Color Theory 21 - Purple

In the last episode of Color and Meaning we explored the color Blue.  I had a poll at the end of that post asking about how you use blue in your fiber art or quilting. Here are the results:

 

Today marks the end of the color theory series. I hope you have enjoyed these posts this year. I thoroughly enjoyed the time writing about my favorite topic: color! I’ll wrap it up today talking about the last of the Munsell primary colors.

 Purple

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.” 
― Alice Walker, The Color Purple

“Yeah, but they're PURPLE pants," Bobby said as if that made some kind of distinction. "Hence, I'm awesome.” 
― Amanda Hocking, Wisdom

“From a political angle, I’m trying to be apolitical if you will. I mean people say, ‘Are you a red state or a blue state?’, I say, ‘I’m purple.’ I think there are great ideas on both sides of the aisle and neither side has cornered the market.

Brad Thor

If you are a parent you will not be surprised to find out that purple is the favorite color of 75% of pre-adolescent children. Purple was the color of the first synthetic dye color made from coal tar. It is the color of royalty and conveys wealth and extravagance.

Lighter purple is romantic and nostalgic. Dark purples often evoke feelings of gloom.

 Purple is generally uplifting and calming. It can also be very spiritual and inspire creativity.

 Positive meanings

Wisdom

Dignity

Independence

Creativity

Mystery

Magic

Power

Nobility

 

Negative:

Gloom

Mystery (yes, both positive and negative)

Sadness

Frustration

 

In culture:

 The Purple Heart is an American military award of valor

Amethyst is sacred in Tibet

The Roman Emperor wore purple as a sign of his office, everyone else was forbidden from wearing the color

Christians associate purple with Advent and Lent

 

Purple phrases:

Purple prose

Purple heart

Purple haze

Purple people eater

Purple rain

 Although I am looking at some purple in a quilt on my design wall right now, I think I rarely use purple in quilts (except for scrap quilts). Of course I made a pink and purple quilt for my niece when she was about 8. Otherwise, I seem to avoid it. I don't hate it, it's just that I mostly make "blankets" and purple is not a common color in the decor of my friend's and family's homes. How about you, what do you think of purple and do you use it in your quilts?

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Color Theory 20 - Blue

Color Theory 19 - Green

Color Theory 18 - Yellow

Comments

[Gene Black]

My great niece would be sure to remind you that purple is a "princess color" LOL

I love purple and I love it more when it is next to a nice shade of green.

[elle]

Purple, as in eggplant, is starting to make a statement for me. Not the pale lilacs but a deep dark, rich almost black purple and I do use several brighter purples with browns.

[Tina in NJ]

I just finished a couple of embroidery designs (machine) to be made into pillows for my son's girlfriend, Asian designs on lavender. I drew the line at making the panda eating bamboo into a heart-shaped pillow. Merry Christmas to all.

[KathleenC]

My favorite color combo is purple and green... all purples side by side with any green. I don't even think about it, I just gravitate to it.
Your las tpoll made me think though... I like blue a lot, it's a beautiful color and I look great in it, but looking in my closet I realized I own little to no blue. So I made myself go out and buy a couple of blue tops.
Sometime you have to shake your self out of a rut you didn't even know you were in!

Have a very Happy Holiday season, and a great New Year to you and yours!

[Jody]

My bedroom is green with purple drapes and accents, so I have a lot of green and purple queen size quilts!

[Laceflower]

Purple seems to show up in my EQ designs a lot but I don't make quilts with purple as it wouldn't go with my decor. I do however have 4 purple coats! I seem to use purple as a break from my usual blues and blacks in my wardrobe.

[Laceflower]

I got sidetracked thinking about how so much purple got into my life and forgot to say thank you for the colour series; it was enjoyable and informative.

[Carie Shields]

I love purple! I almost always have some purple in every quilt I make for myself.

[Virtual Quilter]

Vicki,

Thank you for this series ... I am enjoying every bit, and linking to it in my Links to Lessons page so I can find it when I want it!

Merry Christmas and new year ... and look forward to keeping a watch on watch you are doing.

[Andrea]

Thanks so much for doing the color series this year! I've learned so much from it.

[Angelina K in CT]

Thanks a million for your posts about color and for hosting the challenge with Judy this (last!) year. I have learned so much, and I look forward to following your adventures in the future. Happy new year!