RED
Color stirs my soul. The full spectrum of color thrills my heart- enlightens my eyes. I recently stayed in a home filled with hundreds of Kaleidoscopes. I was nearly smitten by the colors and dancing patterns, the glorious light cascading over crystals and cut glass! But of all the colors, I think RED is my favorite.
Not any particular red—ALL the reds! Coral, watermelon, pastel pink, hot pink, raspberry, cranberry- even the names make my mouth water, not sure if it’s sweet or tangy, cool or hot, delicate or hard, approachable or offensive. Red can stir up your desire and make you melt with longing or make you turn away and hide your eyes so you don’t get hurt. Red is like a blazing sunset- short lived, rapturous, intense, pulsing between orange and hot pink, finally fading to a dull grayish pink as the sun lays her head on the mountains and closes her eyes. But before she drifts off, she’s a hot momma, fierce and orange and piercing and sizzling as she sets her mind to retire- almost as if she is fighting it.
Is the Sun a She or He? Definitely a She—and I love her rosy face when it is smoky. Like a smoldering alter-ego that she puts on with her smoking jacket and stiletto heels….so fashionably chic!
Red is everywhere- red rocks are actually more like terra cotta orange, but so warm and welcoming compared to cold blue stone. Red roses- such a symbol of passion and love!
Red lights: “hey! Be careful! Stop! Such intense danger, she cries!
And blood… the most radical red symbolizes life– and screams life in such an alarming way that it cannot be ignored!
All my favorite fruits are Red: cherry, raspberries, watermelon; yes, my three favorite fruits.
An older more mature Red is Cranberry, and always a safe bet. She’s strong and understated, holding her place, standing her ground. She’s a serious gal. But in a way you really like, knowing she’s got a fun side, when and if the timing and circumstances are just right.
But the innocence of Pink is always fresh and attractive, wholesome and sometimes shy. Makes you want to draw her out and stay awhile, and hope that her youth rubs off on you a little.
But for playful and joyous energy, I love Coral. So fresh and cool, softly bold, uncalculated, uncomplicated, and definitely not serious. It makes you want to dart about like little fishes in the surf, trying to play hide and seek while the water surges in and out….
So many images come to mind, filling my imagination, when I think about Red.
The Scarlet Letter,
A red rose,
The Golden Gate Bridge,
The red light district,
A clown’s nose,
My favorite Rainbow Rose…
A color like Red needs a photographic essay; a bouquet of words and shades and a close up of her face…. I wonder what shade she is today?
My Pinterest Board of Reds: http://www.pinterest.com/suzetteallen/reds/
A Picture of Hope 