My work this week has been all about colour, as Tom and I have been printing and putting together the final selection of images for his annual calendar, whose theme for 2024 is “a year of rainbows”
I know I am biased, but I think Tom has outdone himself this year with a series of images that really celebrate the colourful beauty of Scotland’s mountains, lochs, and coastal landscapes. For those who have been asking, we should be able to release the calendar in a few days time (both a full hanging version with wood boards, and the refill packs) – so keep your eyes peeled for our newsletter next weekend.
I have been thinking (and writing) a lot about colour too, as Felix and I polish off the finishing editorial touches to our brand new book of essays and inspiration, Colour at Work which will be published in January. This book is all about enabling everyone’s creative work with colour, and I’m finding the whole project very energising – it will be just the thing to begin the new year!
As part of my research for this book, I’ve very much enjoyed Richard J Powell’s truly brilliant series of lectures at the National Gallery of Art, entitled Colorstruck! Painting, Pigment, Affect. So if you feel in need of some chromatic inspiration this week, I highly recommend all 6 lectures, but particularly number 6, The Bronze Thrill, in which Powell explores the representation of black bodies in the innovative portraiture of British artist, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.
During my knitting time, I’ve been enjoying Roman Mars’ 99% invisible podcast, many episodes of which explore issues surrounding colour in design. The podcast series as a whole is highly recommended, but readers of this blog might particularly enjoy episode 462 I can’t believe it’s pink margarine, episode 526, orange alternative, and episode 521, a sea of yellow, which explores the history and cultural significance of Brazil’s iconic yellow football (soccer) jersey (including its recent appropriation by the far right).
Finally, some high-chroma sonic inspiration, from extraordinary pianist, Hiromi, who has been performing this week at the London Jazz Festival. Tom and I heard her acoustic set (and interview) on last night’s J to Z and were completely blown away. You can find it on BBC sounds, around 41 minutes in to the programme.
Hope you are enjoying a joyful, colourful weekend! My chromatic icons series will be back next week.
Kate x
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