The Positive Effects of Colour

Every week I spend a few hours in my studio preparing the colours for the international tapestry project, Fate, Destiny and Self Determination. There are over 400 shapes for the community woven tapestry so it's too large a task to undertake all at once. I number all the shapes with the corresponding colour and when people come and weave they just have to locate the right number to match the shape they are weaving , just like a paint by number! It's a great way for people who don't know each other to get acquainted, or sometimes just to have a few quiet and introspective moments. It's a great way for people who don't usually weave tapestry to give it a try. This week Kathy Fletcher on the left, and Patti Wibe on the right, joined our efforts to weave the communal component of this tapestry project. More shapes are trickling in and I'll post some next week.

The positive effects of colour on spirit and mood are becoming evident, and are corroborated by those who have come to work on this project. This is no surprise to me and am glad that more are becoming aware of its positive effects. Aristotle and other ancient scientists/philosophers have written on the nature of light and colour  but it was Isaac Newton who first observed that  light is  the source of  colour sensation. In 1810,  Goethe published his comprehensive Theory of Colors in which he ascribed physiological effects to colour which in turn impacts on our psychological state.

Each colour has associations and meaning for the various cultures across the globe. Colour psychology explores the effects of colour on our cognitive functioning and emotions. Various cultures and religious practices attribute healing properties to the various colours, such as Hinduism who make reference to them when discussing the Chakras. So come out to the Toronto Weaving School and get in boost in your well being by weaving on our community tapestry and meet a bunch of really great people and weavers!

Exhibitions
If you are travelling in the States (as we Canadians like to say) here are a few tapestry exhibitions you'll want to check out. The second one will also include other kinds of fibre creations. Inspiring indeed!
Small Tapestry International 3: Outside the Line
Handforth Gallery, Taacoma Public Library
Tacoma, Washington
Opening reception: June 29, 2013 2:00 - 4:00 pm
June 13- August 3 2013

Troy-Hayner Cultural Center
Troy, Ohio
www.troyhayner.org
September 27 - December 1, 2013

This exhibition is organized by the American Tapestry Alliance.

Small Expressions 2013 organized by the Handweavers Guild of America (HGA)
June 1 - September 7, 2013Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, Illinois  
Opening Reception: June 1, 2013, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Gallery Talk by Juror Laura Foster Nicholson: 7:00 p.m

Small Expressions is an annual international juried exhibition that features high quality, contemporary fiber art. The artworks showcase various techniques such as interlacing, felting, paper, beading, and embellishing done on a small scale. The exhibition is sponsored by the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. (HGA).

Laura Foster Nicholson, artist, designer, and owner of LFN Textiles, juried the exhibition. She selected work by 31 artists from 17 states and 3 countries.

Peggy Wiedemann, Basketmobile.

Photo: Jan Seeger

Pat Burns Wendland, who we'll be visiting next week, created  banners that will be a part of this exhibition at the Dufferin County Museum. More information about the exhibition at this link http://kenhallart.com/LegacyProject/