Inspired by...The Challenge of Color

"Color has taken possession of me; no longer do I have to chase after it. I know that it has hold of me forever... Color and I are one."
~Paul Klee, painter

I have been remiss in keeping up with my monthly 'Inspired by...' challenges and since this is the start of a new month, I thought it would be fun to start one up again. You can look at some of the previous 'Inspired by...' challenges by clicking on the links to the right as well as looking at what we have created in the Flickr group that I started.

I did a little post over on the Art Bead Scene blog the other day as a way to get some feedback. Sounds like most everyone is in agreement that a challenge or blog hop or even a contest that is judged really gets the creative juices going.

I also heard that doing these for the challenge itself is often reward enough. That is good to know, but I do hear that having a little something-something to sweeten the pot is a nice incentive. Duly noted.

For me the best part about challenges is that it does just that... it challenges me. I have entered a cornucopia of contests, submitted oodles of ideas for publications, participated in blog hops... all for the same reason. It doesn't matter to me if I win or even place {and often I don't do either}. The most important part is that I show up. Because I can't learn anything new unless I try.

If you are like me, you gravitate toward the same color palette all the time. And there is likely a hue or shade of color that is a challenge to you. This year I set out to design in color. It felt strange to use brights when for so long I would stick to a muted, almost grunge-y and earthy palette. But it was fun. And now I am not afraid to mix brights into my palette. It has been freeing.

I have been known to loiter in the paint section of any hardware store. I love to envision what my rooms would look like if I were to take the plunge and paint the walls russet, or plum, or china blue. I am always picking up paint chips {and one line has these transparent room cards that allow you to put the wall color behind and see what it might look like. Cool!}. I am smitten by the names they come up with... like the soft butter yellow called 'Sophie's Quilt' or the deep denim blue named 'Himalayan Eyes.' {How do you get a job like writing paint chip color names? If your name is Sherwin Williams, I would be very good at that and would love to chat with you. ;-}

I even picked up a Valspar Color Now booklet that cost me a whopping $1.49. It has some great ideas on color theory. These people are paid to come up with great color combinations, why not let them work for me?

So I would like to propose a series of challenges called 'Inspired by...The Challenge of Color.' {If this goes over well, I have other ones in mind...} Who's with me?

Here is how it will work:

1::Choose a color family to work with (i.e., blue, green, brown, etc.). It can be something that you feel safe with... or pick a palette that is challenging for you. ;-)

2::Email your name, address, and color family to enjoytheday{at}tesoritrovati{dot}com with the subject line Paint Chip Challenge. If you have a blog, include that link, too. {Email must be received by Friday, November 5th.}

3::I will mail a paint chip palette chosen just for you. {If you live outside of the US, I would still love to have you play, but I will email you a scanned color palette instead in the interest of time.}

3::You will create jewelry using your paint chip in any percentage of color that you like from the chip. Bonus points if you can use all the colors provided!

4::Select a name from your palette for your piece.

6::Blog Hop on Friday, December 3rd about your color palette and creative process. Be sure to show the paint palette you receive!

I know that not everyone has a blog, but I still want you to play! If you don't have a blog, email me anyway and take advantage of uploading your creation to the Flickr group with full information in the description. From that I will include you in my post for that day. {And if you choose the Flickr option, please have your piece uploaded by November 30th to ensure being included in my post for December 3rd}.

7::Random winner chosen from all entries in the blog hop on Friday, December 3rd. What will you win? Why beads, of course! I have an assortment of colorful beads {including art beads} and fibers that are just dyeing {get it?} to go home with a random winner. {I will post the goodies later this week.} If you are a bead artist and want in on the prize giving, shoot me an email and I will see if that can be arranged!

So, how about some chances to win?

• 1 entry for creating something and sharing it.
• 1 entry for using all the colors in your palette.
• 1 entry for naming your piece from the palette.
• 1 entry for participating in the blog hop and/or uploading to the Flickr site for December 3rd.
• 2 entries for the use of an ART BEAD {art bead is defined as a bead or component created by yourself or another artisan}, be sure to point that out in your description {with a link to the appropriate artisan’s website, shop or blog}.
• 1 entry for encouraging others to play along {be sure to leave me a note on this post so I know what you did!}
  

That's a total of 7 entries!

What are you waiting for? Let's get inspired by color together!

P.S. Looking for other inspiring challenges? Check out the Art Bead Scene monthly challenge, and the new Love My Art Jewelry November Call To Create in a wonderfully cozy winter color palette.

Enjoy the day!