RED

|of a color at the end of the spectrum next to orange and opposite violet, as of blood, fire, or rubies|

Red has never been a favorite color of mine. Think about it…

• It means to Stop and I don’t like to stop!
• Danger is marked with it…No Thank You I’ll pass on danger!
• Red Marks on Homework…Naw, I’ll pass on those as well!
• A red number on your register…Bad News!

I know what you are thinking: “Those aren’t red flowers. What’s wrong with this artist?” I see nothing positive about being associated with the color red for me unless that means you are purple or orange. What makes red so special to so many anyway?

Have you ever seen red that is was soft and welcoming? Even when you see items for Valentine’s Day they throw a soft pink in there to tone things down. No passion could be that hot…Could it?!?

Red has just always been one of those colors that I avoid. It screams for all your attention no matter where it is. It doesn’t play well with others and as far as I’m concerned needs to stay home.

In my paint baskets there is red, of course. However, Miss Red has a very small basket and has to share with many other colors since there are so few in her family. She is also not allowed to come out and play often as I have many other more “desirables” that like to co-mingle and don’t have to be reprimand. Now don’t get me wrong she does make an appearance when I need a bangin’ orange or a bold rich burgundy. When it comes to playing alone on the canvas that rarely happens. I have always told collectors that if they see a painting of mine with red and love red they had better add it to their collection because they don’t come up frequently.

Even at Christmas I refuse red and all it’s family. Instead, I lean towards purple and all its calming richness that looks great with the oranges of a fire in the fireplace. To add a bit of spark to my purple I love throwing in a Dr. Seuss lime green. You know the one I’m talking about. After all who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss?!?

If forced to work with red I adapt it (get ready for it and remember I’m an artist) into a purple red, a warm orange red with richness and bit of softness. Never a fire engine red! DANGER!