Creative Challenge: Color Play

Continuing with the theme of creative inspiration, introduced in an earlier blog post, it might be fun to try an artistic exercise by means of a monthly challenge. This month, let's play with color by using our favorite paintings or photographs to set tonal palettes for our creations. I gave this method a try last fall during a hands-on lecture given by weaver Sarah Saulson (http://www.sarahsaulson.com/) who spoke at our local weavers' guild meeting. For one of Sarah's creative exercises, we were instructed to bring a picture that caught our eye for some reason; a painting or photograph that appealed to us in some way. We also brought an assortment of yarns in various colors to share as a group. Using our favorite pictures as visual inspiration, we chose yarn colors from the group stash and assembled "wraps" - wrapping yarn around a cardboard rectangle - that reflected the coloration and feel of our photos. The idea was to use the hues from our inspiration material to create in a different medium. The group results were wonderful! It was amazing how well those simple rainbows of yarn conveyed the essence of the paintings and photographs.

So for February, I'd like to challenge you all to try a version of the above exercise using whatever method of artistic expression you prefer. Select a photograph or painting that you find interesting or pleasing, then try to create an object (for example, a sewn article, piece of jewelry, paper craft, or glass work) that reflects the color and feel of that visual illustration. If it is helpful, start by isolating the major color themes of your photo selection by looking at a color wheel. Then collect materials for your project in those themes; if you are making jewelry, for example, round up all the beads in your color themes and put them in front of you before you begin. For a few examples to get you started, take a look at "Color Inspiration from the Masters of Painting" at http://www.colourlovers.com/blog/2007/06/20/color-inspiration-from-the-masters-of-painting/ Let your preconceptions fall away and let your imagination take the reins!

Once you have finished, report back to us by leaving a comment on this blog post with a link to a photo of your inspiration object next to your creation; or leave a comment with links to each of these items separately. If you have a blog, write about your experience and show us what you made. If there are enough responses, we'll write another blog post to share your work. Most of all, have fun and let the color adventure begin!

Now, let's do a little reverse engineering on this exercise and match a famous painting with a BBEST selection, trying to convey the ambiance of the masterpiece within the palette of each artisan's item.

 The subtle lavenders in Claude Monet's The Artist's Garden at Giverny are reflected in this Purple and Lavender Beaded Crochet Bib Necklace by Imaginuity.

The deep blues and glowing yellows of Van Gogh's Starry Night are captured in these Blue Glass Toasting Flutes from GlitznGlass.

 The pale sea greens and swirling waves of  Aivazovsky's The Tenth Wave are captured by this Ocean's Dance Artisan Lampwork, Crystal Bracelet by Ever So Dear.

Fragonard's The Reader displays themes of gold and umber as in this Yellow Brown Eyed Susan Flower Pendant by Zuda Gay.

O'Keefe's Red Canna inspires the reds and oranges in this hand dyed Vegetarian Silk from Sassa Lynne.

Feeling inspired? We hope so! We can't wait to see where your color explorations take you.