Content and Color

Fresh Start February

Janis Commentz

Feb 10, 2024

M I N D B O D Y S O U L S P I R I T

IN THIS LETTER:

Make every moment meaningful

More about color

Five favorites in Paris

Fresh start February! I began my first Substack post with encouragement.

I want this to be a breath of fresh air and a word of encouragement. I want to come along side you with some practical tips and good things I am discovering every day…I will focus on Mind / Body / Soul / Spirit – all of which really are bundled into the wonderful YOU!

During January, we are eager to make every moment meaningful. My 2024 vow to keep my calendar a bit more clear, to meditate, to remember how important every aspect of our lives can be—is helping me navigate around the busyness.

I urge you to enjoy a pause and create a time for Constructive Rest. Yes, savor a cup of coffee or tea; take time to smell the roses—or winter blooming narcissi. Even if you are in a bustling work-a-day world, take a break at lunch: enjoy a quiet pause away from colleagues, turn off screens, enjoy an outdoor walk, close your eyes (in a safe place) and breathe, read poetry or a chapter in a book, just be for a bit.

Yesterday, we awoke to a desert dusting of snow - a jolt of intense, brilliant white!

Color is all around us The psychology of color is powerful! If I hear a beguiling color name - I must see it for myself. Recently, I read of Eau de Nil (Water of the Nile) in Frances Mayes’ Women in Sunlight. A soft sea-green tint. Be enchanted by color!

In a previous blog, I wrote about color systems, and I shared my favorite acrylic paint colors. But let’s talk a little about color. How much do you know? I often find many people have questions about the very things I assume everyone knows.
Very simply – from the 3 Primary colors, all colors can be mixed (theoretically)

red blue yellow

The Secondary colors and blends of the primary

· red + blue = purple

· blue + yellow = green

· red + yellow = orange

From there, it’s like cooking!

Color Glossary

hue - refers to the name of a color (e.g., red, blue, yellow, orange).

intensity - also called chroma or saturation. It refers to the brightness of a color (a color is full in intensity only when pure and unmixed). Color intensity can be changed by adding black, white, gray, or an opposite color on the color wheel.

tint - color lightened with white added to it.

tone - color shaded or darkened with gray (black plus white).

value - lightness or darkness of a hue or neutral color. A value scale shows the range of values from black to white.

Mixing colors is where the magic happens! Once you know how various colors combine, you can play by mixing new shades, tints and tones. I urge you to create a page where you note what colors you are mixing. Here are some examples of playful color blending. If you do not have acrylic paint, buy or find a child’s set of Prang watercolors. I encourage you to just play with the colors.

Colors on the opposite sides of the color wheel are called complementary. This combination often provides an attractive combination. Be aware that if you mix the two complementary colors such as red and green, purple and yellow or blue and orange – you will get a mud or brown shade. I urge painters to mix their own browns, grays and tans – controlling the hue – and learning about paint!

Mixing greens

Brown from orange and blue - complementary colors

Study what colors I have combined in these paintings.

Cherry Tomatoes (30"x30"), Joshua Tree Sunrise (22"x18"), Joshua Tree Path (6"x6")

These three painting (by me and all sold) combine complementary shades of yellows and blues for the punch!
Five favorites in Paris Travel anyone? Even if your travel plans are from your armchair, it’s fun to dream. I have traveled throughout central France near the Caves of Lascaux and throughout Brittany. This year I’m sticking to Paris, but I will wait until after the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. If you find yourself in the City of Light, I encourage you to:

Take a sunset walk around the grounds of the Louvre

Musicians, view of the Pyramid, looking back toward the Institute de France and through the windows of the inner gates on the north side - all free at sunset!

Walk across the Seine to the Institut de France Actually most of the lovely bridges (ponts) treat you to a beautiful view of the Seine River. To learn more: Knowing Paris by Its Bridges - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Visit the Jardin du Luxembourg - Don’t miss the Medici Fountain or the Luxembourg Palace which has been home to the Senat since its establishment in 1958. On a lovely Saturday in September, during the Journées européennes du patrimoine or European Heritage Days, I was visited the Luxembourg Palace or Senat building for free! What an experience.

Visiting the Medici Palace, now the Senat, open for free one weekend a year!

Visit the American Church in Paris – I have found this a haven in a crowded city. Review the concert schedule and stay for after church coffee. The AMP should really be called the international church - over 30 different nationalities are represented at this English speaking congregation - visitors welcome!

American Church in Paris located on the Seine River

A visit to Paris is not complete without seeing the Palais-Royal, built in the 17th century for Cardinal Richelieu. One can see the famed Le Grand Vefour (It has seen many decades of famous guests, from Napoleon Bonaparte to George Sand. Ask to be seated at Victor Hugo’s table!) and dine at Cafe Nemours across the street from the Louvre. A friend, now a grandmother to adults, takes each young relative to Le Grand Vefour once during their lifetime! Notice the entrance to Palais-Royal Musee du Louvre Metro at Place Colette, decorated with fanciful glass beads and aluminum by artist Jean-Michel Othoniel. Located within the inner courtyard of the Palais-Royal, is the iconic striped contemporary art installation, Colonnes de (Daniel) Buren, built in 1985. I chatted with art students sketching the architecture.