Black makes me think of death and darkness. The absence of peace and all that is good. It also makes me think of depression and moodiness. Deep inner sorrow and soul emptiness. A few other things come to mind when I think of black are evil, wickedness and injustice. The absence of God and all the contents of a Pandora’s box.
Black, however, is also a colour that is made up of all other colours, excluding white, so its meaning isn’t all bad. For example, black clothing is very slimming for the figure. It portrays an air of sophistication and is associated with elegance and even mystery.
Looking at black on an individual and very personal level, I see black as the dance of death and the dance of life. The song of sorrow and the song that produces joy. My greatest enemy, but also my best friend. As a Christian, I believe in what the Bible says, “suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” I see it as a paradox. The death of self actually causes a life that is full and a peace that passes all understanding.
Black is a very real colour in the lives of all people. Suffering, pain and death are inevitable, but white and light makes it all bearable. I am thankful to be under the umbrella that rains white and protects me from pure blackness, without hope.
What does black mean to you?
stacilys.wordpress.com 
I love that final summary and the artwork 🙂
Awwwww, really? thank you so much Ricard.
🙂
Welcome 🙂
Love the artwork. I agree with you on the color black
Thank you so much Tosha. Great to know that there is someone to agrees with me too.
🙂
Always 😉
You just write a few words but you do it so beautifully!
Do you always make the umm picture also?
I feel like that it is the same girl.
Hey there, so nice to see you here, and thank you so much for your kind words.
Yes, I always make the piece myself (unless otherwise specified). I draw the girl and paint her and I do the back ground as well. I am doing a mixed media and poetry project right now on nine different colors. Hence the pink, blue, yellow and green that I’ve already done. Each girl is a new creation.
I hope you are well.
Please have a beautiful weekend.
🙂 ❤
Hi ^_^
Welcome 🙂
Nice!
I think I missed the pink one. o.o
They sure are new creations but they have a resemblance always. 😀
Alhamdulillah I am well.How are you doing?
You too,enjoy!
I am well thanks, and thanks for asking. Yes, each of the girls have a resemblance. It’s meant to be like that. It’s a 9 part poem together with each girl representing that colour.
🙂
Welcome 🙂
Awesome!
Did you happen to plan on doing purple?
Oh yes. Definitely. 😀
I really like this one. Can’t wait to see the rest.
Black to me is a standard uniform, deep, unfathonable.
Black is also, rich and full of the best life. I love good black earth to plant my garden. Black covers all things and, to me, is good in dirt, and to be wary of in a person’s character.
Oh that’s great. I never thought of the black earth. I’m sure it does wonders for your garden.
Thank you so much for your kinds appreciation of this piece Wendy. I’m so glad you like it.
Have a great weekend. Get out and run with your dog and have fun a bit.
🙂
Lovely art and words Staci. I like the color black (and darkness) simply because they are always overcome by light. Something of a metaphor for my life and faith. 😊
Yes, that’s great. Darkness is overcome by light. I know you have gone through some very rough times, so I can see how you see it as a metaphor for you life and faith.
Have a wonderful weekend Mark.
🙂
“Man In Black”, by Johnny Cash
Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there’s a reason for the things that I have on.
I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he’s a victim of the times.
I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you’d think He’s talking straight to you and me.
Well, we’re doin’ mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin’ cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we’re reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought ‘a be a Man In Black.
I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin’ for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.
And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen’ that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen’ that we all were on their side.
Well, there’s things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin’ everywhere you go,
But ’til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You’ll never see me wear a suit of white.
Ah, I’d love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything’s OK,
But I’ll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
‘Till things are brighter, I’m the Man In Black.
Hey Rob, that is a great song. Love the lyrics and the sentiment. I can always count on you to share a little Johnny Cash.
Hope you are well.
Have a great weekend.
🙂
The light is most clearly seen in contrast/against the black! Light is easier to see in the darkness. My life has been filled with darkness and the Light of Christ has shone on me the brightest. Love your post!!
That’s wonderful Pearl, and you as a photographer must definitely know that well (light contrasting against the black). My childhood and youth were filled with darkness, and God has brought me through some pretty tough points. Thankfully, as we ‘abide in the vine’ He produces fruit and brings us through.
Have a lovely weekend.
