Saturday, March 20, 2010

Meditations in Shades of Gray--Or Is It Grey?



Gray or Grey? I always thought it was gray. But then grey started showing up in art related writing. Or maybe British writing. Whoever can explain why there are two different spellings and when each should be used gets a lot of extra credit points. But since the points will be in a gray (or grey) area, we don't know whether they're worth anything.

I decided to use gray/grey (hearinafter known as gray) for my March BJP. This has been the most interesting color (if it is one) to work with. I know that many people associate gray with dull, dreary, blah. But I thought about gray beads as understated sophistication.

You may wonder what I know about sophistication, either understated or overstated. To be honest, absolutely nothing. Except for how to spell it. But I wanted to work with gray beads anyway. I visualized a glamorous 1930s woman, in a bias-cut satin evening gown carrying a gray beaded handbag.

My first thought was to use some sort of swirly design to counteract any perceived severity from the gray. The beads, however, didn't want to swirl. Instead they wanted to play Art Deco. So what I have are straight lines. I'll finish this next week and then share the final result.

12 comments:

kaiteM said...

I really like greys, and yes we spell it this way, i wear greys, work with greys, play with greys - they offer so many possibilities. Of course they offer so much because they are made up of all the other colours being tinted out tertiaries. So play on with your greys, they look good. Kaite

Crazy Mama said...

i think it's looking very art nouveaux and industrial. neat look if you ask me! isn't it amazing how many shades of gray there are? you're doing a great job!

Bobbi Ann said...

Hi, I love your grays! It looks great so far!

beadbabe49 said...

the beads must be obeyed, yes!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Well, I like grey as in Zane Grey, and Greystoke. Grey is different, out of the norm, tomahtoish. Anyway, I like grEy.

This piece is out of the norm for you. all straight lines. I find myself looking to the intersections to see your technique in how they meet. Wonder what you are going to do to finish this piece.

Interesting.
Carol

Anonymous said...

I agree with Carol that this piece is not like your usual work -- it's very angular this time. Actually it reminds me of how I diverted from the norm with my January piece which is also very angular. Did you enjoy doing this one as much as others? I found returning to my more flowing designs pleased me more as I was working. Back to your post, I always spelled it gray too, but I've also seen it spelled grey in other places. I love your 1930s image, and I'm looking forward to seeing it completed!

abeadlady said...

Grey or Gray, it looks great, Marty. Isn't it fun to do something out of the ordinary for a change?

Unknown said...

Lovely work, which ever way you spell it :)

I typically type grey but as it gets auto-corrected to gray every time so any more I just spell it with the 'a'. Looking forward to seeing how you finish with it.

robin michelle said...

Wow! I'd never have thought gray could look so beautiful. I'm going to have to find some gray beads now!

Margaret Sutherland said...

Well, at least YOU can spell sofistikashun! lol
I loved the grey palette, and my March piece is in the same palette. Something about March I guess. I haven't finished it yet but you've inspired me. Very nice work!

Penny said...

I love the color grey (and all the shades therein). When beading grey seems to take on all sorts of light and shadows. This is a lovely piece. Here's to grey or gray or any shade in between!

Robbie said...

Very nice piece! I love the gray and I also like the grey! Reminds me of Frank Lloyd Wright!