Pink Berry - Color A Day #63

Today’s color is Pink Berry.  Pink, with a touch of purple to keep it from being sickeningly sweet.

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Lavender Dream – Color A Day #62

I like the lavender/purple in this little mixed media piece I painted awhile ago.  It just feels like it’s supposed to be the color today.  Why?  I dunno.  Just feels right.  Lavender is such a dreamy color.  Fresh and young…perfect for spring.  Dream on.

Lavender Dream – Color A Day #62

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Color A Day #61 – Juicy Plum

I love a good, juicy plum.  Especially one that’s shaped like a heart.  My son devoured this one…juice dribbling down his chin.  Delicious.

Color A Day #61 – Juicy Plum

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Koi - Color A Day #60

Sometimes I wish I had a pond.  I would fill it with koi and water lilies.
Color A Day #60 is…Koi.

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A Nice Soft Yellow - Color A Day #59

Lily in the fountain, Mission San Juan Capistrano

No spark of inspiration today.  And I haven’t posted a color in a day or two, so I’m feeling the self-imposed pressure to come up with something.  As I think about it, I don’t often choose yellow for the Color A Day.  Why?  Hmmm.   I guess it’s just not a color I am drawn to.  But this is a lovely image, and a nice soft yellow.  And I’ve got nothing else….so this soft yellow will have to do for today.

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Color A Day #58 – Robin’s Egg Blue

Today’s color is Robin’s Egg Blue.  One of nature‘s loveliest colors, I think.

The first (of many) nests on furniture that I've painted and sold.

I’ve painted many a bird nest over the years…probably hundreds of them…on a variety of furniture pieces, stools, walls, and canvas.
In spite of the nest painting overload, they are still one of my favorite subjects.

Color A Day #58 – Robin’s Egg Blue

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Leprechaun - Color A Day #57

It’s St. Paddy’s day.  So what choice is there?  Today’s color is Leprechaun.

Do you see the little green man?

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Orchid White - Color A Day #56

Today’s color is Orchid White.  It’s inspired by the lovely orchid presently growing in my kitchen window.  For some reason, orchids seem to thrive in this spot,  apparently appreciating the morning light and close proximity to the sink.  Orchids are fascinating things.  Full of curious designs, and interesting colors.

Years ago I visited a beautiful orchid garden in Cuba, the “Orquideario de Soroa”, near Havana.  Lush gardens cover this huge park, located in the Sierra del Rosario, a world biosphere reserve.  The Orquideario features over 20,000 orchid plants.  It is well worth visiting if you are ever lucky enough to visit Cuba.  It is a gorgeous spot, and this article published in the Havana Journal says it well: http://havanajournal.com/travel/entry/soroa-cuba-orchids-mogotes-and-waterfalls-in-pinar-del-rio-cuba.

el orquideario (Photo credit: vladimix)

Image via Wikipedia

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Magic Hour Blue – Color A Day #55

My favorite time of day.   Just after sunset, from the deck of a boat.  The magic hour.   I love the color of the cloudy sky…light blue and gray, touched with pink/orange glow.   Breathtaking.
Color A Day #55 – Magic-Hour Blue

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Bougainvillea – Color A Day #54

I have always loved Bougainvillea.  Especially the bright “purple” variety.  Today I saw these blossoms beautifully highlighted in the sun, and had to capture them on “film”…OK, digitally on my iPhone.  I love the leafy, lacy blooms.

According to Wikipedia this beautiful, but thorny bush may have been “discovered by Jeanne Baré, Commerçon’s lover and assistant whom he snuck on board (despite regulations) disguised as a man (and who thus became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe).”   This interesting little tidbit comes via NPR’s All Things Considered,  from the book “A Female Explorer Discovered On The High Seas” by Glynis Ridley.   (http://www.npr.org/2010/12/26/132265308/a-female-explorer-discovered-on-the-high-seas) 

Our sailboat at anchor in Mexico, framed by Bougainvillea.

I have spent a good deal of time on the water, at least partially circling the globe on a sailboat.  On my travels in Central America I found my eye always drawn to the ubiquitous Bougainvillea.  I understand why Jeanne Bare may have done the same long ago.  Great story, lovely flower, beautiful color.