🙂
I looooove the art!! 💖🎨💖🎨💖🎨
Ohhhhh, thank you so much Trini. I’m so glad you ‘love’ it (even though it’s black 🙂 )
Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
🙂 ❤
Staci, this is a lovely and hugely thought provoking post. The artwork is charming, a little Jackson Pollock going on in the background, very nice! I like how you tied together the idea of Pandora’s Box and hope, “under the umbrella that rains white and protects me from pure blackness, without hope”. After Pandora let all the evils into the world, she quickly closed the box, the only thing remaining in the bottom of the box was hope.
Black is an interesting concept. I don’t view black as the enemy, but rather it’s part of the necessary balance which helps to create order in all things known and unknown. I don’t think it is possible for man to exist in the light alone, then there would be no need for the journey of growth and discovery. Because the idea of “black” is so enormous it can be viewed by many schools of thought, probably the most relevant would be the philosophical and theological views. This is terrific, “a peace that passes all understanding”, shantih is a wonderful word used by one of my all-time favorite poets.
Thank you for sharing part one of your poem, which I absolutely love. I’m looking forward to the second post of the series. Please enjoy the rest of your week. Take care. ~ Mia
Ohhh, thank you so much Mia. I love your comment. There is so much I want to reply on here.
First of all, thank you for introducing me to Jackson Pollock. I had just attended an arts festival last Saturday and it went throughout the history of the arts and the ideologies behind art, right from the Renaissance up. It was very interesting, and encouraged me to learn more about the different influences and ideologies that influenced more modern-day art (Modern starting at Picasso,). I find it so amazing how art is philosophy illustrated.
Anyhow, back to Pollock. Hahahaha. Yes, the background, right? I love smashing and dripping paint into my pieces, and from what I’ve read of him (thanks to Google) he was really into that, wasn’t he? The background is actually card stock that I’ve cut out and then collaged crumpled tissue paper all over it. Then I water paint wash it. I’ve been learning to work a bit with mixed media styles. I like putting different art mediums together, but in more of a simple way. My goal with my art is to be doing it with a purpose. Every piece has a message/purpose behind it. This specific one is part of a 9 part project. If interested in seeing the other four I’ve done, you can find them here:
pink-https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/color-me-pink/
blue-https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/color-me-blue/
yellow- https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/color-me-yellow/
green- https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/color-me-green/
I don’t view black as the enemy either actually. It’s often associated with death and darkness and all, but like you, I believe there is good and bad that can be represented though all the colours. The balance thing, right 🙂 . My goal with this Color me project is to touch most facets of human experience (behaviour, emotions, attitudes, etc.). Did you know that black is the result of the mixing of many other colours together? Interesting eh. Not white though.
I love that you mentioned Shantih, and I’m almost positive that you are talking about T.S. Eliot, right? And Shantih coming from the end? I love that Eliot spelled it as ‘Shantih’ with an ‘H’ at the end and not as ‘Shanti’ without the h. Did you know that without the ‘h’ it just means peace or tranquility? ‘Shantih’ is the same idea as written in the Bible, when the author is talking about how to deal with anxiety, and he says to pray and ‘the peace that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ, Jesus.’ Peace, in this case thought, is in Hebrew and is ‘Shalom’, but it’s the same idea.
You don’t know what it means to me that you ‘love’ the poem. I am so glad you do.
Have a nice Sunday evening, and a wonderful week ahead.
🙂 ❤
Oh, and sorry for the book I just wrote – hahahaha. Hard to keep it brief.
🙂
Staci, I want to thank you for a wonderful reply. Likewise, I have much to say and I’ll do my best to condense my thoughts. Your Saturday at the Arts Festival sounds fabulous! Love this, “art is philosophy illustrated”, so true!
You might enjoy the movie, “Pollock”. Jackson Pollock was married to Lee Krasner, I don’t know if you are familiar with her work, both were considered abstract impressionist. It’s a very interesting and well done film. We see the intense dynamics of their relationship, I think she was really instrumental in his career. All that to say I love the background on your mixed media piece, ha-ha! Your art work is lovely, fun to learn there is intent behind each piece. What a marvelous idea to explore the human experience through written verse and in individual parts. Thank you for the links, I’m looking forward to reading the rest of them. 🙂
Yes, I was referring to Eliot, he’s a favorite, I’m very fond of his work. There are several variations of spelling of the word, “shantih” and all with slightly different meanings. Perhaps he chose that variation because of a shift in his own beliefs and attitudes towards humanism and religion, it’s interesting to speculate as to what his reason was at that moment.
Have a wonderful and creative week! ~ Mia
Hi Mia, I had read up about that movie and am very interested in watching it. I might try and do so this weekend. Or maybe even tonight (if I can find it on Netflix). I hadn’t heard of Lee Krasner either, but I will make sure to google her.
