I only wear black. Occasionally I’ll throw in a muted color but I still have on mostly black. If I want a splash of unexpected color, it will be in my lime green, pink, or red shoes. I wear no jewelry; no rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces or watch. As an artist, it just gets in the way. I do, however, have a tiny gold earring in the top part of my ear, which is not the usual spot.

My wearing of all black puzzles some people. They say, “But you are an artist, don’t you like color?” My response, “I LOVE color but I am the paintbrush that paints my world with magnificent brilliant color all around me. You should see my house. Every room is a different color.

You might think this choice is boring but I assure you that just because someone wears all black does not mean they are not style conscious. It inspires me to be more creative with my choices to put together a unique outfit. My “colors” in black are textures. Silk, linen, gauze, corduroy and cotton. I only wear natural fibers, however I probably have some leggings with a hint of spandex. Gotta smooth those curves. I have one black with white polka dots blouse but that is as radical as I get. I don’t like patterned fabric unless of course it is black on black. Plus, black is classic and it goes with everything, making pairing options basically limitless. I am at my most comfortable and confident when wearing a sleek, black outfit.

Now let’s clear up a big myth. Most people think that black is the absence of color. NO. White is the absence of color. Black is the absorption of all color and the absence of light. Black hides, while white brings to light. What black covers, white uncovers. We all use black at various times to hide from the world around us in one way or another. Some of us use it to hide our weight; others among us use it to hide our feelings, our fears or our insecurities. But I just happen to like it. In color psychology, black means power and control. Okay, I’ll take that. But, seriously, I just really, really like it.

Psychology goes on to say that “black implies self-control and discipline, independence and a strong will, and giving an impression of authority and power. Black absorbs negative energy. It is useful to carry something black with you to protect you from harm and negativity when traveling or when going about your usual daily activities outside your home. People who like black may be conventional, conservative and serious, or they may think of themselves as being sophisticated or very dignified. The color black is often seen as a color of sophistication, as in ‘the little black dress’, or ‘the black tie event’. Affluent and success orientated women often choose black as it can give an impression of elegance, sophistication and confidence. Wearing all black is more than just a sartorial choice. There’s a very certain kind of person to whom an entirely black wardrobe appeals, and they tend to be driven, honest, self-empowering and unapologetic about it all. Black is the end, but the end always implies a new beginning. When the light appears, black becomes white, the color of new beginnings.

Now, in case you are wondering, I adore colorful, striped, dotted, plaids and patterned clothes on all those around me. In fact everything around me. Remember, I am the paintbrush.

My niece sent me this article written by Brianna Wiest from thoughtcatalog.com that just about sums it up about me:

Eleven Reasons Why Women Who Wear All Black Are Never To Be Messed With

1. Women who wear all black lead very colorful lives.They tend to be driven and hardworking and balance out all the chaos in their sartorial choices.

2. According to a study, they’re perceived as more attractive, successful and confident. People who wear black are powerful – plain and simple, and they tend to command respect, too.

3. They have a “walk softly, carry a large stick” mentality. They’re unassuming. They do not need your approval, but they will make sure you recognize what they do and what kind of impact they have on others.

4. They value self-empowerment above all else.They are not the kind of people you want to complain to, their response will just be an example of how you could take back control of your life.

5. They care more about being themselves than buying into trends. They see every aspect of their lives as a potential avenue of self-expression, and they are never ones to just “follow the crowd” on anything.

6. They’re straightforward. If you ask for their opinion, you are going to get it – not an altered idea of what they think you want to hear.

7. They’re straightforward. If you ask for their opinion, you are going to get it – not an altered idea of what they think you want to hear.

8. They are a terrifying combination of elegant and intimidating. If there is anything scarier than a graceful woman who is in equal parts a raging, unstoppable badass, I’ll believe it when I see it.

9. They are not afraid to edit their lives.Friends, jobs, relationships, outfits – if something isn’t working, they believe life is too short to hold onto anything mediocre.

10. They don’t care if you don’t like them.They do not act with the intention of winning over your praise, they’d rather be true to themselves.

11. They care more about what they do than what they look like. It’s because they care so much about what they do that they always want to look sleek and put-together, but also that they don’t want to waste their energy on things that they don’t value much.

And that’s why I only wear black.

 

 

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