'Sea Stars' has been hung in our bedroom - this dates from 2002 and my first experiments printing using the computer, combined with Thai silk 'wacky stars'. At that time I was using iron-on transfer sheets ( I soon moved onto Bubblejet set as I don't like the plasticy feel and the difficulty of hand stitching ) and I hadn't yet learnt about increasing colour saturation. That said I rather like the subdued blue-green, it's a colour I keep coming back to, being part of the colour palette of Greek Doors. I have so many photos and sketches of the infinite variations of peeling blue/green/turquoise paint, collected over several years and trips.
Also out of storage now are my travel sketch books including this watercolour from April 1998 on a Ramblers walking holiday in the Peloponnese. It was 15 minutes snatched during a coffee break in a village high in Taygetos mountains near Sparti before a walk down the Anavriti gorge with flowers everywhere. It's not my usual strength of colour - probably as it was near the start of the holiday and the pans were a bit dry ( and cold - there was snow around) 
I did the same trip with Ian in 2006 and I was delighted to find that the same crumbly set up of doors and stairs was still there and hadn't been restored as I feared. This time we walked up the Gorge at our own pace ( botanising is a slow process) with spectacular views and lots of orchids and had a Taverna lunch overlooking this gem. I didn't sketch it this time but looked for a long time absorbing the colours ( while stuffing myself with courgette fritters).I've driven by colour ( I'm afraid I tend to skimp on drawing ) and can 'carry' a colour in my head - a knack that a friend who shares it equates to having perfect pitch in music.
I wonder what you'd call it and how common it is?
7 comments:
I carry colours myself, and was delighted when I learned that this is how Howard Hodgkin works. He does not use sketchbooks, but gazes until he has memorised what he wants.
I have not personally met anyone else who does this. I never had any lessons with a colour wheel until quite late in my life and I found that it started messing with my existing relationship with colours. So I leave my brain to sort things out for itself now.
Poor you. I hope you're soon feeling much better.
Unfortunately I can't carry a colour in my head, wish I could. I have done a lot of work on colour mixing in painting but I'm probably a bit rusty at that too as I haven't painted much lately.
i hope you are feeling better.
your work is beautiful. i love the watery quality of sea stars.
i carry colors too but in no definite or constant state. it is a feeling or memory. i did have a lot of color training but it has had no effect whatsoever on what i see in my head.
I really like the sea star quilt - It's "that" blue green colour isn't it Mags - I think we could go as far as to call it a fetish. I do the colour pitch thing too and it never leaves my head. I still remember the perfect colour of tiles I found in the garden as a child. It's such an interesting thing as I didn't realise that other people don't hold colours - I just thought some folks didn't know how to look - fascinating.
Your sea star quilt is beautiful. I also have the ability to carry colors in my head. Like Helen Suzanne I can still remmember the color of some tiles from my childhood--a very distinct shade of turquoise that is currently back in style.
I haven't met many people who can do this, either.
Google 'dry socket' I had that once after an extraction and ended up on heavy dose painkillers for ages. I do hope this isn't what you have.
Nice work
Hate it for you on the tooth front.That's the only dream I ever qualify as nightmare...teeth grief.
I love the last photo..it's just waiting to come to fiberlife. Do you know the work of artquilter Elizabeth Barton?
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