"I would like to start by sharing that I am a visual artist and create paper collages. I use brightly colored paper and multi ethnic skin tones for my art. Big chunks of vibrant often contrasting colors appeal to me as an artist with low vision.
Recently I was thinking about describing my art to someone who has never had any sight. I started questioning how do I describe color in non visual terms and started thinking of all the sensations and experiences I associate with colors. So here are some of my non visual descriptions of color if you are sighted and do not need your vision for communication please feel free to shut your eyes to let the descriptions wash over you. For those of you who keep your eyes open there will be images of the colors described on the screen.
Orange – this orange is rich, warm and soft as if iT could melt in your mouth dripping down your throat with hints of ginger and nutmeg. It is not a thin liquid but thick and creamy creeping in to fill the crevices with warmth
Yellow – bright yellow is exciting and unexpected it fills the space and makes you pay attention. Kinda like when you are sitting in the sun and the heat on the part of you hair almost gets too hot. You just can't ignore that sun because this yellow is in your face saying pay attention to me.
Purple – purple is dramatic it can seem soft like the beginning of lots of classical music with the instruments building into something exciting. Then the music engulfs you and climbs into your soul. Like music sometimes it is more cheerful and other times like this one it is kinda somber and almost foreboding.
Dark blue – is cold and strong it fills the space and has crisp lines around the edges. It is shocking but once you are over the initial plunge it is invigorating if your up for it. Definitely not a color for the faint of heart. Just imagine sticking your hand under a cold faucet in the morning when you thought the water had time to warm up.
Light blue – is the smell of the salt from the ocean, kinda muddled and not distinct but definitely there. With the breeze that is both warm and chilled as you walk along the shore and can hear the faint squawk of seagulls in the distance. It makes you wrap your windbreaker around you and feel thankful for such beauty.
Bright orange – this is akin to yellow, it want you attention and will walk up and bonk you on the forehead because it is a diva. This is the party in a tropical paradise loud and crowded but oh so fun!
These are the colors used in my piece El mensajero del gran espiritu (messenger from the great spirit).
The story behind this piece is that in a vision my half native (Navajo and Ute) grandfather who I never met came to me and whispered in my ear. He said “you are a messenger” then he released me as a blue bird into the vast mesas of New Mexico.
This piece of art is a deep orange circle with the warm ginger and nutmeg dripping down your throat. There are two purple mesas, rock formations placed over the orange on the bottom of the piece, one is slightly warmer like classical Latin music and the other is a little darker and maybe a Russian piece. They are both dramatic building intensity with their steps and ledges climbing. Centered between the mesas is part of a circle of yellow screaming for attention with the sun drawing the eye to it. Above this is a blue bird with wings spread soaring on the air. The bird is crisp, cold and strong cutting through the warm orange. She has light blue accents of rings around her neck plus tail, outlines at the tip of her wings and droplets on her feathers. The accents add a soft beauty of moments walking in a warm wrap on a cool afternoon. And pointed out from the bird into the heavens there is a bright orange beak ready for the party to start and bringing the paajito (bluebird) forward to share her message.
Please join us and open your eyes if you shut them for this piece.
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