Eye Candy

I’ve always had strong reactions to colors, even as a child. When I was a little girl, JC Penney sold a canvas tennis shoe that was denim with orange top stitching and bright orange shoe laces. I loved those shoes. I could *feel* those shoes. The complementary color combo of orange and blue had me going back for more every time my shoes wore out.

I also remember having strong reactions to colors I did not like. Periwinkle, Coral and Seafoam usually remained untouched in my Crayola box… Especially Seafoam! It’s harshness and flatness left me feeling ill. It was institutional.

I remember being especially fond of shadows and realizing that shadows were not black or gray, but shadows were colors! At some point in my 30’s, my shadow perception became especially acute. I suddenly started to enjoy the periwinkle shadows in a garden and God forbid, I began to appreciate Seafoam highlights. The coolness of these colors played against the heat of another color could induce a visceral buzz. I could feel my breath stop, could feel my throat tighten, my stomach clench… it was not in a bad, “I’m allergic to shellfish way”, but rather a feeling of excitement… My eyes would widen, I’m sure my pupils would dilate. I could look at a hot coral zinnia with slight periwinkle overtones all day long and not feel tired. It’s a bizarre feeling of being hyper-alert yet hyper-still all at the same time.

I searched for images that would give me the shadow buzz always feeling lucky when I happened upon it in nature, but certain paintings were also a guaranteed hit and no one did it better than Wayne Thiebaud. I have long enjoyed his paintings. His paintings are wonderful and hit me on many levels.

I recently splurged and allowed myself to purchase “Wayne Thiebaud: A Painting Retrospective” by Stephen A. Nash with Adam Gopnik, published to commemorate the artist's 80th birthday in 2000. (I opted for this since I don’t think JC Penney sells those shoes anymore…). I think Thiebaud is best described inside as being “best known for his straightforward, deadpan still-life paintings of the 1960’s traditionally linked with Pop Art. Thiebaud is identified by his brilliant palette, luscious handling of paint…”

Luscious indeed… and better yet, Mr. Thiebaud is hyper-aware of shadows… using complementary colors to their extreme even when done softly. And the heaviness of his paint, the direction of his brush strokes, yes, luscious indeed!

It doesn’t matter if it’s a landscape, portrait or one of his highly famous still-lives, there is no missing his touch, his colors, his wonderful technique.

My eyes and my viscera thank you Mr. Thiebaud.

Comments

[blue girl]

Great post, Jennifer! I'll ask The Skimmer if he knows of this Mr. Thiebaud artiste that you speak of.

I think I had those exact same tennis shoes!

[Jennifer]

I loved those shoes!!!

[almostinfamous]

this thiebaud guy is making me so hungry!!

[Jennifer]

I think Pinko is serving refreshing Orange Julius's over at 3 Bulls! Maybe that would sate your hunger!

[Chuckles]

I am colorblind and have always had problems with colors. The emotional trauma I suffered as boy wearing one blue striped sock and one purple striped sock or one brown and one red was devastating.

To this day I wear only black or white socks.

[Jennifer]

Bummer, Chuckles! Do you have the issue with red/green/brown, where they all appear brown? Grizzled has trouble with gray/green/blue. If they are too much of the same value, he can't tell them apart. He will have on a blue-gray shirt, green pants and will think all are gray.

Can you see orange???

[Adorable Girlfriend]

Chuckles, for the love of Cookie Jesus -- go to therapy already. How long are you going to carry that emotion baggage around?