How To Use Color Succesfuly

 Colorful Palettes

"Abstract Floral Fantasy Panoramic"  Prints

Choosing colors well can be a challenge. When I first began teaching illustration and design, I noticed that most of my students were either avoiding color altogether or using clashing colors. I thought it would be a great idea to teach a color theory class, but I was afraid that I would never live up to my color theory teacher Judith Crook.  She was one of the top color theorists in the country. Fortunately, I read a great quote from the color theorist Josef Albers which put my mind at ease, "All you have to know to teach, is more than your students." 

I will be blogging about different color pallets and why they work. In the painting "Abstract Floral Fantasy Panoramic" above, I used a brightly colored warm pallet that is very popular currently. It can be challenging to use bright colors as they can clash if not chosen well.

In order to make the colors more cohesive, each color of paint has some yellow and white mixed into it. This gives all of the colors a warm tone, as if sunlight was shinning on them. Instead of clashing, the colors look like they belong together in the same picture.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you visit again for more examples of how to use color successfully.

Recommended books on Color:

The Elements of Color: A Treatise on the Color System of Johannes Itten Based on His Book the Art of Color 

Interaction of Color by Josef Albers

The Sound of Color

Did You Know Colors Have Sounds!

"The Sound of Color" Prints

Colors have different wavelengths, and they affect the way we see, hear, and feel color. Red has the longest wavelength, making it more aggressive, louder, and warmer. Blue, on the other hand, has the shortest wavelength making it calmer, softer, and cooler.  When colors are arranged with their sounds in mind, a painting can be composed to feel like music. Notice how the red comes forward in the work above to create drama, and how blue recedes backward and has a calmer mood.

"Color Rhythm" Prints

To learn more about the sound of color. Check out these fascinating videos.

Can You Hear Colors?! - YouTube

▶ 2:49

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pWXaPoKYHY

Apr 19, 2015 - Uploaded by BuzzFeedBlue

Find out what it's like to hear shapes and read colors and test yourself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pWXaPoKYHY

Artist Neil Harbisson was born completely color blind, but these days a device attached to his head turns color into audible frequencies. Instead of seeing a world in grayscale, Harbisson can hear a symphony of color — and yes, even listen to faces and paintings.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/neil-harbisson/look-the-sound-of-colors_b_3659958.html

My Work Featured on Houzz

Outdoor Patio Summer Party Art Direction

Create a summer party with the feel of Mexico, Spain or sunny California! Outdoor patios can be transformed with bright summer colors. I decorated with festive tableware, place mats, dishes, glassware, napkins, place mats, candles and pillows from Pier One. Handmade pottery by Dorothy Dhont gives a unique look to the setting. The succulent arrangement was created from the garden to make the table become part of the background. Lights strung from the ceiling fans give a festive flare to the party. The patio architecture, interior design, landscaping and art direction were all done by Amy Vangsgard.

Photography by kathryn@kathrynrussell.com

Above all, have fun
Regardless of all else, a Mexican-inspired style should be playful, celebratory and full of life. Bright colours, pretty patterns, a love for well-crafted artefacts and a generally laid-back atmosphere are at the core of any Mexican-inspired décor. Spend as much time as possible outdoors, bring as much nature as you can inside and make sure to celebrate and play with your style.

Read the complete article here:

Decorating: 11 Mexican-inspired Style Tips to Spice Up Your Home »

Succulent Garden and Art by Amy Vangsgard Featured on Hancock Park Historical Society Garden Tour

Succulent Garden by Amy Vangsgard

Featured in the 9th annual Los Angeles Garden tour and Party presented by the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society. Proceeds will support the greening of local schools.

The home of artist Amy Vangsgard  was built in 1922 and remodeled in 2007. Amy has lived here since 1985 and every detail of the house and succulent garden were designed by her. She graduated from Art Center College of Design and taught at Otis Art and Design School. She is currently a painter, photographer and sculpture.  Her garden is laid out in a traditional Mediterranean style with a fountain that creates a focal point for the center of the garden. The pathways and circles are made from original Simon bricks from her chimney that fell down in the Northridge earth quake.

