive, so darn pretty in the sun, and truly, since it is natural in hair, easier to attain and maintain.
- Red lipstick. Enough said.
- Red nail polish. Not for me as I seem to chip in nanoseconds, but for anyone who can carry it off - admired!
- Red dress. Every girl should have the LBD, but a red dress, now that makes a statement.
The power of red extends to brands we cannot help but recognize. Our Canadian maple leaf, so symbolic. The red serge of our Mounties, recognized around the world. The red of a Coke can, the most internationally recognized symbol of the organization with the world's greatest distribution network. Virgin. The Red Room.
Red is of course, the 1st chakra color. Stability, physical energy, passion, courage, desire. It is connected to our spinal column, adrenal glands, legs and more. As it is the color of passion, it is also the color of anger. Red can be demanding. It demands we stand up and take notice. NOW.
Then there are events. Red is representative of so many great cultures. From the red and black of our First Nations, coming from the ochre and graphite used in their first art, to Asian cultures where red is so prevalent, to just being a truly impactful color that creates stunning visuals when guests arrive, and then carries through its energy as an event progresses. There are so many ways red can be used to create expression, to build mood and it is always a colour that when we speak of it, our client's eyes change as they too can feel the energy that will happen. Red is passion, and it easily inspires. BRING ON THE RED!
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| Brian Dennehy, photographer strikes again! |
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| Photo by Erin Wallace in the Van Horne Ballroom at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel |
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Next Stop: Orange
Orange is awesome for lots of reasons. Linguistically, it has no rhyming words! It is the colour of the second chakra, representing the navel/lower abdomen, and is the color of joy, of power in wellness, sexuality and enthusiasm.
Orange, unlike yellow, is a secondary color, an equal combination of two primaries, red and yellow. It can denote change, and stimulation... does anyone else remember when McDonalds first opened and decorated all in orange, hoping to stimulate people to eat faster and leave sooner? It truly was the colour of "fast" food. Orange, quite simply, gets noticed. It can get people thinking and talking. In feng shui decor planning, orange is used to help promote a vibrant home full of social conversation.
It is the color of what we love most in nature, from sunrise, when a new day dawns inspiring us with new hope, and the sunset, a peaceful time, a time of renewal. This is the "Magic Hour" to photographers and film crews, when light is its most interesting, changing with each minute. It is also the colour of leaves changing, a season where people follow to where the colours are the most vibrant, where change is most felt, and all is beautiful, and safe. We know what comes next and we fully embrace what is happening now.
It is also the colour of CREATIVITY. In events we generally use orange sparingly, as it is not a colour that creates comfort for everyone. It is easy to talk about "red hot" or "icy blue" but orange has to be woven into themes... "autumn" "maple" "fiery" are words that denote warmth, coziness and energy, all appropriate. Touches appear in light, in floral and even dried elements, and fresh and energizing citrus. It may even be in live goldfish (babied through the event and sent to good homes following) or an interpretation of goldfish in incomparable shortbread... For those of you who may have joined us last summer at MPI, orange was interspersed throughout with pink, the hot colours celebrating a vibrant summer and perfect for the energy beginning this meeting.
Orange, unlike yellow, is a secondary color, an equal combination of two primaries, red and yellow. It can denote change, and stimulation... does anyone else remember when McDonalds first opened and decorated all in orange, hoping to stimulate people to eat faster and leave sooner? It truly was the colour of "fast" food. Orange, quite simply, gets noticed. It can get people thinking and talking. In feng shui decor planning, orange is used to help promote a vibrant home full of social conversation.
It is the color of what we love most in nature, from sunrise, when a new day dawns inspiring us with new hope, and the sunset, a peaceful time, a time of renewal. This is the "Magic Hour" to photographers and film crews, when light is its most interesting, changing with each minute. It is also the colour of leaves changing, a season where people follow to where the colours are the most vibrant, where change is most felt, and all is beautiful, and safe. We know what comes next and we fully embrace what is happening now.
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| Nick and Julia near San Diego - Spring 2009 |
It is also the colour of CREATIVITY. In events we generally use orange sparingly, as it is not a colour that creates comfort for everyone. It is easy to talk about "red hot" or "icy blue" but orange has to be woven into themes... "autumn" "maple" "fiery" are words that denote warmth, coziness and energy, all appropriate. Touches appear in light, in floral and even dried elements, and fresh and energizing citrus. It may even be in live goldfish (babied through the event and sent to good homes following) or an interpretation of goldfish in incomparable shortbread... For those of you who may have joined us last summer at MPI, orange was interspersed throughout with pink, the hot colours celebrating a vibrant summer and perfect for the energy beginning this meeting.