Oh, I’m glad you ‘love’ the background on this. I like using texture in my art. And yes, I am very intentional in my art. I’m the type of person that doesn’t spend time doing things unless there is an intent, or reason behind it. Hehehe. Like learning a language. I couldn’t learn a language just for the heck of it. I need a reason to do so. And I don’t want to just do art – or create something – that doesn’t come from within me. Something that I wouldn’t be able to personally interpret, or something just for aesthetic sake.
I am very interested in Eliot’s work. I want to actually do an online course on The Wasteland. Once I have a little time, I just may do so. I think you’re onto something @Perhaps he chose that variation because of a shift in his own beliefs and attitudes towards humanism and religion. I guess he struggled a lot with where western culture was headed, and the meaning of it all. How can man worship man (or self)? I don’t really know a lot, Just saying.
You also have a wonderful and creative week Mia, and thank you for this rich conversation.
🙂
Staci, I hope that you enjoy the movie, although sadly his life was full of turmoil, this is probably what you would expect. I absolutely love your background! Not so easy to achieve as many would think. I understand what you mean by “intent” and it shows in your posts that you put a lot of time, thought and preparation into each one. That sounds marvelous taking an online course on “The Waste Land”, I think if you like Eliot you would really enjoy it. I’ve read it several times, for me it’s engaging, jarring, unnerving (rattling your thoughts) and even quite sad, yet offering hope at the very end. I have to remind myself what was going on in the world during the time it was written, continuing post-war recovery, Eliot’s personal views of society along with his own personal struggles. In many ways the poem is still very relevant today. He is a favorite of mine, so I would encourage you if you can find the time to go for it! Thank you for a wonderful reply, always a pleasure! Enjoy the rest of your week! ~ Mia
Hi Mia
“for me it’s engaging, jarring, unnerving (rattling your thoughts) and even quite sad, yet offering hope at the very end.”
–Exactly. Couldn’t agree with you more.
Have a wonderful Thursday Mia.
🙂
Thank you, have a wonderful Thursday as well! 🙂
Interesting post. I wear black a lot but not usually solid black. Must be the wanna-be Parisian in me, huh?! I don’t like black things in the garden though, and I adore colors, all of them. Can’t wait to read the next installment. 🙂 ❤
Thank you so much Natalie. Yes, interesting eh… hahaha. I was afraid that it would sound a little morbid. My goal with this Color me project is to touch most facets of human experience (behaviour, emotions, attitudes, etc.) so I couldn’t leave out darkness, could I?
I myself would love to get myself a pair of red shoes to go with my black dresses. I think that contrast looks great together. Like that little splash of color.
Love and hugs, my friend.
🙂 ❤
Oh I agree Staci! And I don’t black is always associated with darkness. I love men in tuxedos. I love black dresses with pearls. I love the contrast of black and white side by side. I love those old times little black and white tiles on bathroom floors. I’m looking forward to how you develop this theme! 😊❤️
I love your painting, Staci. She’s very pretty. I love black but I think grey looks best on me. I like to be flexible and choose to be either more or less black, depending on the situation.
Ohhh, thank you so much. I love the whimsy girls.
I also like to wear black sometimes. It’s very slimming for the figure. 🙂
I bet you look great in black.
Have a great weekend.
🙂
Interesting thoughts on the color black. For me black is the color I like to see women dressed in. I think it is a sexy color. Also, black reminds me of my little kitten. Black inspires good things as well as bad.
Hahaha @the colour you like to see women dressed in. Like the little black dress with red heels?
Awwwwww, you have a cute black kitten? I have have a little Yorkshire dog and he’s black, brown and white. He only weighs about two kilos (4 1/2 lbs).
I totally agree with you @Black inspires good things as well as bad. I think all colours do that.
This piece here is part of 9 part poem on mixed media that I’m doing. I’ve already done pink-https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/color-me-pink/, blue-https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/color-me-blue/, yellow- https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/color-me-yellow/ and green- https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/color-me-green/. I just added the links if you’re interested.
I still have red, orange, purple and white to do.
Thanks for the comment. I’ll be by your blog soon o see what you’ve been up to.
🙂
Smiling. Thanks. I really loved this piece. I will try to keep a close eye on your blog. Have a good one.
Ohhhh, I’m so glad you ‘loved’ thus. And I will do so with yoyr blog too. Have a wonderful weekend. 😀
Thanks. You too.
