Layers of Life, Layers of Design, Layers of Color

I have been thinking today about layers---layers of life, layers of design, layers of color. When I start designing a room, I figure out the beginning from the end. I define the bare structure I am to work within and whether or not elements I dislike can or should be changed. This I would consider the foundation upon which further design decisions would be made. Then I define the purpose and function of the room--what activities need to happen there, and how can those functions be physically or organizationally supported. Here would be where I would identify what furniture, lighting or other elements would be "must haves". Next, I would address the style and colors used in the room--here I would consider personalities, tastes and other items which would dress and enhance the purpose of the room in an aesthetic way. When I paint a picture, the final idea I have in mind, the end goal of how that painting would look, would be my foundation. Of course, things could change and be adjusted along the way--that is the creative process. I would draw out the composition. I would layer in the background, middle ground and foreground. I would identify layers of light and dark, and then I would select a color palette to work with. And finally, when I was satisfied with this larger foundation, I would begin the process of painting. I would pick where to begin, where to use different types of techniques; I would create a color pallette to work with, pick a brush and begin to paint. When I had arrived at my goal of how the painting should look, I would decide where to sign my painting and whether or not to use a finishing sealant. Life is much the same. We need to figure out who we are and who we want to be when we are finished. We create a foundation for our lives, and then add to it and shape it layer by layer. Sometimes we need to remove a layer; sometimes we need to adjust and allow for growth in the creative process. We can check along the way to see if we are going in the right direction--if the pathway will align us with our end vision and goals. Eventually after adding layer upon layer we create our masterpiece--ourselves.