Monday, June 6, 2011

The Summer of Color!

"Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammers, the soul is the piano with it's many chords. The artist is the hand that, by touching this or that key, sets the soul vibrating automatically."
- Wassily Kandinsky


Welcome to The Summer of Color, a 10-week blog party celebrating art in all it hues! 

Beginning today - and every Monday throughout the event - we will focus on and create art based upon the beautiful, bold and luscious colors of the rainbow. We will work in our preferred medium exploring color and share what we produce here. We will link our work using the widget on the bottom of each Summer of Color post and, for those who participate, leave a comment to be entered in a weekly giveaway. The purpose of the event is to emerge ourselves into the world of color: playing, experimenting and learning from one another throughout the lazy days of Summer . . . 

Let's get going!
There are so many ways to participate in The Summer of Color. You can create anything you'd like, as long as it's based upon the color of the week. You may choose to develop a body of work using the same materials each week, or mix it up and work with different mediums and/or products throughout the event. It's up to you. 

What kinds of things will we be seeing?
Glad you asked. I have taken the liberty of linking to some beautiful images of the following art forms:
Of course, there may be things you'd like to do that I haven't thought about. The thing is, if you have an art form you love, go for it. Create it in color and share it here. If you have an art form that you've been wanting to try, now's the time. We will learn and explore together. And hopefully make some new arty friends along the way  . . .

So, what about the colors?
We will create new art each week based upon a specific color that I disclose here. In other words, we will all be working on the same color in the same week. Now, a note about the colors themselves: after much thought, I have decided to make each week's color nonspecific. As much as I want us to create in the mediums we prefer, I also want us to create in the hues within each color that we prefer. Should the first week's color be blue (just as an example ;), I would want you to create in the blues you love. 

And how will this work?
Each week, I will provide a color prompt here. You then will have a week to complete your piece based upon that color. When you are done, simply post about it and link it here (in a widget like the one below) from the following Monday on. Of course, you can also share your work through Flikr. Each week the color will change and we will get started on another piece. There will also be a giveaway each week for the participants of the challenge. Just leave a comment to be considered for the random drawing. The winner will be announced the following week. 

Whew, so in the end, it goes like this: 
* Come here every Monday to find out what color we are working on
* Create art based upon that color
* Come back here the following Monday (or within that week) to link your work and enter the giveaway
* Discover what the next week's color will be

Okay, that's better. Anything else?
Um hm. Just a few things to note. There may be some weeks in which there is a bonus challenge. In that case, should you complete the bonus, you may be entered into the drawing twice. Also, this is meant to be fun. No pressure. If you are away or can't participate every single week, don't worry about it. But you can always check in to see what others have created in your absence. Having said that, only those who participate may enter that week's drawing. That seems fair, right? 

Yep. And what about the stuff on your sidebar?
There has been a Flickr group and a Facebook page (thanks again Trisha ;) created specifically for the event. Check in there for more Summer of Color fun. 

**********************************************************************************

Okay? Okay! On with week one . . .
This week, your challenge is simple. Just tell us what you're going to do or create during the event. Will you be working with inchies or moo cards? Will you be creating a Summer of Color journal or scrapbook? Will you be making an altered book or be doing some canvas work? Please share it with us here. Simply post a picture in Flickr or on your blog along with your thoughts about your project. Please also include a link back to Twinkle, Twinkle so that anyone else who wants to join in can find us. Then attach your post using the linking widget below. When you're done, leave a comment in the comment section to be entered into the random weekly drawing.

This is what I am going to be working with . . .

Strathmore 8 x 10 Ready Cut Watercolor papers

I have decided to participate (yes, I will be working and sharing alongside you ;) by creating a lose-leaf art journal. I love the idea of making a journal that I can work on one page at a time and am thrilled to be creating a series based upon color. In the end, I hope to find some creative way to bind the pages for a complete book about our journey together. Wish me luck. 

Will there be a giveaway this week?
Naturally! And it's a good one - I know these art supplies would get my wheels turning (and my heart beating) . . . You wanna win this?

