Blue is never more blue than it is when paired with orange. And the orange is never bluer than when eaten on a cloud in the sky.
Jarod Kintz
It started from the first view of the Montbretia filled hedgerows along the Dingle Peninsula, now orange is everywhere…..
Opposite colours on the colour wheel, orange and blue will always zing zestily together. Colour theory says that combining these complimentary colours creates maximum vibrance and impact. Think yellow and purple or red and green too.
Orange glows with warmth and fire. It’s the colour of summer, sunsets, hope. The Cycle against Suicide Campaign have adopted orange as their colour for World Suicide Prevention Day. Their slogan “It’s OK not to feel OK” is simple and brilliant.
Look out for their #LetsGoOrange projects this week, and embrace the orange and the blue……
It IS okay not to feel okay. I love this slogan and I hope it takes off. Because our American culture drives me nuts. This shiny bright penny of a life is not the way most people live if they are honest. The world is hard. People struggle. We must own it. As for your photos, gorgeous. I have a variation in my house: I love deep purple/blues with my oranges and golds. My home is full of those combos in pillows, pieces I've woven, even a deep Italian red/orange wall with purple velvet seats on the chairs. I love love love those combinations. When I learned about it on the color wheel, it was an ah-ha moment. Thanks as always for your brilliant words and photos. Thanks also for being real. Everyday I think of the plight of refugees. It brings me to my knees with sadness.
Thank you Susie! Lovely to hear about your tricks with the complimentary colours. I love the combo of teal and gold, purple and orange and all kinds of variations. I'd be fascinated to see your deep Italian red/orange wall!!! It has been an incredible journey for the refugees and they are now arriving safely in cities all over Europe. This has changed our world for the foreseeable future. I can't wait to meet them when they finally get to Ireland we expect 4/5,000 soon. Witnessing it all on TV and social media I think has created real understanding that wasn't there before….in most but not all parts of Europe. x
Maybe I can find a way to send you a pic of our wall–it is beautifully described by Diana (below), that deep terracotta red. It took me four, FOUR ,coats of paint to get the richness I wanted. The top coat was done with a special brush made from horsehair, (a "stipple" brush) and with it I applied a copper that just shows iin certain light. The refugee crisis has me riveted. I believe it will change the world for the better and I pray that many people, especially children, will be able to have lives safe from the horrors of war and the crimes against the people of Syria. I wish the U.S. were doing a better job. You must be proud of Ireland. Germany has surprised the world I believe, by having such an open and inviting program for the refugees. At least for the time being, perhaps until their resources are strained, I don't know. (How I wish the media would stop saying "migrants.") This is clearly a refugee crisis.
our first two houses had one deep red, terracotta, wall.
This time it is all quietly mocha.
I'm learning to love the Montbretia I inherited (have to, it spears up everywhere!)
Your colours remind me of the Mediterranean countries…….mocha even….
The Montbretia just goes wild here…..but I love it too, Diana.
The opposite colors make for very beautiful photographs. All of yours that you shared today are just outstanding. I too hope this slogan just takes off because it is so fitting. I didn't realize that Ireland was expecting so many refugees at this time. It is such a sad situation and breaks my heart….
Nancy although it is really heartbreaking it is also inspiring to see them make the long journey. These are amazing people and I think wherever they end up they will make a positive impact. As for the rest of us it's giving us all food for thought about the privilege of living in a peaceful country and having the luxury of enjoying the beauty of the world on a September morning. Thank you Nancy!
I just love, love, love your first photo. So beautiful! And a fitting color and slogan for a worthy campaign.
Thanks Indie. It was taken on Inch beach in County Kerry where the flags always remind me of the prayer flags of the Himalayas! Not that I've ever been there….maybe some day…:~))
Wow, I don't know that I've thought about the contrasting yet complementing friendship between blue and orange. These are lovely!
Mary Anne, it definitely creates a vibrant effect. Trouble is once you start seeing these colour combinations it's hard to stop noticing them everywhere……but it makes a great change from all that green I am usually surrounded by too!
Incredible vibrant coulours! Your post is very inspiring and I've just started knitting in ornage and blue!
Orange and blue you could sing that! I'd love to see that scarf!!
I'm a bit late to this post Catherine, but just wanted to say I love how you have illustrated the opposites and such an important message.
Thanks Jane. Sometimes it's great to look a bit closer. I've been enjoying the zingy orange myself, gets me away from all that green I guess!!!
I was mesmerized by the orange here…it is fabulous with blue isn't it. And a wonderful mesage!
As a gardener Donna, I can't imagine where it would work? The green would totally through it off? I think maybe autumn leaves against the blue sky is the place?