Amy is fascinated by succulents as they have a sculptural quality and their foliage has hues that span the entire spectrum of colors. She uses succulents as paints and the garden as her canvas. The red bricks, terracotta pots and red rocks serve as the under painting. The succulents are juxtaposed against each other to maximize the intensity of their colors and textures. Patterns are created to keep your eye moving around the composition.  Throughout the year different succulents bloom, creating a performance of dancing blooms. Inspired by her succulents, Amy has created a series of Digital Art that will be displayed in the garden. Website: AmyVangsgard.com

Garden Photos

Succulent Digital Art

View in Store

Succulent On Blue

Aeonium "Cyclops"

View in Store

Backlit Afterglow SucculentOne

Euphorbia

View in Store

Sunburst Succulent

Aeonium "sunburst"

View in Store

Succulent Pond

Echeveria, sedum, sempervivum

View in Store

Paddle Plant

Kalenchoe luciae

View in Store

Rainbow Succulent Garden

Aloe arborenscens

Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood Volunteer

Join LVNA, get perks from area businesses

For the past year, Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association board member Amy Vangsgard has passed out welcome bags to new area residents. “It’s my Midwestern roots,” she said with a laugh. “My parents were meeters and greeters and so am I.”

Vangsgard was brainstorming with other LVNA members about ways to increase membership to the 250-person group when the idea of membership cards came up. “I went to a few Village store owners I knew, and they were so enthusiastic. In fact, Filis, the owner at Chevalier’s, said ‘we want it and we want it in time for Christmas.’”

The goal is to get everyone in the neighborhood to join, come to the Association meetings and have a better sense of community, said Vangsgard, an illustrator who designed the welcome bag and membership card and is currently redesigning the LVNA brochure.

The cards will offer new residents as well as existing, dues-paying LVNA members discounts, gift or punch cards or discount days at participating local stores. “I’m just letting businesses make their own deal,” said Vangsgard. “They can come up with whatever works for them, or if they’re stumped, I tell them what other store owners are doing.”

So far, the idea has been met with nothing but enthusiasm, and the LVNA is getting ready to roll out the cards.

But it’s only the beginning for Vangsgard, the mother of two grown daughters who resides on Beachwood Drive with husband, Charles Klasky, a founding member of the LVNA. “I’m working on putting together a Larchmont Village kids’ club… wouldn’t a parade though the neighborhood be great?”

http://larchmontchronicle.com/windsor-square-hancock-park-historical-society-tour-funds-greening-projects-l-high/

All Over T-Shirts Now Available!

Fall Light All-Over Print Tank Top by VangsgardGallery
See more Abstract All-Over Printed Unisex Tanks

Amy Vangsgard Receives Best Of Houzz 2014 Award

 

Amy Vangsgard of Los Angeles Receives Best Of Houzz 2014 Award Annual Survey and Analysis of 16 Million Monthly Users Reveals Top-Rated Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals

Los Angeles, CA February 4, 2014 – Amy Vangsgard of Los Angeles California has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. “Amy Vangsgard an award winning artist for over 20 years” was chosen by the more than 16 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2013. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 16 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 230 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2014” badge on their profiles, showing the Houzz community their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz. 

“As an artist I love to create exciting imagery that fulfils all of my client’s wishes and exceeds their expectations.”

“Houzz provides homeowners with the most comprehensive view of home building, remodeling and design professionals, empowering them to find and hire the right professional to execute their vision,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize Amy Vangsgard among our “Best Of” professionals for customer satisfaction as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Amy Vangsgard, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and reviewing their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

Follow Amy Vangsgard on Houzz  Best Of Houzz 2014 Award
 

http://www.houzz.com/pro/amyvangsgard/amy-vangsgard-gallery

About:  Amy Vangsgard

Amy Vangsgard specializes in Digital Fine Art, Illustration, Art Direction and Licensing Art for home decor and accessories, corporations, department stores, hospitality, and healthcare markets, as well as the motion picture and television industry. Fine Art Prints are available in custom sizes, different proportions and panels upon request.

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com