No this is not a Clothesline Art post, although I am including the first image in this series to the right. That image is entitled “Baby Steps” and that is what this post is actually all about. Me, Having My Say about the direction and lessons learned so far in making this 2025 project a success. Today, I will tell you about two basic lessons learned for CLA.

1 – Inspiration

One of the first questions I asked myself when I started CLA was

Where will I get my ideas?

Do I think they will just randomly pop into my head? I’m sure some will, and I will certainly celebrate those. But I need something more concrete, some pool of ideas to work from. I have come to the conclusion, at least for now, that I will dig into my massive library of quotes from those smarter than me to get inspiration. I have been collecting quotes for as long as I can remember. They are in important part of my life mantra “Think For Yourself, Question Everything, Never Stop Learning”. I regularly visit my quotes library with “Never Stop Learning” in mind.

So, going forward I will frequently pull a quote as a CLA inspiration. It will be included along with the image on the post and my physical wall in my RetCom apartment. I currently have 10 actual books about quotes. I know I am usually known as an “digital guy”, but sometimes analog is just better. When I use a post from one of those paper&ink books, I will mark in the margins when it was used. That way each CLA piece of art will be unique. I kinda think this is a “two birds with one stone” sort of thing. If I don’t inspire you with an image, maybe the quote will do the job.

2 – Color Psychology

I have never really thought about it but certain colors do invoke certain emotions. I think my CLA images should use that fact. If the quote I am using is about joy then I should use joyful colors in the art piece. You get the idea. But what colors evoke what emotions? I needed to learn more about that. I came across an article from the London Image Institute about that.

Color can play an important role in conveying information nonverbally, creating certain moods, and even influencing the decisions people make. Given that 90% of snap judgments are influenced by the psychological effects of color alone, it’s important to know what colors mean and what responses they can elicit. You can then choose the look you want to present, both personally and professionally, to get the results you want.

Color Image Institute – February 2020

Wise words indeed. There are a lot of different reasons certain colors invoke certain emotions, but due to my 500-word post limit, I will melt them down into one graphic from the article

I have this image pasted on my artsy area desk to always remember.

These two lessons learned will go a long way in helping me make my CLA art as beautiful and meaningly as possible. But, of course, you are the judge of that.