I decided I should try this color--a fuchsia purple. I can't remember why. I love bluish purple, but I'm not particularly fond of fuchsia purple. But I decided I should make a month's BJP in fuchsia purple, to build character, I guess. So I spent September building character. And making this page.
As I worked on the page, I found it not quite fun. I did not find the color lovely. Now many of these beads are lovely in smaller amounts. But all together? Too much fuchsia for me. In fact, this color reminded me of fingernails on a chalkboard. (Shudder!!!) But I kept going. To build character. And I finished it.
Technical Details:
The page is beaded on Lacy's Stiff Stuff painted with a blend of red and purple Dye-na-Flow.
The beads include some Swarovski crystals, 6/0s, 8/0s, 11/0s, Delicas, cubes, and triangles.
The backstitch is the only stitch used on this page.
The page is 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches.
I used C-Lon Lilac thread in size AA.
What I Was Thinking:
Yeah, what was I thinking? I was determined to finish this page. Really determined. I hoped my character would improve. I wondered if there was always an icky side to character building activities. I wondered if it would be The Beginning of The End Of Civilization As We Know It if I tossed the whole thing and started with a new color. Or if it would be The Beginning Of The End Of Me As I Know Me...
Let me make clear that I did not find this a totally annoying project. It did not make me crabby. It was interesting. As I completed each row of beads, I was challenged to try to figure out how to make the page meet my idea of loveliness. I'm not sure I succeeded, but I think challenges like that can build character. Mine, I hope.
Issues That Came Up:
Working with a color I am not fond of is tiring. Can I choose only colors I like from now on? What challenges would I miss if I do that?
I move back and forth between C-lon thread and Nymo thread, depending on the color I have. The C-lon works ok, but I like Nymo better.
I spent a fair amount of time as I stitched thinking about the color I would use for October. Perhaps I should have embraced the fuchsia during that time.
I have not decided yet what my October color will be. But it will be a lovely color.
9 comments:
I am so sorry that you do not like that color. I love purple but it is not for everyone. You did a beautiful job in spite of that though!
I love all these purples, every one of them including fuchsia. Purple was one of my high school colors, can still cheer "Purple and white, fight, fight!" However, you didn't enjoy working with these colors, so I vote to work with only what you like. To me that's what art is about, letting your interpretation of what appeals to you show to the rest of the world. I'm betting that will build character too!
How Funny! I think this page is beeeuuuuttttteeeefulll!! I love the color. I love the movement. I love the texture. I love it as much as I love ALL your work.
Let me see....what color would I find as annoying as you have fushia....
Mustard..baby poop brown...brown...Ok, I got it now. I understand your feeling about FUSHIA!!
But it is a lovely page!!
I *love* those colors...the finished piece looks like quilt blocks and it makes me really happy :-)
I try to work with my non-favorite colors, but usually end up finding another color to mix with them that changes my mind about the first color...playing with color is fun and it sounds like you rose to the challenge!
I'm kinda neutral about purple. I wouldn't say it was my favourite, but then again, not my least favourite colour (I reserve that for orange). It's a pretty cool piece, so I think that you overcame your doubts. Perhaps it's because it made you try harder. Giggle!
Building character through color? Good challenge, but I think you have earned your respite from now on...whatever color you like, use it! My problem is I like all colors, and have a hard time deciding. Orange, red, yellow, blue, green,BRING IT ON!
But seriously, I really liked you piece, and enjoyed the color immensely. Thank you for sharing!
Just catching up on blogs. I loved your comments about 'building character'. I've had several projects that I've 'slogged' through -- perhaps from now on I can say "oh I'm just building character".
YES! You certainly deserve a totally lovely color for October, even if it's one you've already used, a challenge of a different sort.
I'm of the opinion that a challenge just for the sake of being challenging may be counter-productive in building creativity. Yet, I'm proud of you for sticking with this one and quite like your results. The design and texture elements in it are compelling, especially the square in the lower left area.
I LOVE the way you list your thoughts... to be mindful of one's own thoughts is a gift. Nymo... my vote too.
Hooray for starting October!!!
Robin A.
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