DAY 9 - Back to the Drawing Board, Orange is My Favorite Color

 

When I finished college in 1982, I felt obligated to wear dark clothes -- dark blues, greens, and grays. At the time, I felt it added a level of professionalism to my work in education and ministry. Even now, I still wear dark clothing. 

A couple of years back something happened that changed how I look at clothing in general and color in particular.

My oldest grandson (who’s now 8) asked his mom and dad to paint an orange racing stripe around his bedroom because orange was his “favorite color.” They agreed and, when the job was done, he couldn’t wait to show me his NEW room! Truthfully, it really looked cool and it took me back to something I’d forgotten from when I was young. 

Back in the 60s and 70s, when I was a kid, bright, psychedelic colors were the rage.  Reds, blues, greens, pinks, purples -- I LOVED ‘em, all of them. So, at age 10 or 11, being a bit of an artist, colorful markers and tempera colors became my tools of the trade. I held on to that love for color all the way through high school. Then I graduated (1976) and I entered ministry training instead of art school. Serious stuff.

During those years at college, I gradually lost my love for color. But when I saw my grandson’s room, I remembered. Now I think orange might be MY favorite color, too! 

This flower (it’s supposed to be a rose) is drawn all in shades of orange marker and crayon (crayons are our friends). Even the leaves, normally green, are orange and I DID it that way because I LIKE it that way.