Happy 140th Birthday, Mondrian!
March 7th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
March 7, 2012
“Art is not made for anybody and is, at the same time, for everybody.”-Piet Mondrian
Back in 2010 I wrote a blog about Mondrian. At that time there seemed to be a resurgence of products that were inspired by his wonderfully expressive art. Today is the 140th birthday of Piet Mondrian and one that I think is worth celebrating.
Here is an excerpt of what I feel to be the reason behind our attraction to Mondrian.
We are drawn to the simplicity of the primary palette because it taps into our inner child. The basic shapes and colors together are pleasing without being overly complex.
Happy 140th Birthday, Piet Mondrian!.
Like this:
What Colors Will Make Me Look Sexy?
March 1st, 2012 § Leave a Comment
March 1, 2012
I wrote in a previous post about a woman’s response to men in red shirts titled Why He’s So Hot where I noted that “Red is a very expressive colour, ” adding that it represents passion, love and sex. Plus, wearing this sensual hue can add a subtle flush to skin tone.”
Today, in the Huffington Post there is an article about women in red titled Red Dress Effect where they share a study out of the University of Rochester in New York state that says “Red dresses muddle men’s minds….” Color studies always fascinate me and this one got me thinking about a question I was asked many years ago, “What colors will make me look sexy?”
Below is my response from The Color Answer Book.
What one person finds appealing, another may not. However, the color that shows up most frequently on color word association tests as the sexiest shade is a vibrant Lipstick Red. It’s a sexual signal that many animals and birds use to attract the opposite sex and, interestingly, humans do as well. They flush and blush, turning red with embarrassment or sexual energy. They use cosmetic enhancements like reddish lips, nails (fingers and toes), and cheeks.
It is the color that most represents sensuality in many cultures as it is often used symbolically to broadcast availability or preparation for marriage and mating rites. The use of red as a sexual signal by primitive tribes for body painting and dyes ultimately translated to a more sophisticated use of sensuous red in modern day makeup and clothing.
Do you wear red to entice the opposite sex? Does wearing red make you feel empowered?
For more on the psychology of color you might be interested in Color: Messages and Meanings.
Red Dress Effect: Women In Red Deemed Open To Sexual Advances, Study Of Men Shows.
Red: The Emblem Of Social Responsibility
November 2nd, 2011 § Leave a Comment
November 2, 2011
I was asked to speak at a conference on the color Red. I think you might enjoy this event— there are quite a few speakers each bringing their own perspective to the color. In my presentation Keith Recker and I will be sharing excerpts and images of the color RED throughout the 20th Century from the new book Pantone® The 20th Century in Color. I hope to see you there.
From Dior to Valentino, from Yves Saint Laurent to Lanvin, red is an expression of joy, of jubilation, of passion. In the hands of others it is—among many other things—the color of authority, of courage, and of liturgy. It is also a pre-eminent color of body ornament: red lipstick and nail polish are never out of style.
The 13th Annual New York Fashion Conference, RED, will explore the innumerable facets of this color without peer. We will consider the history of this color, and that of the materials from which it has been derived, as well as its symbolism, both as a color in and of itself and integral to patterns such as paisley and tartan. Vintage is a lens through we study this vibrant hue and the important roles it has played at all times and in all cultures; we trace these roles as well as their evolution over time. Not least, we explore the legacies of Diana Vreeland and others, for whom red was not just a color, but a signature.
What’s Inside: Play-Doh
October 10th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
October 10, 2011
Patrick Di Justo from Wired Magazine shares some insight into a child’s toy box staple, Play-Doh. We thought it worthy of sharing especially because it mentions one of our favorite subjects and of course, that would be color.
Di Justo writes: “When introduced in 1956, Play-Doh came only in off-white. Red, blue and yellow were added in the next year, and a rainbow of other hues followed. Now it’s available in 43 colors, and all of them meet the American Society for Testing and Materials standard for nontoxicity.”
Colorfully Creepy
August 19th, 2011 § 2 Comments
August 19, 2011
I know this isn’t the typical color story that we like to share but it was so visually interesting that we thought it just might work. I always thought of ants as more of a nuisance rather than backyard entertainment but Mohamed Babu has found a way to change that perception. Babu found if you have some sugar, food coloring, paraffin wax and a quick hand you have the opportunity to turn an ant swarm into an art form (of sorts).
