So apparently I have “tetrachromacy” vision. Or, as my mom would say, “you see colors that I don’t…”

Most people are “trichromats” with three cone types (red, green, and blue) and see about one million colors.

A “tetrachromat” are individuals that have a fourth cone type, are often sensitive to yellow-green or orange light and allow them to see up to 100 million colors and can perceive vastly more subtle variations and shifts within light.

I recently took one of those “test your eyesight” tests to see how many colors I could see and I guess I was not surprised that it showed that I saw every shift in hue. I makes me realize that I see the world in a slightly different way from most people and as an artist, that is very helpful. And I also realize that when my students say they don’t see a particular color change, it may be because they literally don’t.

So if you have been following along the last few posts you know I moved into a new loft apartment. When I did, I got this standing pantry from a friend who was moving out of her apartment. Now that I have room for a small storage unit like this, I bought it from her. But in my typical oversensitivity to color, it drives me a bit nuts.

White wall. White pantry. But one is cool and one is warm.

All colors lean toward either yellow or blue. It is a fact of nature and a tricky thing to be mindful of as a painter especially since we have to deliberately mix up those subtle nuances in nature with shifts of paint. Paint little kids anyone? Success there is all about subtle, subtle, shifts of color. I am always looking for those tiny shifts in paintings that I admire too and so over the years I feel like studying and craving those differences has trained my eyes to not only see them, but recognize and recreate those shifts too. It really is a specific skill and I have spent years honing it, but I guess I have been given a larger range to see than most people too. (one more thing to be grateful for)

And this shift in whites in my kitchen feels huge to me. The wall is blue-based and the pantry is yellow-based. Enough so that even shifting color dominaces of the light coming in from my windows throughout the day does not eliminate the temperature contrast. It feels like mismatched shoes that are both black, but a different style. I recognize it as uncomfortable each time I pass by.

So I guess I will be painting the pantry when I get a chance. Hmm… what color? I am up for suggestions. Since the wall is huge it will be easier to paint the pantry, what color do you think?

It may be a year or two though.  I have other things to paint.

And speaking of painting, my solo show “Passages” is still up at the Center Stage Theatre in downtown Greenville.  I hope you get to pop by before it closes. Also, my new studio is having a “soft launch” this upcoming weekend and I woud like to invite all of you to visit me! This Friday night from 4- 8 pm Beacon Studios will be open to the public and you are welcome to come and visit me and my new second home.  There will be food and music and you can meet some of the other artists. A reclaimed church in West Greenville will be housing 8 professional artists or photographers. Find us at Beacon Studios at 31 Burdette Street, Greenville SC 29611.

And as long as you are out and about, you can walk over to the Brandon Mill loft (where I live) where I have also curated a showing of artwork from 14 artists from all over Greenville. Last year I decided that the artwork in my cotton-mill home was really sucky (nails on a chalkboard bad) and so the management let me put together a showing of work from local artists. This will be round 2. We will have free wine, food, a cellist and a performance at 7:00 from Full Body Opera. Trust me, if you have never been close to an opera singer when they let it rip you are in for a treat. Plus, all the artwork is for sale. The Brandon Mill is at 25 Draper Street, Greenville SC, 20611. 6-8 pm. 

How will I be at two places at once you ask?  Not sure. I am pretty magical though. I hope to catch you on Friday night at either of my homes.  See ya then.