Color A Day #54 – Bougainvillea

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Living Viridian – Color A Day #53

I love this image…and this green.  This wonderful photograph by artist-activist Yann Arthus-Bertrand can be purchased at Allposter.com.  Here’s a bit about the artist from the Allposter.com website:

French aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s awe-inspiring images from high above rain forests, farms, volcanoes, cities and many other geographical points of interest are transformed into abstract photographic art. An avid environmental activist, he’s been raising awareness for sustainable living for over a decade. He’s produced 60 books and was honored with France’s most prestigious award, the Legion D’Honneur. He founded the Altitude Agency in Paris, specializing in aerial photography.

For more of Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s amazing photos visit this link.  His TED talk/videos are worth viewing as well.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand

I appreciate this artist’s efforts in regard to sustainable, green living.
And I love this wonderful living, viridian green.
Color A Day #53 is….Living Viridian.

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Crab Cooker Red – Color A Day #52

The Crab Cooker, located in Newport Beach, CA

The Crab Cooker is a staple in my world.  I drive by the Newport Beach peninsula location no less than four times a day as I drop and pick up my kids from school.  This seafood restaurant has been in business since 1951.  We stop in weekly to buy some smoked salmon or albacore from the deli case.  Their smoked fish is absolutely delish.  But most of all, I love the sense of humor this place exhibits.  I laugh almost every time I see the sign posted up high above the roof demanding, “Don’t Look Up Here”, and smile at the changing chalkboard proclamations like “Eat Lots A Fish”.   My favorite signs found at the Crab Cookers are pictured below: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”, and “Through these portals pass the most beautiful fish in the world.”  Just so.  Inside the place is chock full of bric-a-brac, like a huge stuffed shark and assorted old photos.  There is also a delightful CD of “fish songs” available for purchase at the counter.  But what may be the most notable thing about this place is the in-your-face, no-apologies RED that this building is painted.

Image via Wikipedia

Today’s color is….Crab Cooker Red.

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Nice Cup of Chai – Color A Day #51

I love chai tea.  I’m addicted to the stuff.  Actually my addiction is brand specific: Big Train Chai.  Vanilla flavor.  I buy it in bulk.  And, I’ve had about 3 (ok, 4) cups today.  That’s pretty typical.  I suspect that level of consumption is not particularly healthy, considering how much sugar is involved.  Because I like it sweeeeeet.  Truly, it’s mostly sugar and non-fat dairy creamer….and probably not much more than a suggestion of black tea in the mix.  No matter.  I’m drinking anyway.  Mmmmm.

Today’s color pays homage to my vice of choice: a nice cup of chai.

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Sunburst – Color A Day #50

Sometimes a thing of beauty brings me to a dead stop.  Today it happened.  I was driving by a house with a white plaster wall in front of which rose bushes bloomed.  The color of this particular bud was beautiful enough for me to stop my car right there and stare.  While my car idled by the curb, I hopped out and snapped this shot.  The soft yellow-orange made me think of a sunburst, or maybe a “Tequila Sunrise”.  Like a ray of warm sun, I soaked the beauty up.  And I thought of the old saying,   “Remember to stop and smell the roses”.   I stopped.

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White Inspiration – Color A Day #49

"Aporia crataegi-Black-veined White", By Igor Siwanowicz

I stumbled across this beautiful monochromatic image taken by Photographer Igor Siwanowicz (see more of his work here).  I was struck by the beauty of these gray/white moths.  Although I immediately categorized the colors in this photo as “white”, the truth is that these colors are not strictly white.  The subtle white shades found here are mixed with gray and brown or tan.  It’s this small touch of color that brings warmth and variety to the white. Just the smallest touch of another color can gently tinge white and create a plethora of new shades.  And as anyone picking out colors to paint a wall knows, there are a huge variety of “white” paint colors to choose from.  Today’s color is inspired by…white.

Peeling white plaster at Mission La Purisima

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February Compilation

The beginning of a new month…already?  Can someone explain why time moves so quickly?  How I wish I had a pause button.  February is always short, I suppose, even if we did have an extra day in it this leap year, but for some reason this particular February just flew by.  So today I’m looking back at the color concoctions from this now bygone month.  (Click here to see January’s compilation.) 

Here’s my little February rainbow…and looking forward to the Colors of March.

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