Leading An Artful Life
There are hidden harmonies or contrasts in colors which involuntarily combine to work together.
Vincent van Gogh
Color Wheel
One of the most important tools for an artist is the color wheel. It’s nature’s light spectrum folded into a circle; the artists’ guide for combining colors. There are two basic ways that colors interact with each other: they harmonize or they contrast. Those colors that harmonize are close together on the wheel, while those that contrast are well apart. Side by side, opposite colors intensify and enliven each other and are referred to as “complimentary.” If used skillfully together in a painting, they add energy and vibrancy as your eye dances between them. Even more pleasing to your eye, is something called a “split-complimentary;” three colors that both harmonize and contrast.
Temperatures Rising –
Pencil Drawing by Meg Mitchell
Proceeds from the sale of this print go to fund young adults transitioning out of foster care to attend the PES. See below for ordering information.
When two complimentary colors are mixed, they neutralize each other into shades of gray or brown. They maintain their richness only by remaining both together and separate.
When it comes to leading a balanced life, I think Red said to itself… “I’m really glad to be me and I’m still extraordinarily curious to visit those green pastures and expand my range.” Orange, stayed happier allowing itself to visit the Blues at times, while Violet was pretty jumpy having been torn between red and blue for so long, finally sidling up to Yellow who was initially a little afraid of all the intensity.
The color wheel is a parable for my own learning and growth. The Enneagram bears a striking resemblance to the color wheel by inviting me as an “8” to explore and incorporate aspects of my “split-complimentary;” the “5” and the “2.” There is shadow and light for me in all three.
Meg with a sign she created for one of our seminars.
I am lucky to have many “colors” in my palette. I enjoy many interests and can readily adapt to a wide range of people and environments. The shadowy-side is that I can adapt so quickly that I don’t ask myself, “What is it I really want?” before I shift and blend into the flow around me, or automatically accept limitations. Slowing down to notice when I’m tempted to compromise for expediency or acceptance allows me to recognize and resolve apparent opposites in ways that honor all the parts of me and others; separately and together. – Meg Mitchell
Lifeworks Graduate January, 2000. My purpose: To synthesize paradox with humor. To lead with passion for the future and compassion for today; enabling the richest possibilities.
Email Meg for inquiries and to order Temperatures Rising.
