The Challenge of Color

"The craving for colour is a natural necessity just as for water and fire. Colour is a raw material indispensable to life. At every era of his existence and his history, the human being has associated colour with his joys, his actions and his pleasures."

~ Frenand Leger, "On Monumentality and Color", 1943

Welcome to the first ever Challenge of Color blog hop! I am delighted that so many people want to play along. By now I have selected a color palette for my participants and either emailed it to them {if you live outside the US} or I have mailed it to the following participants:

Paige Maxim

Cynthia Riggs

Yelisa Rojas

Courtney Breul

Patty Gasparino

Nicole Keller

Shannon Chomanczuk

Brandi Hussey

Holly Westfall

Amy Freeland

Nicole Valentine

Judy Campbell

Karyn White

Emanda Johnson

Alice Peterson

Kelly Morgan

Lori Anderson

Marie Voyer-Cramp

Catherine Pruitt

Keirsten Giles

Cory Tompkins

Jeannie Dukic

Beth McCord

Janea McDonald

Rebecca Anderson

Mary McGraw

Jennifer Cameron

Kristie Roeder

Rita Parra

Renate Stark-Krammer

Cristi Clothier

Dale Meister
Cindy Wimmer

Stefanie Teufel
Claire Maunsell
Kristin Stevens
Lisalulujewels
Mallory Hoffman
Lisa Godfrey
Lisa Tracy
Sheila Summers
Cary Scholes

Please check the link to make sure it is correct {oh, I suppose it would have been nice of me to put this in alpha order...oops! This is in the order that I received your notice!}. And if your name is not highlighted it is because you don't have a blog {that's okay! I will post your pictures in mine...but you have to send them to me by 11/30!} or I may not have found one for you. Email me or leave a comment to let me know if there are any changes. If you wrote a comment on the original post but your name is not here, it is because I need you to email me your color choice and address - do it quick if you still want to participate! I am trying to keep this all straight in a spreadsheet {which, if you knew me well would be a hilarious proposition!}.

Isn't this palette pretty? No, you can't change your mind, this one is taken. You're welcome, Marie! ;-)

I did my best in matching up colors that you selected so that at least one of the colors you asked for was on the card. And if you asked for more than one I did my best to honor as much as I could. The unknown is part of the fun {that's why it is called a challenge}. In most cases, the paint chip palette that you received was selected for you alone, and is not repeated.{I think there might be a few out there inadvertently with the same palette and I apologize for that.} I should have added a column in my spreadsheet to put the colors in...doh! If you want to add or subtract any colors, that is fine. This is completely flexible.

Basically, the biggest rule of this blog hop is to challenge yourself and have fun. I hope you make new friends along the way and get inspired. Up to now I didn't know half of you and I am just tickled that we will be able to spend some fun time together. And we have participants from all across the US (ME, PA, CT, MD, NY, TX, CA, KS, OH, MT, MN, FL, AZ, IN, OR, VA) and from across the globe (Canada, Australia, England, Germany, Korea). That is the coolest thing.

I was asked if it is okay to blog about it already. Of course! While it is fun to hop around and make new friends, it is equally cool to bring our respective followers along for the ride. Just save your big reveal for Friday, December 3rd.

I am delighted to announce that we have a bead artist among us who has offered a very generous prize to sweeten the pot. Remember that I said that after the blog hop I will select a random winner of the participants for some colorful beads from my stash {I am still selecting them...maybe that will be part of the surprise!}, well Jeannie Dukic of Jewelry By Jeannie http://www.jkdjewelry.com/ makes some incredible clay components. She has generously donated the following pieces...



Aren't these just the awesome-ist?

If you know someone who may still want to participate, have them hop on over to this post to read the background. I can still send out color palettes, but the paint departments in town might be starting to look at me funny! ;-)

Are you excited or nervous about the paint chip palettes I have sent you?
Are you be willing to be open to the challenge and see where it takes you?
What do you hope to gain from participating in this color challenge?

Do tell!

P.S. For a fun little color personality quiz, check it out on Dutch Boy paints! {Thanks, Karyn, for the suggestion of visiting the paint company website!}

Enjoy the day!

The Challenge of Color

"The craving for colour is a natural necessity just as for water and fire. Colour is a raw material indispensable to life. At every era of his existence and his history, the human being has associated colour with his joys, his actions and his pleasures."