Artist Loft 6 piece acrylic set, Strathmore watercolor postcards, Visual mixed-media journal, and (like me) a pad of ready-cut 8 x 10 watercolor paper. Bristol ATC cards, a Blick notepad and 8 colored pencils, an 18 x 18' piece of primed canvas material and a sprinkling of Swarovski crystals.

Again, all you need to do to enter is post about your participation in the event, link that post here and then leave a comment in the comment section. You will have until the end of this week (Sunday, June 12th) to do so. The winner will be announced next Monday. 

AND - what is next week's color? 

Beautiful, beautiful Blue!

"There are connoisseurs of blue just as there are connoisseurs of wine."
- Colette

You may link your artwork inspired by the color BLUE as of next Monday, June 13th.

Thanks for joining me: I look so forward to hearing what you are planning to do this week!

{Update: Thank you for all of your excitement! It looks like we're headed towards a great Summer of creativity and connection. I've been asked a few questions that I wanted to share with you so that I can be sure that we are all comfortable with how this will work. First; this is an international event. Should your name be selected for a drawing, I will happily to mail it to you at no cost. Second; This week's challenge is to post about what you plan to create and link that direct post in the link widget here. This week's giveaway will be drawn from the pool of those who have posted about their participation in the event. Third; we will post our blue pieces as of next week, from Monday the 13th on. That will be the first time to share our artwork with one another. Thanks again! xo}

Kristin xo

84 comments:

Kristin said...

So I just started a blog just for this! Hopefully I do everything right! I am so excited, it is 3 am here, I stayed up just to see this start! My first choice will be watercolor as well to test out some new techniques I have learned. I will be changing what I use week to week, they are all too wonderful to be left out! So the blue color is the prompt for next week right? I just want to make sure I don't miss the deadline! And if we are able to or are feeling particularly overachieving, its ok to do more than one project in a week?

Kristin

Mandy said...

ok...i am all there and pumped ready to go...can't wait...and that prize is amazing...woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle said...

Does our piece have to be completely blue? Or can it be mostly blue with some other color? It doesn't matter either way, but I want to make sure I get it right!

bluegiraffe (Sherry) said...

Hi, I'm excited to start this colorful event! I plan to create my art digitally (though as I say on my blog, I can't rule out sneaking in another medium from time to time...). See you all again soon!

Joni Nickrent said...

Sounds like fun...going to put my thinking cap on and try to get it together for the first post when I get home tonight...hmmm...looks like blue will be on my mind all day today! :)

Liette said...

Hi everybody!!! So fun monday, I am happy to start a new projet...I will create a mini scrapbooking album...( I have too much stock sleeping in my studio)...and if I have time, I will complete it with an art journal with watercolor paper...Oh what a nice week to come!!..hope you enjoy too!!! see you next week xx

Alis Clair said...

So excited about this challenge. I love colour especially sunset colours. I am already planning a little blue fairy.
Looking forward to seeing all the diverse projects. xx

Trixie said...

I am excited and the funny thing I keep talking to guys about it too and they might join. So far I have two guy friends doing this with me. I maybe recruited one more. I can't wait to do these classes

Kristin said...

Hello everyone!
In response to Michelle's question, your piece should be inspired by the color of the week - in whatever form that takes. There can definitely be other colors in there - as long as the focus of the work is blue.
Thank you Michelle! xoxo

Mary C. Nasser said...

What a fun summer blog event and AWESOME giveaway!! Looking forward to participating!

So glad I found you through the “All Kinds of Artists” Artist blog hop!
I am your newest blog follower. :)
Looking forward to seeing your upcoming posts!

I welcome you to check out my art blog, too!

Best,
Mary C. Nasser
http://www.marycnasser.com/blog.html

Terrie said...

What a great idea - and art usually is about color, so what a good starting point. I also like that it's open to lots of kinds of media ... that will make the results really interesting. I'm certainly going to try to participate as much as I can! Blue, hmmmm.

Ella said...

I was thinking of journaling, too! I love this idea.
Blue is such a dreamy color...aaahh~
I will post later today about this challenge; off to do errands! @>----(it is your favorite blue flower)lol

joanna said...

Monday funday!! can't wait for this Kristin :)) thank you!

Unknown said...

