Peppermint, ink on Japanese paper; image size 10 x 10 in., paper size 18 x 18 in.
I guess I was feeling a little silly when I designed this image (and it was way before Christmas). I was wondering if I could make something work using these candy colors; I'm still wondering. The print has some technical issues––green bleeding into pink, the ink viscosity a little tacky, some of the lines not properly inked––but I accept those imperfections as part of the process, even as adding character. But is the color just too unserious?
Peppermint detail
To my readers: I've had to turn on word verification because of a recent high volume of spam; I'm sorry, but it helps.
I love the colors, just as themselves. Never mind the associations, they look great together, and the shapes are not candylike.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that, Susan. It's funny, but I almost like the image better here online than in person, I think because it's compressed.
DeleteI'm not a fan of deep "kelly" green and pink. I received a scarf recently that has pink butterflies scattered across this same green field. I doubtfully wore it Christmas day and received several compliments for it.
ReplyDeleteSo, I guess I'm not a good judge. My association with color like this is on some vintage 40's prints on old hankies that I own. Not at all relevant to your new prints, so please ignore my association.
It's hard to ignore associations like these, Cecelia. Sometimes they add richness to an artwork, sometimes they get in the way.
DeleteI like it, and I'm just seeing fields and lines of pure color. If the color connotations are uncomfortable, you could probably get a long way towards "turning them off" by removing or changing the title...?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it, Michael. I guess I have these conflicting impulses: toward seriousness on the one hand, and towards fun on the other; the title was pure fun, but then I worry I go too far.
DeleteI'm just coming back to this (you've gotten me thinking about color associations) and I'm laughing at myself for not noticing how this peppermint print is talking to the painting on the right of the page, Candy Stripes!
ReplyDeletehah, you're right Susan; this isn't the first time candy has been on my mind.
DeleteI love Susan's observation!
DeletePink and green are a favorite combination of mine - but certain greens and certain pinks don't appeal as much as others. I don't associate it with candy though, or Easter (yellow and purple do Easter, for me) - I have a number of quilts or embroidered textiles, antiques, which combine pink and green, so it is more a farm/craft palette choice in my associative mind. Which then brings to mind my dahlias... I like it. I like the combination of shapes and pattern in this too.
Interesting, Ravenna, that the colors bring to mind antique textiles; that wouldn't have occurred to me. I'm glad you like the print.
DeleteColor play is so important...using colors out of season or out of decade. These tones might be more appealing in the spring; they make me think of the 50s and I too see textiles. I also am fond of one color mingling with another, just for the mystery of it.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Altoon; may this year bring you much inspiration.
Thanks for the color thoughts and the New Year's wishes, Maggie; the best to you too.
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