It's not all black and white
Re-sharing "Color averse?"
Today’s post is one I shared with paid subscribers a few months ago. Have a colorful weekend - the first of summer (or winter for my friends and readers south of the equator)! ~JRC
Color averse? No, but I use it sparingly - here's why
First published February 20th, 2023, as a paid subscribers story
My favorite color is black.
Okay, I understand that "black" is technically not a color; it is the absence of any color. (Just as white is "all the colors.") But still, in a practical context, black is part of the pallet of available hues we select from in everything from clothes to cars.
By and large, when given an option, I choose black.
My car is black. So too, is my bicycle. My "uniform" shirt of choice - black. Black boots. Black belt. Even black underwear. (TMI?)
I choose black so often that, at times, I start to think I’m color averse.
I'm not sure when it started, but I've had a fondness for this, the darkest of colors, for the longest of times.
As a teen, my wardrobe was more diverse. Neon colors were a thing in the 80s. I even had a purple truck at one point. (I got a great deal on it, probably because no one wanted a purple truck.) But over time, I moved away from such flamboyance and settled into a very comfortable, albeit dark, personal expression that I retain to this day.
Black is where it's at for me. But there is a dark side to all this lack of color. And it manifests in losing my stuff among all the other black stuff in my life.
Black gear in a black bag is a terrible idea. Things get lost in there as if it were an actual black hole - once stuff enters, it never escapes. It's a pain to sort in vain for something you know is there but can't manage to see.
In recent years, I have diversified my spectrum a bit. A rather uncharacteristic (for me) "minty green" I use as my business and shop theme color. It's akin to "hospital green" and was common during the mid-twentieth century on everything from institution walls to shop tools. My particular variety is the hexadecimal color code #84C19A, and I have taken to calling it "sci-fi green" as an homage to the science fiction b-movies of the same era. (I've written about it a few times in this newsletter.)
I use sci-fi green on my website as well as here on Substack (see the link’s color above). Same with invoices for my business. Sci-fi green shows up in my shop, too, occasionally in infrastructure builds and other projects. It's a nice gentle way to show my identity without going overboard. And the color looks great with black, too, so it fits into my world nicely.
I do like other colors as well. Orange is one I particularly enjoy. I love the combination of orangish natural wood and leather paired with blueish metals. And when I make things for others, I often eschew black in favor of shades I feel the recipient would appreciate more. It's liberating, in a way, to make gifts - I get to use the rainbow without any real commitment to it.
Color is wonderful. I enjoy seeing expressive splashes everywhere. Mexican culture here in SoCal, for example, is the opposite of black, and I love it. The clothes, the cars, the buildings - and of course the people - it's all quite beautiful to take in. Similarly, in cooking, I feel as if I've succeeded when the final dish I make is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. And decorating a lovely table in accompaniment for such a satisfying meal is always good. But in not overdoing it, leading a more quieted life, it screams when I use color. And I like that.
Perhaps that's it - I reserve the use of color more than fear it. Too much color can be like swearing - "colorful" language loses its power when overused. So I like to stick with a muted pallet and spice things up occasionally to make a point.
No, I'm not color averse. Much to the contrary, I love it. But I enjoy the subtle way I use it in my style and the things I create. When I branch out from black, I mean it. And that’s the color of life that resonates with me.
Until next time.
JRC
What does it mean when someone’s favorite color is black?
When someone's favorite color is black, it typically suggests certain preferences, emotions, or characteristics associated with that color. Here are some possible interpretations:
Elegance and Sophistication: Black is often associated with sophistication and elegance. People who favor black may have a refined taste and appreciate a sense of style and luxury.
Individuality and Mystery: Black is often seen as a color that stands out from the crowd. Individuals who choose black as their favorite color may value their uniqueness and enjoy maintaining an air of mystery or intrigue.
Strength and Authority: Black is a color often associated with power and authority. People who prefer black may be drawn to these qualities and may exhibit confidence and a desire to take charge.
Emotional Depth and Introspection: Black can symbolize depth and introspection, representing a person's ability to explore their own emotions and thoughts. Individuals with black as their favorite color might be more contemplative, introspective, or emotionally inclined.
Simplicity and Minimalism: Black is also associated with simplicity and minimalism. People who appreciate black may have a preference for clean aesthetics, straightforwardness, and a desire to avoid unnecessary complexity.
It's important to note that color preferences can be subjective, and these interpretations are generalizations. Each individual may have their own unique reasons for favoring black, so it's best to consider personal experiences and context when trying to understand someone's color preferences.
[from ChatGPT 😊😊😊]