Yellow lifts me! My affection for this color has only grown in the past years. If I paint a wall yellow - it feels like the sun is shining. If I add accents to a room that are yellow - it feels like little, golden lanterns are lighting up the space. How lucky are we to have this color at our fingertips!
ART - ‘Swedish Sunshine’
Swedish Artist, Anders Leonard Zorn, captured attention with his most amazing portraits. The height of his work came at the turn of the Century when he painted remarkable works that were in the Realism & Impressionist Styles. He was an international success, painting Kings, Queens, members of High Society, American Presidents and Nobility.
The above painting is titled: ‘Mrs. Walter Rathbone Bacon’, 1897, and done in oil. She is simply glowing… the feeling he achieves is delicate & precious, conveying the nature of his subject which is light & airy. It has a certain freedom which is achieved not only from his brushwork, but from the the warm & reflective nature of his color palette.
INTERIOR DESIGN - ‘Good Morning Sunshine’
Not only do I love yellow… but I love paint! Look at what it has the ability to do!! The kitchen on the left is just a tiny bit more ‘Traditional’, with the darker wood flooring and brass accenting. The space on the right is ‘Transitional’… blending a Vintage look with Stainless Steel, gray and marble features. Both are equally successful at using a sunny yellow to convey the feeling of an absolute sunny disposition. I don’t think you could be sad in these rooms. Yellow truly is magical!
FASHION - ‘Beaming & Beautiful Yellow’
These outfits rise to the occasion when it comes to adding spark & sunshine in our fashion world today. I love the first and center outfits… simply fresh, warm & radiant. The third one is a little bit over the edge for me… yet, it leans toward the fashion trend today of a focus on transparency. You’ll notice it all over the Runways for Spring 2024. Each of these sunny & vibrant outfits convey that feeling of energy & vitality!
Things I’m working on… MY ART - past & present…
This little Warbler is super sweet. So adorable, yet… contrary to their name, they do not ‘warble’… they ‘buzz, hiss, chip, rollick & zip’, as Ornithologists describe their sounds. They are part of the Passeriformes, or ‘perching birds’, that are a colorful species. I loved drawing this little one… just looking at them gives me a feeling of the Spring season!! This work is done in pastels & colored pencil on a surface of Clairefontaine Pastelmat.
With my every best wish…
This quote is by Marc Brackett, Ph.D., founding director of the Yale University, Center for Emotional Intelligence. The intent is wise… though seriously challenging to put into practice. In essence, it is telling me to slow down and contemplate my feelings. Once I do this, if I focus, I should be able to sort out a path forward. I have tried in one aspect of my life… I will share with you:
Sharing these personal revelations makes me vulnerable; yet, I want to be honest. Years ago, when I opened my Studio in Olmsted Falls, I was terribly excited to work on my Art, Design Projects and Eclectic elements related to the world of color. I worked really hard at making this come true, I tried everything possible to bring this to life. As time ticked by, I began shifting what I was doing so that I could appeal to a larger audience. I began to feel like I was running in circles - always a little frustrated… always thinking I needed to do more to create happiness for others. In doing this, I now see that I wasn’t really making anyone happy, I was just slowly walking away from my original goal of focusing on Art.
Currently, I am truly devoting as much time as possible to my illustrations. The more I accomplish, the happier it makes me and the more I want to do. I am hopeful to build a collection of my Art into a book which will be titled, ‘Pet Postbox’. [More on that at a later date.] This means changing my strategy at the Studio and possibly even kissing it goodbye. I have not one regret about my journey. It has introduced me to a new world of beloved friends that I treasure beyond words. It is only because I took the time to examine my feelings and contemplate what was truly important to me. I think Art helps me to be the person I was meant to be all along. I remain hopeful.
Wishing you the ability to understand all your feelings too! With love… Barbara
EMERALD & VIOLET STUDIO
Contact Barbara regarding ART or to Schedule a Class @ 216.310.0080