Well I am taking a plunge and trying out painting with different mediums than I usually do (watercolor); I am going to try acrylic. Believe me, if it doesn't work, you'll see watercolor at the end of this week! But to be safe, let's just say mixed media work on paper. I am thinking of working with the size of my new MOLESKINE and love the idea of a little book at the end of this journey. It is all unknown at present! I am looking forward to seeing what others do. *smiles* Norma
p.s. will post later today

Jessica (JessiVille) said...

I'm so excited Kristin! I would like to ask a favor, due to blogger issues, those of you with new blogs esprecially, can you please reset (in settings) your comments box to open in a separate window rather than embeded at the end of the blog post so that we can use our google profile to comment. With the new blogs, some of us can't comment at all because even the name/URL profile is not available. This is why our pictures aren't showing in our comments. I truly want to be able to participate fully with you all. Thank you!!! Jessi xox

Jessica W. (JessiVille) said...

Me again - Sorry for all the type o's, lol! I can't decide for sure what I want to do. I'm thinking along the lines of a loose leaf journal similar to Kristin's idea. Something mixed media on hot press w/c paper anyway. Can't wait to see what we all come up with!
Jessi xox

Sarah said...

I've found out about this through a friend blogging about you. I'm looking forward to finding out if I can have a Summer of Colour (yep, English so gotta have a u I'm afraid!! lol) xx

Pippa (pjbear) said...

That would be me then Sarah, LOL! I've done a piece of art, waiting for it to dry before finishing off and taking photograph and posting to blog. It's not my normal style or shape - tres unusual, but loving the uniqueness of it and I have a box to keep it in!

JessiVille said...

Yes! You've fixed it for us blogger victims! Thank you Kristin!

Joyce said...

I plan to mix it up with a little bit of everything. Anxious to get started. So much fun!

Just a Simple Gal - Judy in Huntsville - AL said...

Looking forward to a great summer - full of inspiration!

E Makes Art said...

Oooh... I'm excited! can't wait to get started. I need to think about what I want to do before I can post about it! I'll be back when I decide!

xoEsther

K J D said...

Hi Kristin

I've been so looking forward to this... I have NO idea what I am going to be doing! BUT, I do know the first one will be BLUE! and that I WILL do something :)

Karenx

Lesley Edmonds said...

Hooray we've started. Blue is not a natural colour for me to choose so it was a tricky one but I managed to do a mixed media piece.

Look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

Thank you so much Kristin for organising this event.

Lesley x

Daniele Valois said...

getting excited. Never participated in one of these. So excited that this is my first!

Thinking Blue!

Pam Tucker said...

Hi Kristin. Looking forward to this! Excited to get started :)

Anita Van Hal said...

Hey Kristin! This is going to be so much fun...I posted the announcement on my blog and also announced what my chosen medium will be...I wanted to do something more challenging for myself but then I know I'd fall behind and eventually quit, so I went with something I LOVE to do to ensure I'd complete the challenge...so I'll be making little art quilts that measure from 5-6"...thanks for doing this! Hugs!

Unknown said...

I'm really looking forward to this and have a head buzzing with ideas. I know I will do some felting, and I want to do some collage and I'd love to make a colour inspiration journal...

Thank you for organising this, looks set to be a colourful summer.

JaneT said...

My muse left out the backdoor two years ago and nothing seems to get me back on track. A friend suggested this workshop, so we will see if it helps. My world is ruled by color, so maybe this will get me going again. Thanks.

Becky Dunham said...

Wow Kristin - this looks like so much fun! i stumbled onto this from another blog and i can't wait to get started. I am an oil painter (wannabe) but the last few months i have been doing a lot of paper crafting. Reading thru these comments, i have not heard much mention of that so i hope i am still able to do this. I am planning on making cards, mini albums and painting over the summer so figured i could incorporate this. I love your art journal idea so may do something like that too. I have not tried much watercolor but dying to get into that more. i might even do a a mini quilt - too many crafty hobbies! Thanks for putting this together!

Jenny said...

Thank you Kristin for organizing such a wonderful challenge... I just know it will be heaps of fun... can't wait to start playing :)))

Jenny x

Sarah said...

