Sensational Color Pro Kate Smith's Online Color Journal » black

Welcome Karen Platt: Gardener Extraordinaire

Kate Smith — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:32:43 +0000

I have been a big fan of Karen Platt ever since she ignited gardener’s desire for dark plants with her much acclaimed book, Black Magic and Purple Passion. I believe that she was the catalyst that brought about the black plant phenomenon first in the UK then worldwide.

You can just imagine how thrilled I was when Karen agreed to be a featured contributor to Sensational Color. Karen will be writing articles based on her color book series that represent all colors used in the garden. Each of Karen’s books offers a blueprint on which plants to choose and how to use them and I think we can look forward to her keen insights on how to bring new colors into our gardens.

The first article is Color in the Garden – Black and if you’re like me by the time you finish reading it you’ll want to grab the book or ebook and start thinking about how you might add a little Black Magic to your garden.

California to Ban Black Cars?

Kate Smith — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:29:41 +0000

News that California may ban the sale of black cars for climate protection reasons has many in an uproar.

I enjoyed this picture and the comments on Tech Crunch.

Others adding their voice to the conversation include:

New Scientist

AutoBlogGreen

The Truth About Cars

A bit of background: In 2006, California adopted the

Color Quote of the Day: March 15th

Kate Smith — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:05:00 +0000

“I fell in love with black; it contained all color. It wasn’t a negation of color… Black is the most aristocratic color of all… You can be quiet, and it contains the whole thing.”

Louise Nevelson

Color Quote of the Day: February 20th

Kate Smith — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:05:57 +0000

“The great black and white draftsman, the sculptor, and the blind man know that form and color are separate. The form itself is what the blind man knows… Color is surface skin that fits over the form.”

John Sloan

Brangelina Go Amish

Kate Smith — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:18:12 +0000

Sometimes style and color just come together in such a way that they instantly bring something to mind. Branding and advertising experts use this fact to their advantage all of the time. Sometimes the instant association is not so postive.

In Julie’s post Colors of the SAG Awards- who got it right? she points out that the perfectly coordinated colors and simple styles worn by Brad and Angelina reminder her of an Amish couple. Well I couldn’t help but roar with laughter over that one because she was absolutely right!

This sent me on a quick search to remind myself of exactly what the Amish garb looks like and I think I found the inspiration for their SAG Awards attire. Other than leaving the headwear at home I think Brad and Angelina look like a perfect Amish couple. What do you think?

I laughed even harder when I realized that

Color Quote of the Day: January 25th

Kate Smith — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:05:39 +0000

“There is an undeniable virtue to a true black; allowing the brain to be mesmerized and pulling the pupils deep into that unfound but sensed abyss.”

Jamie Lavin
Contemporary American Artist

Pat in Pink

Kate Smith — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:32:30 +0000

In Washington I have met many lovely woman but few who radiate warmth and grace the way Pat Skantz does.

Always quick with a smile from beneath one of her signature hats she lights up any room.

Pat is always perfectly put together but today her bright pink suit, print hat and matching wrap along with burgundy suede boots looked so

Color Quote of the Day: January 19th

Kate Smith — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:05:21 +0000

“Of all the hues, reds have the most potency. If there is one electric blue, a dozen reds are so charged. Use them to punctuate white, burn into bronzes, or dynamite black.”

Jack Lenor Larsen

Color Quote of the Day: January 16th

Kate Smith — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:05:16 +0000

“Any color, so long as it’s black.”

Henry Ford

Color Quote of the Day: January 1, 2009

Kate Smith — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:30:06 +0000

“Don’t order any black things. Rejoice in his memory; and be radiant: leave grief to the children. Wear violet and purple. Be patient with the poor people who will snivel: they don’t know; and they think they will live for ever, which makes death a division instead of a bond.”

George Bernard Shaw
Irish born playwright who lived most of his life in London, England, 1856-1950