SEARCHING FOR INDIAN YELLOW

I wondered what subject to paint. Frustration moved my brush sprawling colors across a canvas. Imagination filled my mind; the colors took me to a new place. I have learned a painter should consider color first, with the subject being only a second thought. Color changes our emotions before detail. No two people see or are impacted by colors the same way. Yellow, Red, and blue are the primary colors. An infinite number of other colors result by mixing these colors. There are differences even in primary colors resulting from pigment, location of manufacture, and technique. Some are difficult to find. One such color is Indian Yellow, first made in India near Calcutta. A florescence, muddy earthiness and vividness all exist in this color. I have searched long hours for Indian Yellow Paint, often to find empty slots under its name on the rack. Indian Yellow and a brush will certainly create a great painting you think. However, in real life, you almost never see Indian Yellow in its pure form. When fortunate enough to find this paint, most artists end up mixing it with other colors to create the desired effect. Seldom does one color make an artful result. I will continue to mix the colors of the world to make the life I want and imagine.

Paintings: David Young www.studiofour.com © 2013
Music: “Jasmine Flower” by Worldly Underscores www.JewelBeat.com
 

 

Facts and quotes about the primary colors

Yellow – the oldest pigment discovered by humans is yellow ochre, drawn from an earthen substance. Emotions and thoughts created by Yellow are knowledge, sunshine, maturity and health. Yellow is a favorite color of advertising. Only the comic book character Green Lantern is afraid of Yellow.

“I like it but it’s yellow, and I’m like, I didn’t want yellow for my engagement ring!!” Paris Hilton

Red – when patients come out of a coma, Red is the first color they recognize. Red is a giant of a color full of passion and symbolism. It will dominate a painting even when not a main color. Sin, guilt, passion, blood, courage and anger are all emotions symbolized by Red. It is derived from iron oxide, which the planet Mars has in abundance, thus the Red Planet.

“When in doubt, wear Red.” Bill Blass

Blue – having a wandering and restless soul, at times have made me feel Blue but also served up wonderful life experiences. Sadness, fidelity and sincerity are all linked with the color Blue. English ships of the 1800s flew a blue flag when their captain died. Egyptians revered Blue water as purity of a female and the Blue sky as male passion. Blue is derived from Azurite, a natural mineral.

“I sure lost my musical direction in Hollywood. My songs were the same conveyor belt mass production, just as most of my movies were. Tonight I am going to wear something not quite correct for evening wear, My Blue suede shoes.” Elvis

FACES

The street is an every changing canvas for the photographer. The camera loves faces and the renderings they cast off both real and imagined. Faces define us, a person in a sea of humanity. They are the outward appearance of who we are and can be; proud, frightful, fierce, strong, wise, trustworthy and not. We hope our face will bring us fame, to have value and standing, and we never want to lose face. We concentrate endlessly on our faces; spend huge amounts of money on cosmetics, lifts, enhancements to make them better. It is little wonder that faces adorn street art to draw our attention. Sometimes just for art itself, more often to promote a social cause, political agenda, sell a product or build a presence. Iconic faces find their way to the mix as well as those wanting to become iconic. Like all faces, the time and city wear on the crisp image adding lines, creases, blemishes and tears that give new art to us as in real life.

Photographs by: David Young of Studio Four Magazine ©

Music: “Trying” by Vocal Cool 2 www.jewelbeat.com

 

The Painters

They had learned to stop along the road of life. How to move gently, savor the differences, and see luxuries all around them...

 

The Desert

The desert stretches your mind, letting you look at the soul of things and your own....

Type of Graffiti

TAGS - Graffiti artists street name

 

 

STICKERS - Graffiti placed on stickers then attached to walls

 



 

 

THROW UPS - Quick graffiti often done by artists on run. Little definition.

 

 

 

PIECE - More eloborated graffiti artists street name renditions

 

 

 

WILDSTYLE - Interlocking connecting points often only able to be read by other graffiti artists

 

 

 

BLOCKBUSTER/ROLLER - Large pieces almost always done in block shapes with two colors

 











"Reflections on a Flowery Couch"

Graffiti Wash

My camera could not stay away from graffiti. The art of the street, it often conveyed social messages, cultural changes, territorial tags, or just artistic renderings. The colors, patterns and effect on the city were addicting. Graffiti is both revered and fought over. Makers of graffiti move fast trying to stay ahead of law enforcement. Cities create tip lines and rewards to stop it. Still it persists and multiplies. Since marquee artists like Ty Towmbly moved the art from street to canvas to gallery, art advocates have tried to legitimize graffiti art. What I came to enjoy the most about Graffiti was the outfall from the attempts by property owners and sometimes artists to eradicate it. Property owners usually painted it over, the technique called “Graffiti Wash.” It resulted in colors different from the original walls. Other Graffiti artists seeing these efforts often added swatches of another color, a technique called “Blockbuster” or “Roller.” Graffiti Wash, Blockbusters and Rollers are enjoyments when found and provided me inspiration for photography and painting. Please enjoy the slide show below on this art.

Photographs Paintings by: David Young ©  
Music: "Sunspark"

Dan-O at http://danosongs.com

"Note on a Back Wall"

"A Poem Left Alone"



BOSTON

I met my wife in the wilds of Montana. She was from the East and I the West. She introduced me to the East and her hometown Boston. For a westerner, the swirl of buldings, and transportation are adicting. It was the people though and her family that made the experience rich for me.

Photographs by David Young
Music "Forgive Me Great Spirit" by:

Dan-O at http://danosongs.com