Yep, Pippa that would be you who pointed me in this direction Mmmmwah

I've just added to my blog post about this event as I now know that I'm going to try and do an art journal for it. I've got the pages prep'd and blue drying as I type. Can't wait to do more to it once I get back from town later xx

E Makes Art said...

Hi friend! I'm back after posting my "blue plans". I'm swamped this week so it's going to be a simple one, but I'm gonna squeeze it in darn it!! I have to cause I'm excited about this event!! Hope you're having fun!

xoEsther

Diane said...

Hi Kristin--what a very good giveaway and great start to your summer of color--I'm working on my box right now!

aichaku-愛着 said...

I'm going to be creating for all the prompts in my sketch book, I've made a post about it and linked it here.

JaN's ArTy JouRneY said...

Hi Kristin... I'm going to try my best to join in each week, I tend to stick to the same ol' colours in my creating, so, hopefully, your challenge will get me out of my colour comfort zone!!
Oh, and I've already had fun completing my 'blue' piece!
Thanks for organizing this fab challenge...
Jan x

Emily C. said...

Love the quotes! :) I wish i can join the contest! Dont think i'm artistic enough though. haha :)

P.s.// thanks for linking me up at the side bar :)

Skaja said...

Looking forward to working through this course. :)

linda (dots n doodles) said...

This look like it is going to be such fun and thank you for hosting it. It is going to be a bright colourful summer!

Julie said...

So glad I found you, I love color and I love Summer!

Janie Husband said...

i must admit that i am really inspired to do this....i had soooo much fun creating my "blue haired girl"..... ready for the next one....maybe i will have time to do another "blue"....

Janie Husband said...

oops....i guess i should read the rules more carefully.....i posted my finished piece already...... dah

Joanna said...

Hi Kristin, I saw this on Karen's blog (Missy K) and Jan's blog (Jan's Arty Journey), and I want to play too!

I've got to go off and decide what I'm going to do, and post about it on my blog. I'll be back!

Thank you, this looks such fun.

Jo
xx

okienurse said...

Read about this blog on another blog I am following. Love the idea of sharing and creating with 'friends' I am looking forward to a weekly feast of beautiful things to look and ooh and ahh over! I think I will probably be making cards, altered objects, ATC and various other things as the mood strikes. Thanks for thinking this up!!

Lori Heald said...

Hi, I am going to do a chair, and the upholstery will be in blue color. I am very excited about participating in your wonderful event. I understand it needs to be posted by Monday, if I need more clarity, please let me know. Thanks Kristin for taking the time to do this for everyone. xo Lori Heald

Jo Murray said...

I do so love a challenge and thank you for the opportunity to indulge myself... and prizes tooo! I am on the 'collage' train at present so will be working on your weekly theme in mixed media.

Becky F said...

I stumbled across this challenge while reading somebody else's blog, and it looks like fun.

Thank you for hosting this, Kristin!

Sandi McLean said...

Oh I am so looking forward to this! Thank you Kristin for just the summer enthusiasim I was looking for.

Joanna said...

How fun!!! I'm so glad that I stumbled upon your blog, I'm excited to join you in this new challenge! :)

Morph Waffle said...

Yay! This will be fun! And such a generous giveaway!

Georgie Horn said...

oh, this sounds like a whole lotta fun! I'm in. I'm working on greeting cards.

WrightStuff said...

Looking forward to joining in. You have to check out my post - just as I was writing about blue - a blue song came on my iTunes... spooky eh?

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great fun idea for the summer - thinking about doing various different creative things.

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

So excited to get started! Thank you Kristin for organizing this fun event. :)

Amy said...

Thank you for being a great inspiration Kristin..I look forward to getting started on my summer projects for this!!!

Joanna said...

Hi Kristin, sorry it's taken me a few days but I've finally posted about your wonderful Summer of Colour blog event! It's about half way down this post

http://fiddlesnips.blogspot.com/2011/06/whats-rocking-my-world-this-friday_10.html

so you can scroll down until you see your beautiful 'Announcement card'.

Now I'd better go and get started on 'Blue'!

Thank you

Jo ..xxx

Noemi said...

How exciting!!
I am loving this project and I haven´t even started yet!

