Sunday, November 13, 2011

Origami Window Decor + the Meaning of Brown - Art Every Day Month - Day 13

I'm starting to feel a bit under the weather, and didn't have much energy to work on the quilt I've been hoping to finish by the end of the month.

Instead, I made two more window stars for Thanksgiving. I'd like to decorate the window by the dining room table (there are three separate window panes - so I would like to put nine stars on the windows). 

I chose two easy patterns that I've made in other colors.

Two brown window stars.

I normally don't do many stars in brown. Most the stars I make are in the vivid colors of the rainbow. Yet, in looking at the stars, I'm thinking about doing some more in this color.

According to this website, "Brown represents wholesomeness and earthiness. While it might be considered a little on the dull side, it also represents steadfastness, simplicity, friendliness, dependability, and health." All good things...maybe that's why I'm drawn to these stars at this point in my life.

Eight-pointed brown window star.

On the Sensational Color website, it's noted that the color brown affects us physically by:

==> Suppling a feeling of wholesomeness

==> Stabilizing

==> Providing a connection with the earth

==> Giving a sense orderliness

The Sensational Color website also noted some interesting facts about the color brown around the globe:

==> In the United States, Thanksgiving is represented by brown and orange.

==> The Japanese do not have a specific word for brown. Rather, they use more descriptive names such as “tea-color," "fox-color," and "fallen-leaf.”

==> In India, brown is the color of mourning because it resembles dying leaves.

==> American Indians believe the color brown represents the power of self-discipline.

Back to the quilt for a moment: I have ideas for the remaining eight squares that will be hand-embroidered. Found a great resource on the internet that not only lists Minnesota's state symbols and gives a bit of information about them; but provides a coloring book with the outlines of each symbol.

Tomorrow, I'm going to print out the pages and modify the images so they can be used for the appliqued and embroidered quilt squares. I'd also like to cut out the 23 squares from fabric so I can start to lay out the quilt and see what it will start to look like. I'll see how I feel tomorrow...and what I'm able to accomplish.

8 comments:

Gwen said...

Brown is a very friendly colour and I like the idea of brown stars, why not? There are some very strange things out there in the univerese, think of 'dark matter' and 'black holes'...all the more reason to have 'brown stars'....
Gwen xx

Serena Lewis said...

I think the brown stars look lovely and they certainly don't look like an easy pattern. I'm in awe!

I enjoyed reading all about the colour - brown - thanks for the info. :)

Paula - Buenos Aires said...

Your quilt project sounds so interesting! Thanks for teh link about colours, I´ll have a look. It will be useful for interpreting art pieces.

Carolyn Dube said...

I had never thought about what the colors mean before - after reading your post about brown I think it is the perfect color for the Thanksgiving holiday!

Jennibellie said...

These are lovely, thanks so much for sharing, hope you feel better soon, hugs Jennibellie x

gatheringwonder said...

really cool art

Shayla said...

That resource on color is fascinating. While I know the North American reaction to brown, I didn't know how it was viewed by the other cultures you mentioned.

WrightStuff said...

What fascinating insight into the colour brown! For me it reminds me of my brown school uniform!