An Appreciation For Red

Red has never been a favorite color of mine. I would have been perfectly happy if Santa had been wearing a "pink and white" suit instead of red.{:However, as the years have gone by, I have really started appreciating the value of the red member of the color wheel. I have noticed how it stands out and draws the eye to it....especially in flowers. Wildflowers....my favorites, have the Indian Blanket. Among the blues, whites and yellows in a field, the reds and oranges of the Indian Blanket, just make the field come alive.

One of my dear friends, Bell, who is in her 90's. has an antiques business,and does not like to have grass in her yard. Instead she has a packed dirt yard, but full of color with all of the flowers she grows there. You could say her yard is her flower bed. She has California Poppy among her beauties. It is one of the most prettiest, petally (if there is such a word), vibrant red flower ever. In my last post on transfer tracing I had begun to stitch this vintage poppy. Here it is, in the color, a few years back, I would have never chose to stitch with.
I chose different hues of red to have some shading on the flower. The same way in the black center. If you have ever noticed black in nature...as in crow's wings, butterfly's wings, and some flowers, the black gives off a blue highlight. I chose black and a darker blue for the french knot center. You can click on the pictures to see a better view ( I hope).

I also noticed the poppy has little brown "hairs" that run along the bud and stem.

As you know, I appreciate your input and comments....

Now my question to all of you.... I plan to place this stitched piece onto a towel.....as in my earlier posts......what color of towel do you think would be best? Red......green.... black? As you have gotten "more mature" in the years.... have you found yourself changing your ideas about something that you thought you would never like? I would love to hear!