I've never denied my bias: I love being a Washingtonian and hailing from the Evergreen State. As much as you can miss a license plate, I do. Those of my youth sported iridescent piney greens (https://dannyslicenseplates.com/washingtonhistory/). When the state updated to some gawd-awful red-white-and-blue centennial BS, I remember being *offended*. We're the Evergreen State-- where's the freaking green!?
I'm not a pub trivia guy who can tell you state birds and gems, but I know that our state flower is the Rhododendron, which you can see pretty much everywhere. But the best place? Glad everybody asked. When I was younger, I performed in Kismet as part of the Mountaineers, and this ragtag group performs in a forest amphitheatre surrounded by a Rhododendron preserve. I know we use the term "magical" a lot, but it is a magical place: https://www.foresttheater.com/about-us/our-story.
I search museum websites, wikiart, and look through my art books at home. I love finding pieces for these posts - it’s one of the best parts of the process!
Love this article about... Green. Even though it was last year's colour I have embraced Green this year. As the world gets crazier I want my environment to be a refuge filled with parks, forests, gardens and anywhere I can walk that is green. This keeps me sane. So... I'm bringing all that green into my house. Bringing the forest to me.
I have always loved green. I did not realize it was "the color of the year" until I read your piece. I am a May baby and I embraced Emeralds and Emerald green years ago. My Subaru Forrester is green. My work bag, green. My puffer jacket, green. Anyway, maybe I was unknowingly embracing my rebellious witchy side!
Pines create amazing environments in harsh winter, sheltering wildlife and sometimes people.
The color, deep pine green, has soothed us after a tumultuous life the last several years; school shootings, corrupt government officials, COVID and other tragedies.
This was so beautifully written. Thank you for bringing colors so to life for me! I have long loved bold colors and vibrant interiors, and have spent too long seeing it all washed out in “fashionable “ design. It was a joy to have that love reignited.
I love this article, very interesting and so learned. A good way for me to read in English (I’m Italian) something very special. I’ll came back to you! Thanks
After a couple of weeks being immersed in a design challenge featuring that Mocha Mousse (late seventies anyone?), reading your article is like a sigh of relief. I live in Portland, Oregon and our house is surrounded with a variety of pines, firs, and rhododendrons. Now I'm dying to go out and bring in branches to compare the greens. I do love the dark, pure green color. Thank you for your article.
That deep almost black green enchants me. I like to mix it with watercolor paints. This is my first time reading you and I love your perspective. Thank you. 🌲
Wow. My first introduction to your work. How fabulous! I’ve been drawn to the rebellious, acidic nature of certain greens. I have for 2 years been yearning for it. I want to dress in it, decorate with it. Paint with it. Radioactive, oozing and present. ❤️ Thank you for the lovely inspiration
I've never denied my bias: I love being a Washingtonian and hailing from the Evergreen State. As much as you can miss a license plate, I do. Those of my youth sported iridescent piney greens (https://dannyslicenseplates.com/washingtonhistory/). When the state updated to some gawd-awful red-white-and-blue centennial BS, I remember being *offended*. We're the Evergreen State-- where's the freaking green!?
I'm not a pub trivia guy who can tell you state birds and gems, but I know that our state flower is the Rhododendron, which you can see pretty much everywhere. But the best place? Glad everybody asked. When I was younger, I performed in Kismet as part of the Mountaineers, and this ragtag group performs in a forest amphitheatre surrounded by a Rhododendron preserve. I know we use the term "magical" a lot, but it is a magical place: https://www.foresttheater.com/about-us/our-story.
Where do you encounter all the art you feature in your posts?
(Loved this, by the way🌲）
I search museum websites, wikiart, and look through my art books at home. I love finding pieces for these posts - it’s one of the best parts of the process!
Oooh thank you!! It really brings such a lovely element to your pieces, I’d like to try it with my own writing 🥹🥹
I love your pieces - I very much look forward to reading them
This is so kind, thank you. 💚
Love this article about... Green. Even though it was last year's colour I have embraced Green this year. As the world gets crazier I want my environment to be a refuge filled with parks, forests, gardens and anywhere I can walk that is green. This keeps me sane. So... I'm bringing all that green into my house. Bringing the forest to me.
"Bringing the forest to me."
Like that phrase
I live in Vermont among uncountable, huge sentinal pines.🌲🌲🌲
I have always loved green. I did not realize it was "the color of the year" until I read your piece. I am a May baby and I embraced Emeralds and Emerald green years ago. My Subaru Forrester is green. My work bag, green. My puffer jacket, green. Anyway, maybe I was unknowingly embracing my rebellious witchy side!
I'm a May baby, too!
Wow, you are SO cool. The Substack Weekender gave me a taste of this post and I'm glad I came to finish it. So delicious, refreshing, inspiring.
Thank you so much, Jessica! I love writing these color stories <3
You should research ancient northern mythology.
Pines create amazing environments in harsh winter, sheltering wildlife and sometimes people.
The color, deep pine green, has soothed us after a tumultuous life the last several years; school shootings, corrupt government officials, COVID and other tragedies.
It nurtures our personal purity.
Go hug a pine, you'll see what I mean.
That Eyvind Earle print is just..hypnotizing. Really really enjoyed this, Katy. Thank you 💚
This was so beautifully written. Thank you for bringing colors so to life for me! I have long loved bold colors and vibrant interiors, and have spent too long seeing it all washed out in “fashionable “ design. It was a joy to have that love reignited.
I love this article, very interesting and so learned. A good way for me to read in English (I’m Italian) something very special. I’ll came back to you! Thanks
“charlie xcx”
After a couple of weeks being immersed in a design challenge featuring that Mocha Mousse (late seventies anyone?), reading your article is like a sigh of relief. I live in Portland, Oregon and our house is surrounded with a variety of pines, firs, and rhododendrons. Now I'm dying to go out and bring in branches to compare the greens. I do love the dark, pure green color. Thank you for your article.
I want to visit Oregon so badly. I've never been but I feel like I'd love it. I lived in Maine for a decade and I miss it every single day.
That deep almost black green enchants me. I like to mix it with watercolor paints. This is my first time reading you and I love your perspective. Thank you. 🌲
Delightful color read - thank you!
I've always liked pine green.
Wow. My first introduction to your work. How fabulous! I’ve been drawn to the rebellious, acidic nature of certain greens. I have for 2 years been yearning for it. I want to dress in it, decorate with it. Paint with it. Radioactive, oozing and present. ❤️ Thank you for the lovely inspiration
"Radioactive, oozing and present" YES