Color Contemplations: N

Having found lists of obscure/obsolete color names and rounded out the alphabet with a few simply-charming-to-me colors, each day, I’ll introduce a color and a swatch I’ve painted and then write about whatever comes to mind as I muse about the day’s color. Fair warning, my mind is a non-linear traveler, so who knows where my contemplations will take us.

N is for…      niveous – snowy white

Although I’m not the hugest fan of winter’s snow and ice, I definitely wouldn’t mind a sparkly snowperson suit. Perhaps just like the one in this vintage postcard.

While I live in an area where snow is more likely to be heavy and wet, I certainly am delighted when we get gorgeous glittery powder. There’s no denying the magic of sparkling snowflakes.

Often when I’m shoveling, I think about a story I heard a few years ago. Snow is a white animal – clever and beautiful, but perhaps a bit over-smug and presumptuous. He decided with all his gifts and wonderfulness he really belonged on Mount Olympus with the other gods, and so he flew there. Unfortunately Zeus saw him coming and didn’t share the opinion, and hurled one of his lightning bolts at Snow. Alas, Snow shattered into a billion pieces which fell to Earth, covering the ground. Not one to forgive and forget, Zeus likes to pick Snow up and drop him repeatedly every year.

Poor Snow. But there’s also something inspiring about the powder as well. Once, I had a conversation with a woman who was researching cookies of various cultures, and I was surprised by how many traditions serve winter cookies dusted in powdered sugar. It certainly makes sense, and I ended up trying a number of delicious recipes. But I also fell down a rabbit hole, starting with powdered and confectioner’s sugar. That somehow moved me into German glass glitter. And then I began a love affair with vintage sugared beads. So many pretty sparkly things for my magpie heart to delight in.

Then there’s the long-time love I have for mica. A number of years ago I used a magical body oil scented with rose and jasmine oils and shimmering with tiny bits of mica. While it was luscious, and as you can see from the photo, quite lovely, I’m not really a fan of mica in products used on the body. There are concerns about ethical sourcing as well as concerns there might be contamination with heavy metals. But it is magical to look at, and because mica doesn’t stay suspended in oil, but rather settles to the bottom, you need to shake the bottle. And that leaves you with a swirling display of sparkly magic – quite mesmerizing.

Finally, it seems my mind is always turning to flowers, and it seems only fitting I mention Edelweiss. One of the many common names it is known as is Snow Blossom. In floriography, the language of flowers, it is said to represent innocence, purity, and renewal, as well as devotion, and loyalty in marriage.

I’ve taken a wandering path in my musings of niveous. What about you? What’s your favorite white thing? Are you a snow lover? A sparkle lover? Wish you had a snow person costume? Do tell – you know I’d love to hear.