~ Frenand Leger, "On Monumentality and Color", 1943

Welcome to the first ever Challenge of Color blog hop! I am delighted that so many people want to play along. By now I have selected a color palette for my participants and either emailed it to them {if you live outside the US} or I have mailed it to the following participants:

Paige Maxim

Cynthia Riggs

Yelisa Rojas

Courtney Breul

Patty Gasparino

Nicole Keller

Shannon Chomanczuk

Brandi Hussey

Holly Westfall

Amy Freeland

Nicole Valentine

Judy Campbell

Karyn White

Emanda Johnson

Alice Peterson

Kelly Morgan

Lori Anderson

Marie Voyer-Cramp

Catherine Pruitt

Keirsten Giles

Cory Tompkins

Jeannie Dukic

Beth McCord

Janea McDonald

Rebecca Anderson

Mary McGraw

Jennifer Cameron

Kristie Roeder

Rita Parra

Renate Stark-Krammer

Cristi Clothier

Dale Meister
Cindy Wimmer

Stefanie Teufel
Claire Maunsell
Kristin Stevens
Lisalulujewels
Mallory Hoffman
Lisa Godfrey
Lisa Tracy
Sheila Summers
Cary Scholes

Please check the link to make sure it is correct {oh, I suppose it would have been nice of me to put this in alpha order...oops! This is in the order that I received your notice!}. And if your name is not highlighted it is because you don't have a blog {that's okay! I will post your pictures in mine...but you have to send them to me by 11/30!} or I may not have found one for you. Email me or leave a comment to let me know if there are any changes. If you wrote a comment on the original post but your name is not here, it is because I need you to email me your color choice and address - do it quick if you still want to participate! I am trying to keep this all straight in a spreadsheet {which, if you knew me well would be a hilarious proposition!}.

Isn't this palette pretty? No, you can't change your mind, this one is taken. You're welcome, Marie! ;-)

I did my best in matching up colors that you selected so that at least one of the colors you asked for was on the card. And if you asked for more than one I did my best to honor as much as I could. The unknown is part of the fun {that's why it is called a challenge}. In most cases, the paint chip palette that you received was selected for you alone, and is not repeated.{I think there might be a few out there inadvertently with the same palette and I apologize for that.} I should have added a column in my spreadsheet to put the colors in...doh! If you want to add or subtract any colors, that is fine. This is completely flexible.

Basically, the biggest rule of this blog hop is to challenge yourself and have fun. I hope you make new friends along the way and get inspired. Up to now I didn't know half of you and I am just tickled that we will be able to spend some fun time together. And we have participants from all across the US (ME, PA, CT, MD, NY, TX, CA, KS, OH, MT, MN, FL, AZ, IN, OR, VA) and from across the globe (Canada, Australia, England, Germany, Korea). That is the coolest thing.

I was asked if it is okay to blog about it already. Of course! While it is fun to hop around and make new friends, it is equally cool to bring our respective followers along for the ride. Just save your big reveal for Friday, December 3rd.

I am delighted to announce that we have a bead artist among us who has offered a very generous prize to sweeten the pot. Remember that I said that after the blog hop I will select a random winner of the participants for some colorful beads from my stash {I am still selecting them...maybe that will be part of the surprise!}, well Jeannie Dukic of Jewelry By Jeannie http://www.jkdjewelry.com/ makes some incredible clay components. She has generously donated the following pieces...



Aren't these just the awesome-ist?

If you know someone who may still want to participate, have them hop on over to this post to read the background. I can still send out color palettes, but the paint departments in town might be starting to look at me funny! ;-)

Are you excited or nervous about the paint chip palettes I have sent you?
Are you be willing to be open to the challenge and see where it takes you?
What do you hope to gain from participating in this color challenge?

Do tell!

P.S. For a fun little color personality quiz, check it out on Dutch Boy paints! {Thanks, Karyn, for the suggestion of visiting the paint company website!}

Enjoy the day!

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!

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!

Gallery Q Exhibit Opens TONIGHT!

'Black White Red Monoprint' from Roberta Lane and Julsbeads - yummy!

Wish you all were here.

No, really. I wish you were.

I can see clearly now with 'After the Storm' by Ann Waisbrot

You have all been so excited for me and supportive that I can't help but feel giddy. And blessed. Truly, deeply blessed by your friendship. Because I have the BEST followers on the planet! Plus those of you who do this too would totally understand the blood, sweat and more than a few tears that went into all of this. I can sigh with relief, but that is really just taking a deep breath for the next big thing.

Twisting, twirling pen and ink by MaryEllen Pollock and the beads by Dora Schubert

I rushed over yesterday and took some really {craptastic} photos of the displays. These will at least give you an idea of the lay of the land.

'Safekeeping' by Ellie Honl flanked by Lola and Bessie standing guard of all things precious

I was really surprised {and pleased} that I could take up more than just one window. I have almost the entire front half of the gallery. {Squee!}

The window grabs 'em and beckons them in with 'Loose Goose' by Brenda Wenberg and Kerry Bogert's magnificent beads!

The Suzuki Institute is on campus here at the UW-Stevens Point this week and that is the reason that I already have ~$800++ in sales since Tuesday. One woman from Maine {Maine!} bought 8 pieces for sales of nearly $600. {That woman will be getting her own box of chocolates when I mail them to her at the close of the show!} I am hoping she comes back. And brings friends.

'Siljan Glade' by Ann Singsaas and the inspiration pieces (great flash photography!)

I will hopefully have more pictures of the event {if I can find someone willing to take them} that I can share with you next week.

