The Color Is Purple

I had a fellow artist remark not long ago about how I use purple in my paintings.  He did not approve.  Hummm?  It may not be his choice but it is mine.  I happen to see purple…of various shades.  Pale, reddish, bluish, dark, light, vibrant.

Spring seems to be a time of purple, to me.  Delicate flowers in bloom, field and woods.  Some pale, some vibrant.  The soft haze of purple over the budding trees.  The deep purple of stormy skies rolling in late in the afternoon. 

Purple is said to be a royal color. The highest.  But I find it to be calming, delicate.  It appears everywhere if I look for it.  It does not have to be loud or garish.  It can be soothing and comforting. 

I love the overpowering perfume of the lilacs.  I bring them into the house and then my eyes almost water at their presence.  But the beautiful lilacs are only around for a few weeks a year, heralds of spring.

The violets of many colors.  Deep purple, light purple, violet, variegated, even creamy white.  Many consider them weeds but I don’t see how.  Such beautiful little flowers.

The Jacob’s Ladder and Viper’s Bugloss that only appear this time of year.  Near the front porch or just about anywhere.  I love these surprises.  They’re aren’t planned but I allow them to pop up wherever they may. 

I have several patches of irises around the property.  Some deep bluish purple, some lighter.  Then there are the multi-colored ones, and the striking white ones.  The scent of the irises invite one to get up close and inhale deeply.  There is no other flower perfume quite like it. 

So what my artist friend thought to be a slight snub or negative comment did not affect me that way.  I’m not quite sure how to interpret it.  As an insult?  Well, no.  I guess he just doesn’t like the color purple.  And that’s okay. 

I do.