Yesterday in The Nu Romantics, I asked a question about the color red. It went something like: Look wherever you are and find the closest thing to you that is red. What is it? And what does it say about you? and I discussed my red bag and its "baggage," both literal and figurative. It was fascinating to read everyone's responses, and those of us who embrace red; and those of us who do not. It says a lot more about us than we think. (Join our Facebook page to read everyone's responses). And at first, I thought it might be a fun activity, just to see what kinds of things people have around them, the small, the big, the deep and the superficial. And really, it sort of turned into a philosophical idea for me. In an earlier post this year, I wrote about the color pink (See Post Here), in the sense of breaking the stereotype about pink, that pink is not necessarily a “girlie” color, and that even if it were, what’s wrong with being a girl or feminine and embracing all those traits that come with it, like empathy and sensitivity for instance? And then, after I conducted the exercise in The Nu Romantics, I began to ponder the very fact that I own a lot of red accessories. Yes. I love fashion. If you’ve been following my new page and Fashion Fridays, you know that already. And I own a ton of scarves and shoes and funky jewelry so that any outfit can suddenly become spectacular, even when it isn’t. But I’m realizing something else about this. It’s really not that at all. Like pink, red comes with its own symbolic value. While pink equates to love and feminine traits by all accounts, red equates with a vibrant energy, one that is tied to sexuality and even lust. Read more on color and symbolism. I am a very sexual person –what was it I wrote in a poem the other day? I have a "broadhead’s sexuality"? (My poetry page)…and perhaps that is partly why I like the color red on my body in the form of clothing, but not so loud that it overtakes me. It’s just a "pop of color," right? Perhaps, too, that is why I love to wear lipstick in all shades of red, even naming my first poetry collection Ruin My Lipstick for goodness sake! I used to think it was because “it looked good with my complexion.” But really, doesn’t it simply match what swollen lips look like after a night of passionate kissing, our cheeks the same rosy hue during and after the heat of love-making? So okay. Red is a sexual color. And I am a sexual, passionate person. But why then only a pop? Why not go all out? We know why. I have repression issues. 😊 Don’t worry. I’m working on it. Perhaps I use it like a sign to let people know. Hey! I may seem sweet and innocent…but…you see this 'pop'?... All kidding aside. I have psychoanalyzed it further. (Why? Because that’s how my mind works!) And so, it’s much more than sexual energy sneaking its way into my world. It’s a life-long stifling from parents and society. If pink is my favorite color, is it because I think it should be? I’m a girl. Girls should act a certain way, right? WRONG! But growing up, that was the case. Couple that with a mother who told me: “You’re not a boy. Stop being loud,” I became a rather shy gal, easily embarrassed, that embarrassment I’ve written about before, where I can feel it right on the outside of my ears. And so maybe red, to me, doesn’t only mean sexuality alone, but instead, maybe it’s my way to rebel, to let go a little, to scream without screaming, you know? And if red is rebellion, then guess what? It’s starting to work, because I have never felt more alive and "seen" than I have these last several months. And so, as I get ready to re-release my Natalie’s Edge series, Edge of Torment (Title voted by you--thank you again!), why should I choose any other color than red for my cover? It’s bold. It’s powerful, and damn it, I don’t want to be quiet about it. I have ditched my first concept, because, for a change, I want to be completely and utterly red, proud, and out loud, for all to see.
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11/19/2020 13:47:42
This blog reminded me of one I wrote about the power of red, so I have resurrected it on my TL. Colour is very important to me, as you may have already realised from the graphics I make. I find grey and brown to be dreary. Instead I love bold, bright colours (and yes, that’s how we spell colour in the UK. ) Bright colours fill me with optimism and hope. But I know that other people have different tastes in colours. My great friend and travelling companion, on coming down for dinner wherever we are staying, dressed tastefully in, perhaps, a black dress and a single string of pearls, and seeing me in a multi-coloured dress, with necklace, bracelet and matching ear-rings, says (in jest of course!) less is more, J. But my attitude is, if you’ve got it, flaunt it. No one has ever accused me of having good taste! (Except in my choice of friends, of course! As they are all impeccably tasteful.
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I LOVE to write and read. I particularly enjoy reading erotic romance that has tons of emotion in it. I hope you will ask me questions and share your favorite authors and novels. I welcome all feedback.
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