'Bittersweet' by Ann Singsaas with vines climbing everywhere

But between my 2 hour massage this morning {thanks, Al!} and my hair appointment in about an hour, I felt the need to MAKE MORE JEWELRY. Unfortunately, I don't think there can ever been enough. {Don't worry, I only managed two very simple pieces. But I am bringing them with just in case. }

'Lookin' Good' by Brenda Wenberg and a colorful interpretation called 'It's a Riot'

Thanks for all your well wishes, your birthday shout outs and your deep appreciation for what I have done with this show. It means the world to me!

Tulips and butterflies with Ann Waisbrot and Jen Selwyn

If you could have a party in your honor, what would you serve?
Who would be there?
Where would you hold it?

Do tell!

That's me in the window with 'Red Ponies' by Ann Singsaas

Enjoy the day!

Gallery Q Exhibit Opens TONIGHT!

'Black White Red Monoprint' from Roberta Lane and Julsbeads - yummy!

Wish you all were here.

No, really. I wish you were.

I can see clearly now with 'After the Storm' by Ann Waisbrot

You have all been so excited for me and supportive that I can't help but feel giddy. And blessed. Truly, deeply blessed by your friendship. Because I have the BEST followers on the planet! Plus those of you who do this too would totally understand the blood, sweat and more than a few tears that went into all of this. I can sigh with relief, but that is really just taking a deep breath for the next big thing.

Twisting, twirling pen and ink by MaryEllen Pollock and the beads by Dora Schubert

I rushed over yesterday and took some really {craptastic} photos of the displays. These will at least give you an idea of the lay of the land.

'Safekeeping' by Ellie Honl flanked by Lola and Bessie standing guard of all things precious

I was really surprised {and pleased} that I could take up more than just one window. I have almost the entire front half of the gallery. {Squee!}

The window grabs 'em and beckons them in with 'Loose Goose' by Brenda Wenberg and Kerry Bogert's magnificent beads!

The Suzuki Institute is on campus here at the UW-Stevens Point this week and that is the reason that I already have ~$800++ in sales since Tuesday. One woman from Maine {Maine!} bought 8 pieces for sales of nearly $600. {That woman will be getting her own box of chocolates when I mail them to her at the close of the show!} I am hoping she comes back. And brings friends.

'Siljan Glade' by Ann Singsaas and the inspiration pieces (great flash photography!)

I will hopefully have more pictures of the event {if I can find someone willing to take them} that I can share with you next week.

'Bittersweet' by Ann Singsaas with vines climbing everywhere

But between my 2 hour massage this morning {thanks, Al!} and my hair appointment in about an hour, I felt the need to MAKE MORE JEWELRY. Unfortunately, I don't think there can ever been enough. {Don't worry, I only managed two very simple pieces. But I am bringing them with just in case. }

'Lookin' Good' by Brenda Wenberg and a colorful interpretation called 'It's a Riot'

Thanks for all your well wishes, your birthday shout outs and your deep appreciation for what I have done with this show. It means the world to me!

Tulips and butterflies with Ann Waisbrot and Jen Selwyn

If you could have a party in your honor, what would you serve?
Who would be there?
Where would you hold it?

Do tell!

That's me in the window with 'Red Ponies' by Ann Singsaas

Enjoy the day!

Inspired by...Fireworks...winner!

“You are born an artist or you are not. And you stay an artist, dear, even if your voice is less of a fireworks. The artist is always there.”
~Maria Callas

Sorry I am so lax in posting this. I got back from my trip to Houston late, late {or is it early, early} at 3:30 am on Wednesday. Still not quite recovered. But this artist is still here.

I realized today that I have yet to pick a winner for the Inspired by...Fireworks challenge for July. I didn't do a good job of publicizing this, but there were still three people who managed some inspiration.

The winner of the sparkly goodie package is Stefanies Sammelsurium. Rings are all the rage right now. Lorelei just did a great round up of rings. Nancy Schindler and Gaea Cannaday are making some awesome ones. Stefanie's ring with fabric and rivets and her very own glass bead is a winner in more ways than one! I know that Stefanie is from a land far, far away from me, but she is the winner nonetheless and I will be delighted to mail her package of crystal loveliness to her. Email me your address, Stefanie!


Check out her beautiful work at her blog .

I have been contemplating the continuation of the Inspired by... monthly challenges. I am for sure taking a break for August. Perhaps it is just timing, or maybe my expectations are just too high. I love the creative meanderings that I have seen entered, but I had hoped to inspire more. If you are one who has entered faithfully, I hope you don't feel slighted. Maybe I am the one that just needs a break.

So, I am asking for more feedback...totally voluntary, but will help me focus for the future.

Do you enjoy the Inspired by... challenges?

Would you like me to continue offering them? or is it just a distraction?

Are there themes that you would like to explore?

Do you like limiting it to just jewelry or would you like to see more diversity in items allowed?

There is no requirement to use art beads, just something I like to do. Would you like to see that option continued?

Have I inspired you in some other way?

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Like everyone, I love comments and will try hard to respond, if you have your email turned on in your profile. You are the reason that I do this, so I want to be sure that I am hitting the mark.

Enjoy the day!