I wonder if the ants had negative reactions to the red food coloring?
The ants whose multi-coloured abdomens show exactly what they’ve been eating | Mail Online.
Colorful Kitchen
July 5th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
July 5, 2011
Rolando Barrera traveled from Mexico two years ago to participate in our Color/Design program here on Bainbridge Island. He had an interest in learning more about the psychology of color, effective color combinations and how the use of color could have a positive influence on his customers when they visited his beautiful kitchen-centered showroom.
He sent us some wonderful examples of how his showroom has depicted both mood and style with the artful use of color.
Rolando told us that the concept for choosing the colors was to use some “cheerful” and “delicious” colors like tomato, lime and citrus. But he also integrated “our Mother Earth” by using warm browns and grays. In particular, he felt that the use of teak and a pristine white depicted “heaven and earth”.
His goal, in his own words: “The ideas of the colors of this showroom is to immerse our customers and visitors in different ambients of color and see which kitchen they like the most”. He feels that “happiness” is a main component and that “color really sells”.
We respond to these handsome images and shared thoughts with a big Bravo to Rolando!
Food coloring: Do synthetic food colors cause hyperactivity?
January 3rd, 2011 § 2 Comments
January 3, 2011
We here at the eiseman color blog are very interested in all things related to color. Over the weekend, we found this story about food coloring that was fascinating. Lee has been sharing the ideas of Ben Feingold with her classes for years.
Years ago I heard that Red dye No5 was the worst (extreme word for effect) thing and it should be avoided at all cost. Then this weekend we picked up a book by Michael Pollen called Food Rules that shares some simple thoughts on food like not eating cereal that turns the milk colors. I like it, simple to understand.
The children will not be pleased with this one. Consider this informative color tidbit food for thought.
Click the link for more.
Food coloring: Do synthetic food colors cause hyperactivity? – chicagotribune.com.
Why He’s So Hot
November 29th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
November 29, 2010
Best Health
Why He’s So Hot
One reason: He’s in a red shirt
Lisa Hannam
There’s actually a scientific reason why you suddenly feel the urge to hug your guy whenever you see him in a red shirt. According to some new research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, if a man is wearing a red shirt, women are more likely to be attracted to him, to find him more handsome and to believe him to be more successful than if he were wearing white, grey, blue or green.
The research, which involved women in the United States, England, Germany and China, compared women’s perceptions of men (their looks, sexual attraction and social status) and found that red made the most impact on the ladies.
Lee’s take on this research…”Red is a very expressive colour, ” adding that it represents passion, love and sex. Plus, wearing this sensual hue can add a subtle flush to skin tone.
I wonder if that is why mom got caught kissing Santa Claus?!!!
November 2010
November 1st, 2010 § Leave a Comment
November 5, 2010
One of our favorite sites to follow is whiteblackred.com. The site features as you may have guessed is art and all things interesting that are white, black and red. On Lee’s recent trip to Paris she found some lovely housewares that are white, black and red that we would like to share.
When it isn’t just black and white.
How about a little sugar cube?
Subconscious stimulation…sleep on that.
If this has wet your whistle please stop by whiteblackred.com for more
Enjoy!!
I am not sure who makes two of the lovely items shown above. If you know please share.
November 1, 2010
One of the few places I have never traveled to, but is definitely on my list now, is Curacao. It’s been called the “Treasure of the Caribbean” and some recent phtotos in the American Airlines Magazine “American Way” shows it as a very colorful place indeed. As if the turquoise waters lapping up on an isolated beach were not enough, my eyes were riveted by the colors on the exterior of the buildings.
With the cool weather coming upon us, Curacao looks very tempting. But if you can’t join us there (whenever that might be) perhaps you would like a respite in California at the end of January. We will be going back to Burbank for the second year now to do the three and a half day Color/Design class. We do manage to have some fun, but we are there primarily to learn, observe, participate in and absorb the ever-fascinating subject of color in its many applications.