Thanks for all your effort and good ideas on putting all this together. A big hug from Spain.
By the way, are there any other Spaniards taking part?

Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff said...

Thanks for such a wonderful idea! So looking forward to creating and sharing this summer!
enJOY a lovely weekend,
Kimberly

Veronica Kosowski said...

Thank you Kristin for creating such a wonderful event! I'm looking forward to creating and seeing what everyone else makes for each color. This summer will be great!

Karen said...

I'm excited to do some art journaling & maybe some watercolor.

Nan said...

What a great idea Kristin! I am really looking forward to doing this. Love using color themes. I want to do some mini mixed media collages. I am thinking blue tonight! Thanks! Also congrats on your work in the new Somerset!

Anonymous said...

Have just linked my blog here, and my 'blue' pages are in progress. Great idea, wonderful to see so many people joining in :)

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to having fun with this and trying out some new techniques and art forms.

Trece said...

I have used the blues of the ocean and swimming pool, since those are what I love. I posted my art to the Flickr group, and on my blog, where I linked to you and have a sidebar blinkie.
I am very excited by this opportunity. Thanks, Kristin!

Jo Murray said...

OOPS!!! I've already done mine... am I too early? Check via Kristin's 'widget'

Valerie-Jael said...

This sounds like an exciting new challenge, my picture can be seen at the blog-url I have posted. Thanks for organizing this! Valere-jael

Anonymous said...

this is fabulous! i've linked in to my blog post ~ i know i'll start with poetry but i'm not sure where i'll go from there. a really fun project for the summer. thanks for doing this Kristin!
dani

Melisa said...

I love blue! It's a great summer color. I'm not sure what I will do yet. Maybe a watercolor or a journal page. I've got to put my thinking cap on. :)

Wendy Aspinall said...

Thank Kristin what a wonderful challenge and blue love it... thanks for hosting......
Hugs wendy

sugar Creek said...

I can't wait to play! Already have some ideas going!!

Lesley said...

I was encouraged by Jeanie to come and play along as well. I will be making greeting cards but I tend to do a little mixed media now and again as well. I am looking forward to playing with colours I tend to shy away from, only because I like grunge a lot. Can't wait to dive right in.

Elizabeth said...

Uff! I did it! I am so happy to finally made it at the last moment....I will be focus to finish the Sketchbook Project Journal with lots of sketches and lot of fun.
Looking forward to enjoy the challenge!!!

joanna said...

Hi Kristin!! I've been holding out on this painting for almost a week now! started right the same day u gave the prompt :)
thank you for hosting this!!
xoxo

Joanna said...

And your piece is simply fabulous!

Kristin Aquariann said...

Wonderful idea! I'm glad to have discovered this lovely challenge through Sunday Sketches. :D

Kathy said...

I kept seeing your button on different blogs.. I love the idea.. and I made it in time.(I think).. not sure where this will go.. mixed media.. watercolors.. think it will be fun...
Thanks..

Cindy Rose said...

Please count me in. What a great idea!! Thanks! xo., Cindy

Anita Van Hal said...

I'm trying to leave my name and link in the Mr. Linky thing, and I keep getting an error message saying it has to be less or equal to null...what in the world does that mean? Thanks!

Anita Van Hal
http://www.anitavanhal.com

peggy gatto said...

Joining a little late so I came here to let you know I will be painting my garden! Using photos I will either cut and past color or use real paints or use photoshop!
I love gardens, all kinds!!!
This will be fun and thanks for letting me join.
http://wwwmycoloringbook.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-post.html
I will be using my 2nd blog, my coloring book!

Heather Henry said...

Joining in a wee bit late, I hope that's okay. I just found your blog via another blog. Not really sure yet what I will work on. I mostly do watercolor pencil drawings, but I may try something new.
Thanks for the opportunity, I'm excited to give it a try.

Heather
littleredhenry.blogspot.com

Christine said...

Hello, hope your summer is going well. I'm going to try your summer fun contest. Talk to you soon.

Melodie said...

A color challenge?...I think I can do that!! This will be my first challenge.Thanks so much for setting this up.

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Unknown said...

Found you on Instagram and had to head on over- looking forward to the challenge and all the inspiration here!

Thanks!!