MY COLOR STORY PART 1:
A Life Shaped by Color
From childhood wonder to a career in design, my love for color was always leading me somewhere—I just didn't know where yet.
My Seasonal Color books are more than guides; they are the story of my journey—the bridge between where I once was and where I am now. My life has been filled with color—not always a "colorful life," but one rich in hues shaping my path.
God speaks to me in a language that vibrates within me: the expression of design and color, aligned with how He created me. As a child, color fascinated me. The pull remains strong today, drawing me to collect "things" because their colors speak to my soul. (Though I've learned to pause before letting my love of color turn me into a collector of everything!)
One vivid memory stands out. It's the late 1960s, and I'm about six years old, sitting on a barstool in my mom's girlfriend's kitchen. Home from school and sick, Lovetta took care of me while my mom ran some errands.
Let me tell you, Lovetta's kitchen was one of a kind. The moment you walked in through the back door, your eyes landed on a breakfast bar painted the brightest, happiest yellow imaginable. But the real magic? Her coloring treasures. She handed me a cake tin brimming with colors I'd never seen before—periwinkle, gold, bronze, silver, and neon, shades shimmering with possibility. These weren't ordinary crayons; they were extraordinary. Sitting at the yellow bar, turning those mesmerizing sticks of color into brilliant masterpieces, brought me pure joy.
Lovetta's vibrant personality, bold style, colorful home, and magical tin of crayons left a mark on me. I remember being in awe as I colored with shades unlike anything in a typical crayon box. Even now, the memory reminds me why I love color—it's a form of creativity and connection continuing to shape and inspire me every day.
Fast-forward to the 1980s and my time in fashion school—a dream coming to life. I was where I wanted to be, immersing myself in the world of design and creativity. After graduation, I planned to launch my own garment design business, but first, I decided to take a well-deserved break to enjoy a carefree summer with my two children.
We spent those sun-soaked days at the public pool and the library, savoring simple joys together. On one of those hotter-than-normal afternoons at the library, while my son and daughter explored their favorite shelves, I wandered over to the fashion section, not looking for anything specific. Still, something caught my eye—a book titled Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson.
As I flipped through the pages, something deep within me stirred. The concept of seasonal color analysis was new, yet it sparked excitement. It was as though the book spoke to me, connecting my love of design with my lifelong fascination with color. At that moment, I didn't just discover a book—I uncovered a new way to see the world and the foundation for what would grow into my life's work.
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