The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

My painting professor, Corey Drieth, mentioned something in previous class about examining why certain color schemes and palettes are attractive [to us]. Questions raised were: What kinds of colors are you using [when painting]? What colors do you use to decorate your room? What colors are you wearing?

That’s raised all sorts of interesting questions. The art that I create are typically explosions of color. They’re usually either extremely bright and have complementary colors. Or they’re very dark– in either tone or actual color choice. My color combinations clash, are often jarring, and quite often– volatile. I’ve had the words “highly-charged” and “lively” thrown at me, which I suppose is rather fitting considering my aesthetic– and the body of work that I’m slowly producing with considerable effort. My room on the other hand– is primarily, well red. All of my walls are according to the paint chip: firecracker red, with black, white and aluminum accents. What I have in the way of actual color is provided of media: CDs, DVDs, books, and graphic novels. And– um actual figures.

The environment which I create then is to say very stark and graphic.

And my wardrobe? With the exception of a handful of band tees, a track jacket, Tom’s hoody, a peacoat and a pair of 14-hole oxblood Doc Martens, everything I own in terms of a wardrobe is either black, gray or white.

Notable excerpts from Dress Code: Understanding the Hidden Meanings of Women’s Clothes:

Why Black? Black silhouettes the body, throwing light and shadow on a woman’s curves. It lends a sense of drama to the features and can mask her flaws, make her look slimmer, and set off a fair complexion. A woman garbed in black appears both intriguing and elegant. Depending on the garment, black can render its wearer invisible, stark and severe.

It is hands down, the most chic color– invariably tasteful and appropriate when we’re not sure what to wear. A subtle element of fear also contributes to black’s erotic, sexual appeal. Darkness signifies the unknown and the complex. Prior to the current feminist sensibility, black was worn only by women perceived as sexually experienced.

Its association with the occult lends an ominous, forbidden quality to its allure.

Artists have traditionally favored black because it doesn’t distract them from their work. Artistic women are drawn to black, as it allows them to reach into their dark side, to access the source of their best work.

Black is a veneer for light. It is a creative color that waits for illumination to seep out from its darkness.

Black is also associated with evil, danger, and rebellion. In Jungian philosophy black represents the descent into hell and is connected with the dark and the hidden subconscious.

Gray:
The color gray is associated with the brain (gray matter) and “gray areas” that exercise the intellect more than “black and white” issues– and because it’s also linked with age/wisdom (gray hair, a “graybeard”)– gray is favored by artists, intellectuals, and philosophers. Studies show that artists are more creative when working in gray environments during foggy, overcast weather than in brighter, more stimulating situations. One expects a woman wearing this color to be very responsible. Gray can also be a sign of depression. (Gray is also a color of fear.)

Silver is a brighter form of gray, and shades of silver or platinum are a sign of affluence. On thinks of “silver screens” and “clouds with silver linings”. Steel gray and green gray have negative associations since they occur in nature’s palette during treacherous weather conditions.

I am fond of sneaking red in around me. Though it’s usually in accessories.

On Red: Women in red are often seen as flirtatious, dynamic, and playful. But red is also the color of dominance.

Blue-based reds reek of leadership and authority and are therefore a good choice for business situations. Red is a great color for commanding attention, recognition, or power.

Wearing red requires self-assurance and confidence and should be saved for special occasions or when you want to make a bold statement.

Cashmere, silk, or satin take the edge off vibrant reds.Red leather, on the other hand, will always appear tough and brash, and red wool verges on harshness, emphasizing the color’s association with power and aggression. In the deep tones, red velvet conveys richness. A woman wearing burgundy or crimson velvet will come across as both opulent and romantic. However, bright red velvet seems vulgar.

Red may be the most direct color message you can send. There are no hidden meanings here: passion and potency are directly communicated.
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While not exactly new or novel, reading Fischer-Mirkin’s book has made me pause, and made me continue to question my choices– and why it is exactly that I make them.

As I’m writing this, I’ve just realized that everything that I’m wearing today has a hole in it. Huh. Food for thought.