The Art of Color: Rothko Meets Web2.0

I’ve always liked the artwork of Mark Rothko. They are simple enough to enjoy with only a passing glance, but powerful enough to absorb large amounts of time considering the emotions and meanings behind the colors and how they interact with each other.

I share a similar appreciation for the hundreds of color palettes that are uploaded to COLOURlovers on a daily basis. They can be quickly appreciated as you scroll by them, but some of will jump out and grab you on personal level. And the ones that grab you could be the ones that another person scrolls on past… These little palettes become mini-artworks that can express emotion and ideas.

As basic as color is, it is a very powerful form of expression.

rothko_painting.jpg

“Rothko’s work is characterized by rigorous attention to formal elements such as color, shape, balance, depth, composition, and scale; yet, he refused to consider his paintings solely in these terms. He explained: It is a widely accepted notion among painters that it does not matter what one paints as long as it is well painted. This is the essence of academicism. There is no such thing as good painting about nothing.”
  Mark Rothko – National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC


In his career that spanned five decades, Rothko created a new form of abstract painting. This form of abstract art has been captured by and inspired many creative individuals, not just in the form of painting. Below is a collection of photographers who captured “Rothko-esque” moments.

Rothkoesque Moments Found in the Real World

Rothko Found in Life
Photo by Mexicanwave
   Rothko Found in Life
Photo by Nomad Photography
 
Rothko Found in Life
Photo by robpatrick
 
Rothko Found in Life
Photo by visualpanic
   Rothko Found in Life
Photo by imaphotog

 
For even more rothkoesque photos, check out the Flickr Photo Group – ROTHKOesque.
 

“The fact that people break down and cry when confronted with my pictures shows that I can communicate those basic human emotions.. the people who weep before my pictures are having the same religious experience I had when painting them. And if you say you are moved only by their color relationships then you miss the point.”

Rothkoesque Color Palettes

COPASO, our color palette application allows for custom widths of each color in a palette. As people add even more expression of their color ideas into their palettes they truly become pieces of art. Here are a few palettes from the Show Me Your Widths Group here on COLOURlovers:

Rothko Color Palette
the sarcasm of death by electrikmonk

Rothko Color Palette
projectile peas by Linsomnia

Rothko Color Palette
Campsite Crime Scene by isotope.151

Rothko Color Palette
So Bored of Tuscany by isotope.151

Rothko Color Palette
kissing by Linsomnia

Rothko Color Palette
wheres my flying car by lizcrimson

Rothko Color Palette
those things. by bijouloveshues

Rothko Color Palette
hit the brakes by mravka
 
 
Title photo by JoetheLion

Author: COLOURlover
My name is Darius A Monsef IV & my friends call me Bub(s)(ba). Chief Lover at COLOURlovers.com / Cofounder of Hands.org Founder, Philanthropist, Designer, Builder & Writer. P.S. I love you.