Devine Color's Blog

Still in love with Devine, after 11 years

 I got a new camera and I have been going a bit crazy with it. I am trying to learn as much as I can about it so I can record the Devine experience for you. I have been lucky to have a couple of clients (and now friends) to let me record their Devine experience. What flabbergasted me was that they were some of the first clients I had worked with and had used my paint, and I had forgotten why we had chosen the colors and HOW LONG AGO IT WAS….I still think of myself as 40!

 

Here are the fantastic pictures of the rest of the home done in Devine Shell, her master bedroom and bathroom in Devine Mocha & Date. The video will show you how 11 years ago I walked into her home when she was in the middle of a color crisis, and has never had one ever since. (Except when we did her exterior last summer and she and her husband Rich could not agree on a color, she won).

 

Watch and See How Devine Paint Goes on Like Yogurt!

 

The Show Must Go On...

Being a role model to my kids is my greatest joy. On a recent PR trip, I got to bring one of my children to NYC. Mia got to see first hand how professionals put together a Satellite Media Tour (SMT), where TV morning shows (and also blog sites) line up, one after the other, to record interviews (in this case, Cynthia Rowley and I talking about a fabulous Devine Color palette she curated inspired by her fall fashion line) via satellite. Mia met smart, knowedgable, and dedicated people; including public relations experts, producers, cameramen, and even my makeup artist, Janet Flores, who not only made me look amazing, but also took the time to teach Mia a few hair tricks:

 

But that was only part of this adventure. I wanted her to experience more a taking-your-daughter-to-work day. She got to experience the way I go about gathering inspiration and information. I kept her running up and down the streets of NYC looking for inspirational stories that influence and help me create color narratives and products (see my previous blog Colorful Humor Rules On Broadway about creative influence). Sun, rain, snow and an amazing rainbow of bright spring colors set the stage for this adventure. Side streets carts were full of bright scarves and bright umbrellas; display windows were in full bloom!

It seems that bright color is no longer waiting to be invited to the "party;" rather, it is the "party" to be at. We bought bright umbrellas and vibrant scarfs (10 @ $5.00 a piece...who could resist?)!  We looked like two bright red tulips among a sea of yellow cabs. Devine Flamingo, Iguana, Pistachio Lime Beans, Berry Chili Beans, Birch, and so many others variations of our paint colors were everywhere.  A real show stopper was Lisa Perry's WOW... check our her website!

 
These colors spread out as far as we could see, even on sweets. Bakeries are following suit by dressing up their pastries to match and coordinate with our new found color appetites...seriously!

My next blog will be about MOMA, The Museum of Modern Art. When it comes to inspiration, it is one of the richest, most inspiring resources in the world. Art connects our human experience through a subconcious language that speaks to us in personal ways. This photograph, from an art exhibit about Modern Kitchens in the 1950's, captured the essence of my time together with my daughter, showing her that you don't have to be certain about what you do, you just have to love it and put your heart into it! The rest will follow...

Colorful Humor Rules On Broadway

Creativity is a cycle, it generates and regenerates, taking different forms, and shapes. I always look for  mutations of creativity; the sweet spot where the miracle of, "eternity on earth," happens; when one artist inpires another to create new visions, purposes, even new movements (Impressionism, anyone?).

I once walked into a house in Portland, Oregon to have the door opened by Danny Glover - the very same actor who starred in great films like "The Color Purple," "The Royal Tenenbaums," and ALL of the "Lethal Weapon" movies (which we own and watch frequently). I was shocked! What was Danny Glover doing living in Portland? Well, he and his girlfriend at the time owned a home that needed color, and as it turned out, they loved Devine Color paints!

After talking about kids, all four "Lethal Weapon" movies, and of course, color, he wrote a sweet note to take home for my kids. It said, "Always remember that when you are standing tall, you are standing on the shoulders of those who came before you."

He knew about creativity and sweet spots, and about passing the torch, or however you want to look at it.

She Had Me Seeing Red!

 

 

During Times Of Change, You Might As Well Sweeten Your Changes With Color!

These are changing times. I see people all around me going through changes: with the economy and their employment (or possible unemployment); their homes and spouses; and especially this time of year, there is always the issue of kids going away to school of coming back home after graduation. In fact, some people are content with just changing their minds!  Change is a part of our daily lives and we all know we have to roll with it.  If we have a choice in the matter, change becomes much easier to deal with. But whether we choose it or the change just happens, different degrees of loss or uncertainty are inevitable, even if the change is for the better.

I always find myself with a paint roller in one hand, and a brush in the other like a warrior ready to charge ahead into Change. For me, paint rolls over any "change" with a new and fresh visual perspective that allows me to welcome this change and new experience with anticipation and acceptance instead of worry and dread...for me, paint is my way of sweetening the "change" with a new vision.

Under The Red Carpet

 

There is big business when it comes to red carpet. From Hollywood to grandiose events and extravagant hotels, red carpet is a sign that something big is happening. That was such the case in my life. Red did not exist in any of the homes I grew up in (Puerto Rico). "It was too strong, a garish color" my grandmother used to say. She favored light pinks, greens, aquas, blues, black, white, especially white. My mother, first born, shy, insecure, was overshadowed by her mother's pastel-aggressive personality.

Everywhere I Looked...Life Is DEVINE!

Welcome to our new website!  

For those of you who just found us, welcome! We have been around; knocking people’s socks off for almost ten years, and continue to be just as relevant and fresh a decade later. Our company was founded with a color philosophy that has proven to be tried and true. With our corner stone Trend-Proof Color Collection, as well as other color palettes that I have personally created to translate “trend” into fashion, our brand delivers an experience worth its weight in gallons (the paint is gold!).

Pour Some GUINNESS On Me

What makes Devine Color different?

It’s another day at the office. No, I don’t have a beer every time I am at the office, but once in a while I get a brain cramp, and I need relief. My head swells up with so many ideas that it seems like its about to explode, making it impossible to think the next thought. It feels like my head is burning up, and I can’t see past the smoke. Not just a headache, a full-fledged imagination ache.

Follow Your Motives

I recently got a call from a client whose colors were just wrong! The funny thing is that when I saw the colors all together, they weren’t wrong at all.

As a matter of fact it was a perfect palette. All the colors were rich neutral purples, reds and greens like Devine Bavarian, Devine Cappuccino, Devine Merlot, Devine Georgette, Devine Date and several more prefect relationships that she absolutely hated…So I set out to make a visit. She had avoided moving to the NW from the fear that the gray winters would do her in. It was no longer avoidable.