Black is my favorite color. Most of my clothes are black. My stove and fridge are black. I have had black hair. I have had black dogs and cats. Our cows are black.
Black is the canvass to my creative passions. My anchor in a sea of waves of color. Any color “pops” on a background of black.
I used to be terrified of the dark. Even as an adult. Then I moved to the country where there are no streetlights. Neighbors are too far away to be affected by their lighting choices. When the lights go out in my house and there is no moonlight, you cannot see your hand in front of your face. And I now find such peace in the blackness. What used to bring fear now brings such comfort.
I love black.
Ohhhh wow, that’s great Robyn. I think I’d get a bit anxious if the lights went out and I were there. Not being able to see anything at all…. hmmmmm.
My dog is black, brown and white. He’s a little Yorkie. I think he only ways about 2 kilos. I think black for a background is great. I have been invited to expose my art and an art & prose event on the 27th and I think I’ll use a black background for that. Other colours really do seem to pop with black.
Thanks so much for sharing.
🙂
I was wondering whats more beautiful-
“Color me black like the darkest of nights,
like the depths of my soul, until illuminated by light” or ur art work…you know it already I fell in love with all of ur girls lolzzz 😀
Black is grace and sophistication….its seclusion, where thoughts are born (positive-negative)…where there is always room for light even a low one 🙂
I love u quoting The Holy Bible…masterpiece 🙂
Ohhhhhh, Saaransh, I love to see you here. I love your comments. You always say the nicest things. I’m so encouraged by you.
Oh yes, I agree, black is definitely sophistication. And I love that @seclusion, where thoughts are born.
I hope you are doing very well, eating a lot of cheesecake and sketching your heart out.
Have a wonderful week ahead, my friend.
🙂
Pleasure always Staci, I don’t want to b unjust ever, so how cud I resist to eulogize ur stunning work, ur thought process….m truthful to them……..Cheesecakes yayy :D…I had one yesterday hope u too have one with ur family….God bless u all 🙂
Hahaha. I didn’t have cheesecake with them. Awwww, now I’m jealous. Was it lemon?….
🙂
The blueberry one 🙂
Oh no! Now you’re making me jealous. Canada is full of blueberries, but Brazil unfortunately doesn’t produce them (from what I know).
🙂
Brazil ….ya then its coffee ehh 😀
Ohhhhh yes, yummy coffee.
😉
Interesting question as I have never thought about it..I remember I always chose black to go to a funeral, it’s just automatic mode. Perhaps deep down I feel black as sorrowful color, but at the same time, it shows empathy to the ones who are being left behind.
Stacilys, I just notice that Rob’s blog is gone..I just could not find it anymore. I hope I am mistaken. Does he move to other blog name?
Oh that’s great Indah. I like that @empathy to the ones who are being left behind.
Oh yes, Rob’s at a new blog now. It’s here:https://forfriendswithoutborders.wordpress.com
Have a great week Indah, and thanks for the comment.
🙂
Thank you so much Stacily! Ah, a new blog, I missed that updates. I will take a look 🙂
🙂
I love love love the artistic combination and of words and art in this one ❤ ❤ Black holds both dark and light meanings to me depending on how I am feeling at the time 🙂
Awwwww, thank you so much Neha. So glad you enjoyed it.
😀💕
I absolutely did 🙂
You’re so sweet. 🍬
Thanks, my friend.
Beautiful art work, I love black color 🙂
Thank you so much Leyla. I bet you look great in black.
🙂
Dear Staci!! I love your art and your words about black are very powerful! I was at a sporting event yesterday…and the predominant color in the stands was black! It was a little strange…whenever I am in a large stadium scan the crowd and see what color stands out…we all commented on how strange it was to see mostly black. I used to fear black…and darkness…and I tried to run from it. Now I see that without the darkness light would have no meaning…and that it is nothing to fear, and yet everything to learn from! Thank you, my friend ♡♡♡
Hi Lorrie, thank you so much for your sweet and kind words.
Isn’t that strange? Why would they want to put black at a sporting event? It doesn’t seem like it goes with sports. I think that fabulous how you notice the colours that stand out when in a large stadium. Maybe the black because it’s winter? But then again you live in Florida where it’s not so dismal and grey, right. Hmmmmm…
Oh yes, I like that @without the darkness light would have no meaning.
Have a lovely and creative week Lorrie.