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| The MPI WEC 2010 Welcome Reception on the stunning Vancouver Convention Centre Terrace, where Mother Nature weaves a vine, captured by Brian Dennehy |
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| In a word, yum, shortbread biscuit, blackberry sorbet, basil gelee and rich light mousse - Four Seasons Whistler outdid themselves... they also made the best lavender creme brulee I will be lucky enough to ever enjoy! How do you feel about orange? |
Monday, January 3, 2011
Colouring Events
I have always loved the power of colour, its ability to change mood and emotion - whether it is in nature (as in a grey day vs the mood of a city on a sunny, blue day, winter or summer) or in fashion (the former hairdresser in me) or in events. With a lifelong fascination for colour, warm and cool, primary, secondary, tertiary, how colours can calm or energize, refine, define and impact. I love how the Colour Institute decides two years ahead of consumers what colours will be available from cars, to paint, to fabric and more; how our chakras are defined by colour; how our retinas work to process it, the differences between RGB and CMYK when developing video / web applications vs print or painting... yes, I am a colour nerd.
I am also definitely an event nerd - learning, teaching and doing events is important to me - I can't imagine doing anything else now. There are so many facets to events - destination, venue, goals, intent, stakeholders, c-level requirements, programming, logistics, transportation, appropriate activities that all have to be in place, but what often is the tipping point - from a proposal perspective for sure - is the "creative components". The first step is always for us to see what the organization who has made the request is all about - what is their brand, their culture - what COLOUR are they? When will it make sense to use their brand colours in creating an event and when do we use colour to create a mood - "Red Hot Canada" or a magical violet and blue "Ice Palace" or a dark and mysterious "Matrix"... or how can colour create transition as in the "Avatar" event that would take the group from a sterile white lab, to a magical amber and green forest with a finale at a fiery dance party (some obvious liberties taken!) - from invitation to entrance, lighting to linen, floral to costuming - putting together each component to make a cohesive whole that makes sense, that has impact and that is memorable - well doing this definitely makes me a #3 - drawing unique lines and selecting colors energetically!
It can be as simple as above - "when life gives you lemons", or as complex as your imagination will allow. I am excited about the colour palettes (textures, environments and energies) we will see created in 2011!
I am also definitely an event nerd - learning, teaching and doing events is important to me - I can't imagine doing anything else now. There are so many facets to events - destination, venue, goals, intent, stakeholders, c-level requirements, programming, logistics, transportation, appropriate activities that all have to be in place, but what often is the tipping point - from a proposal perspective for sure - is the "creative components". The first step is always for us to see what the organization who has made the request is all about - what is their brand, their culture - what COLOUR are they? When will it make sense to use their brand colours in creating an event and when do we use colour to create a mood - "Red Hot Canada" or a magical violet and blue "Ice Palace" or a dark and mysterious "Matrix"... or how can colour create transition as in the "Avatar" event that would take the group from a sterile white lab, to a magical amber and green forest with a finale at a fiery dance party (some obvious liberties taken!) - from invitation to entrance, lighting to linen, floral to costuming - putting together each component to make a cohesive whole that makes sense, that has impact and that is memorable - well doing this definitely makes me a #3 - drawing unique lines and selecting colors energetically!
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| Fantastic event photos by the incomparable Brian Dennehy |
It can be as simple as above - "when life gives you lemons", or as complex as your imagination will allow. I am excited about the colour palettes (textures, environments and energies) we will see created in 2011!
Colouring
This year my son started late french immersion. It seems that so far much of his homework has involved what the teacher calls "art" and what appears to the uneducated parent mind to be - colouring. Since this is grade six, we are surprised by the sheer amount of "art" that is used to help them learn a language. We are also always amazed at their ability to take a thought, draw a truly well done and representative picture and to have more tools to express their ideas.
Using art to create environments is an awesome talent to share - below is a wall garden painted by a young artist, Chelsea Knutson when she was just 14, for our daughter.
It has also made me think about colour and expression. In the creative fields there is always the question - Do you
Using art to create environments is an awesome talent to share - below is a wall garden painted by a young artist, Chelsea Knutson when she was just 14, for our daughter.
It has also made me think about colour and expression. In the creative fields there is always the question - Do you
- Colour inside the lines?
- Colour outside the lines?
- Draw your own lines and choose your own colours?
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