Who Says Colors Vibrate?

January 21, 2025  •  Leave a Comment

 The Art of Red: Slowing Down to Speed Up the Creative Process

In the realm of both science and art, color plays a profound role in how we perceive and experience the world. Take the color red, for example. Science suggests that red vibrates at a frequency of 432 Hz, a frequency known for its harmonious and grounding properties. However, in the world of painting, red becomes something far more dynamic, something that transcends the limitations of measurable vibrations. For the artist, red doesn’t just sit still at 432 Hz—it can move at light speed and beyond, a velocity our brains are intuitively drawn to.

But here’s the catch: while our minds race to interpret the energy of the color, our brushes can lag behind. This is the paradox of painting—the creative mind operates faster than the tools at hand. So, how do painters bridge that gap? How do we use color, particularly the vibrant reds, to make an impact without losing our creative flow? The answer lies in a technique I call TABA—Take A Breath Artist.

The Speed of Thought vs. the Speed of Painting

For the painter, color becomes a tool of expression that requires both patience and an understanding of the relationship between the mind and the physical act of painting. The colors we work with, such as barn red, fire engine red, or the softer tones of magenta, often seem to demand immediate action. They pull us into a state of quick creative thought, urging us to make bold, fast decisions.

Yet, as we work on a canvas, we often find that the speed of our imagination does not match the speed of our brush. When working with vibrant hues like red, the process can become a bit like trying to catch up with a racecar with a bicycle—an exercise in patience. At times, this can cause frustration, especially when dealing with tricky colors that don’t quite match the mental image we envision. Red, especially, has this power—it can seem too bright, too intense, or even too harsh for the calm, balanced tone we may need in our artwork.

This is where TABA comes in.

TABA: Slowing Down to Embrace the Art

When I’m in the studio and the reds aren’t working for me, I use a simple trick. If the red is not ready-made or pre-mixed, I start with pink. It’s a lighter, gentler color that serves as a base, and from there, I begin adding in red, bit by bit, until I find that perfect shade. The process of layering allows me to temper the intensity of red while giving me the time and space to adjust the balance, the tone, and the texture of the color. It’s like adjusting to the speed of thought.

This method—starting with pink and gradually adding red—is a way of slowing my brain down, so to speak. It helps me align my mind and my brush, to allow the act of painting to become as fluid as the ideas that originally sparked it. I call this process "Take A Breath Artist" or TABA. It’s a reminder to slow down, focus, and let the painting unfold at its own pace.

The Role of TABA in "Torch Ginger"

One piece where I employed TABA is in my painting "Torch Ginger", featured in the herb gallery. The subject of the artwork—a vibrant, fiery plant—required bright, intense reds that needed to feel both natural and artistic. Using TABA, I started with softer tones and gradually built up the colors until I achieved the right balance. The result is a more controlled, deliberate application of red, allowing the fiery quality of the plant to emerge while maintaining a sense of artistic harmony.

By using TABA, I was able to capture the essence of the plant without allowing the intensity of red to overwhelm the piece. This slow-down technique gave me the flexibility to work within the speed of thought, ensuring that my brush was always one step ahead, yet never rushed.

Conclusion: Mastering the Speed of Color

As artists, we’re constantly navigating the gap between the speed of thought and the limits of our tools. The color red, with all its vibrancy and energy, can be both a challenge and a gift. By using techniques like TABA, we learn to slow down and give our creative processes the space they need to develop. In doing so, we can truly harness the power of color—allowing it to work at its full potential without ever losing the rhythm of our artistic flow.

So, the next time you're working with red (or any color), remember to take a breath. Slow your mind, and let your brush create.

Peace and love. Russ Myers  

myersbrothersart.com


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