🙂 ❤
That is the truly weird part…usually Florida is so colorful! But it was night and it was really cold…and maybe people down here don’t have a large variety of winter wear. Wishing you the best week dear Staci!! ♡
I really like your art–I wish I could draw as good as that! For me, black symbolizes mystery and the unknown, which can bring about fear and resistance for me. But as of late, black or even darkness means renewal, a time to block out everything to only where I have myself and thoughts–to where I can honestly evaluate life and my place in it. Thanks for sharing Staci 🙂
He Crystal, thank you so much.
Oh yes, mystery and the unknown. That’s true. Like death. It’s great that you are seeing it in another light as well. Going through the dark times causes perseverance and grows us. Wonderful Crystal.
Have a lovely week.
🙂 ❤
my favourite color… the most elegant one, too:”elegance is always black…”(Françoise Giroud) 🙂
Oh yes, you are French. French and black go hand in hand, don’t they? I also think that black is elegant. Sophisticated too. It’s the classic look
Have a wonderful week Melanie and thank you so much for the comment.
🙂
I would agree that black does portrays more of a somber aura, like death, sorrow, pain and suffering etc but the mystery with that color is too inviting and fascinating to miss and as you said so yourself it does look ravishing in a dress 😀 I haven’t seen anyone who doesn’t look good in black, I think it has a thing which brings out the best looks in people, hehe 😀
The artwork is stunning…a different take from your other paintings, I loved it Stacy! ❤ 🙂
Yeahhhhhh! Zee is here. It’s great to see you. You’ve been busy with school, haven’t you? I thought about you just the other day.
Oh yes, black is very slimming and sophisticated. Can’t go wrong with that eh.
Thank you so much for your kind words sweetie. And yes, this girl painting is different, isn’t it?
Have a lovely week Zee.
Love and hugs.
🙂 ❤
Heyyy Staci, yes I had finals almost the whole month so was on the break for a little while. I missed you ❤
It's a pleasure reading your work and being an admirer of your beautiful art !
Loads of love to you ❤
Hi Staci, gorgeous girl as usual. I had the same feeling as you in relation to the black colour. But now it’s ok, I don’t have many black clothes, but few of them, they are elegant and make me thinner.
Haha, yes @make me look thinner. It is so true. Elegant and sophisticated. Like the classic look.
Thank you Elizabeth. I have four more colour girls to go.
Stay warm. 😀
Hahaha, yes @make me look thinner. It’s so true. Elegant and sophisticated. Like the classic look.
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I have four more colour girls to go.
Stay warm.
🙂
I haven’t really thought about it until now, but my , I love that line you wrote in your artwork. Black, for me, reflects a journey, transition. I associate it with teenage years “which is a stage of transition”, mourning “which is also transition from having some one there to not having them at all”. But at the end, I agree with your explanation. It’s the phase you stay in while awaiting light 🙂
Beautiful. I think it’s important to find the beauty in black. I too find black to be sad and depressing at first glance. I agree, your final words leave such hope. Lovely.
Thanks Audrey.
😙
I love black color! :))) I think not the color, but people faces, expressions puts depression shadow. P.S. the painting is amazing!!!
Thank you so much Jojo, for the kind words and comment. Yea, some people can have some pretty harsh expressions on their faces.
Have a great weekend.
🙂
Beautiful artwork and wonderful post Staci! May you have a beautiful weekend!
~ Dajena
Thank you so much Dajena. So glad you like it. You also have a beautiful weekend.
🙂
Some wonderful ideas here, as usual. Lovely work!
Hi Benjamin. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Thank you so much.
Have a wonderful weekend.
🙂
Welcome. Thanks. Have a great weekend also.
🙂
Why does the color black have such bad connotations associated with it? Black is the combination of all colors. When I think of black I think of richness, little black dresses, ravens, black bears, blackberries, volcanoes, and night. On the other hand, white is the absence of color. It isn’t light because there is color in light. It’s bland and boring. Why is it associated with purity? Pus and maggots are white. To be honest, I like both black and white, but there is good and bad in both shades. 😉
Hahahaha. Yes, there is good and bad in both shades. I guess white would be considered purity because it’s he absence of the mix up of colors. I don’t know. You got me. Hahaha. I love blackberries. And I swear, one of these days I’m going to get myself some funky red heels to go with my black dress. I think that would look so awesome.
My goal with this ‘Color me’ project is to touch on the many facets of human emotion and behaviour. Hence, the black and its association with darkness and suffering. But like you said, there’s good and bad in both. There’s balance, right.
Thanks Vashti. Have a great night.
🙂