Hi Cate! What a pleasure reading what you wrote about my Blue show and the joys of blue. From the opening sentence ("On sunny fall days, the red and yellow leaves against the blue sky open a chute of joy in my body.") I knew I was in for a treat. I'm glad you feel about blue the way I do, and apparently so many other people as well! One of the first paintings I found and chose for the show is a large abstract called Blue Joy by Michael Robbins (on the left wall inside the center "nook" with the text and quilt etc.)-I loved the painting and the title. Your writing is beautiful and evocative of so much that I feel as well. thank you for all of it.
Thank you, Martha! It was such fun to see the show and really think about blue and what it means to me. I'm so glad you organized it, and brought your vision and aesthetic to the Somerville Museum.
“Indeed, blue may be the best color at simultaneously holding shadow and light” this reminds me of The Blue Hour, that magic time of day that holds both shadow and light. If you want to read more about the origins of blue pigments and chemistry the beautiful book Sun Gardens The Cyanotypes of Anna Atkins has richly researched writings on the subject as well as a beautiful book of her prints, life and context of her working in the medium. It’s out of print I believe but libraries may have a copy. Published by New York Public Library. BTW Anna Atkins and Emily Dickinson lived in roughly the same period!
I hadn't thought of cyanotypes, which of course are records or imprints of light! I am familiar with Anna Atkins, but I don't know Sun Gardens. And the blue hour, so beautiful. Thanks, Susan!
Loved reading this. My whole studio echos with blue, so your words resonated well. And Emily Dickinson! Her thoughts are so much deeper than she is given credit for. Perfect addition to your own words.
And a sidenote, have you seen that Manifest Gallery is planning an exhibition "Blue" to open in March?
Reading this reminded me of how alive I am inside. Blue like water fills me, it's my favorite color. I have a very difficult time not putting it in my paintings!
Thanks for this. Blue is my favorite color. I keep trying to put it in my paintings. It affects me spiritually and emotionally. Comforting yet mysterious
Thanks, Gerry. Yes, comforting and mysterious. What an unlikely combination. I love it when blue shows up in your paintings – it's such a counterpoint to much of the other action.
Wow, I learned so much reading this!
I'm glad, Leslie. I learned a lot writing it!
Exquisite!!!!!
Thanks so much, Jill!
Such a riotous sensual delight! You are truly an imaginative and gifted writer.
Thank you, Trish. I am having such fun!
Hi Cate! What a pleasure reading what you wrote about my Blue show and the joys of blue. From the opening sentence ("On sunny fall days, the red and yellow leaves against the blue sky open a chute of joy in my body.") I knew I was in for a treat. I'm glad you feel about blue the way I do, and apparently so many other people as well! One of the first paintings I found and chose for the show is a large abstract called Blue Joy by Michael Robbins (on the left wall inside the center "nook" with the text and quilt etc.)-I loved the painting and the title. Your writing is beautiful and evocative of so much that I feel as well. thank you for all of it.
Thank you, Martha! It was such fun to see the show and really think about blue and what it means to me. I'm so glad you organized it, and brought your vision and aesthetic to the Somerville Museum.
“Indeed, blue may be the best color at simultaneously holding shadow and light” this reminds me of The Blue Hour, that magic time of day that holds both shadow and light. If you want to read more about the origins of blue pigments and chemistry the beautiful book Sun Gardens The Cyanotypes of Anna Atkins has richly researched writings on the subject as well as a beautiful book of her prints, life and context of her working in the medium. It’s out of print I believe but libraries may have a copy. Published by New York Public Library. BTW Anna Atkins and Emily Dickinson lived in roughly the same period!
I hadn't thought of cyanotypes, which of course are records or imprints of light! I am familiar with Anna Atkins, but I don't know Sun Gardens. And the blue hour, so beautiful. Thanks, Susan!
Loved reading this. My whole studio echos with blue, so your words resonated well. And Emily Dickinson! Her thoughts are so much deeper than she is given credit for. Perfect addition to your own words.
And a sidenote, have you seen that Manifest Gallery is planning an exhibition "Blue" to open in March?
I did know about Manifest Gallery's blue show, Heather. I'll have to look into that.
Reading this reminded me of how alive I am inside. Blue like water fills me, it's my favorite color. I have a very difficult time not putting it in my paintings!
I guess that's what we aim to do as artists – to remind people of how alive they are inside. Thank you, Barbara.
Thanks for this. Blue is my favorite color. I keep trying to put it in my paintings. It affects me spiritually and emotionally. Comforting yet mysterious
Thanks, Gerry. Yes, comforting and mysterious. What an unlikely combination. I love it when blue shows up in your paintings – it's such a counterpoint to much of the other action.
For Emily I always swoon--
This one to me is new--
Now ruddy has become a blue--
All thanks be to you.
Thanks, Freddie! Larry sent me two blue Emily poems. Here's the other:
My river runs to thee:
Blue sea, wilt welcome me?
My river waits reply.
Oh sea, look graciously!
I'll fetch thee brooks
From spotted nooks,—
Say, sea,
Take me!