Blog
Off Color. This blog article is about sex.
Some of you may recall that in 2006, shortly after I cast off my leg cast, I sent this email out to some girl friends.
Girls...As you all know, I've just completed a rather challenging three months of limited activity. The biggest frustration was not being able to do simple things. On one memorable occasion, in my incapacity, I asked Bob to bring me my chartreuse sweater. He dutifully delivered a purple sweater. I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or reconsider those vows. In my most patient voice, forced by considerable restraint, I described, pointed, and verbally directed him to the proper garment. His reply was, "Guys only need to know five colors. I'll bet the Duke didn't know what color chartreuse is."
And, to further claim his male right to ignorance, he conducted a survey among his friends; all of whom, I might add, have matriculated well beyond the sixth grade. Larry said chartreuse is purple, Richard said it was purplish pink, Richard's son-in-law said it was purple, Jim said it was purple, and Dan said it was purple. This is true.
I can only conclude that men confuse their hues. They just don't know chartreuse from puce.
My girl friends' responses validated the notion that men are less likely to correctly describe chartreuse. They queried their husbands and one husband said "pinkish brown, another said it was bright pink, and two of his friends claimed it was purple. Only one man, who thought for a while, said "it is green, right?" I never thought, until then, that men had a problem with colorful language.
Chick Curtis August 2015
Fast Forward to 2015. Earlier this month I had the honor of painting the portrait of an artist that I admire, Chick Curtis. We were in an uninstructed workshop setting at a local museum, where he sat and we painted. As I squinted and gazed, I enjoyed painting vibrant oranges and blues and strong values. As Chick sat, he occasionally offered thoughtful artist insights. I was particularly interested in his thoughts about how men and women see color differently. Chick said that he believes that women see color better than non-artist men.
Recalling my 2006 experience, I wanted to know more. So, I sent a message to Chick a few days ago and asked if he could explain his comments about gender color perception. He replied…
My comments about men and color were stirred up from things I've read here and there about studies saying that women have much more sensitivity than most men in identifying subtle differences in hues, particularly in the warmer spectrum. I was exposed to color discussions all my life because my mother was an artist who talked about her color choices when we kids watched her paint. My opinion is that women are really good about color identification and most men are so-so. Has something to do with the number of photo chemicals in the brain. Women often have more of them which allows them to perceive differences in the color spectrum with more nuance. I'm sure I don't see color as well as many women, but because I grew up around painting, I was primed to see color a lot better than most men.
And we all thought color issues were racial. No, they are clearly related to gender. Perhaps men are not only less articulate about colors but they are also less able to see colors. Either way, there is certainly a male / female discrepancy in color proficiency.
Oh Brothers and Sisters, Where Art Thou? I have posted more than sixty articles on this blog…all about my art experiences and my points of view. Even though I am not always the subject, I am the voice. So, this particular article is a request of sorts.
If my blog template would allow it, I would ask you to write the article and I would write the comments. You would tell me your thoughts about art and your art experiences. You would tell me your point of view. I would comment by asking questions, letting you know that I love your ideas, learning from you, bantering with you, and applauding your sharing.
So…even though I cannot physically flip this article, let’s turn it upside down in spirit. I want comments, long or short, from each of you. If you are an artist: What do you do? Where is your website? If you are a connoisseur or curious: What are your art thoughts? What interests you? Where you have been and what have you seen?
And, finally, give me feedback and suggestions. What would you like to read? What should I skip? I want your ideas and thoughts. After all, my blog is produced largely in a vacuum. Help me by introducing fresh air.
Yours. Truly.
