One of the hardest things about starting a new project (for me!) can be simply deciding on the colors to use! I'll have an idea in my mind of what I’m creating and the story my piece will tell, but I get caught up on too many color options. Or, something even stronger can stop me in my creative tracks - I’ll see the most beautiful color combination and not be able to figure out which DMC colors were used! I’m hoping this post will both inspire some of your future projects and illuminate the true colors of different DMC pearl cotton threads for you as you consider what your next tatreez endeavor will be.
Note: These would potentially not be considered your 'traditional' tatreez colors - but who's to say what's really a traditional color? The deep reds, of course, are the most commonly used by our (my) ancestors who hail from Ramallah, Palestine. But, colors have always been an unbounded expression of each artist's individual creativity.
Below, are some beautiful color combinations I'm sharing to inspire your journey.
Oranges: These oranges remind me of a Midwestern fall - growing up in Michigan, these are the colors of the my favorite season.
Bottom Row from left to right: 351, 741, 922
Top Row from left to right: 783, 402
Sea Greens: I am so privileged as a Palestinian to have spent time in Palestine, even only as a visitor in my rightful homeland. These greens take me back to a very personal memory from the summer of 2014 when my sister and I traveled through Palestine together. Many of our photos are next to the beautiful ocean in Akka (my favorite city in the world). These are the colors of the waves as they crash along the ruins of the city. Bottom row from left to right: 581, 368. Top: 503.
We'll call this next section of inspiration, pictured above, Berries & Pomegranates: These colors remind me of some of the flavors of Palestine, plucked off a tree that flourishes in our naturally fertile homeland. They also ground me in a sense of home and warmth, but different colors (and schemes) can surely elicit a variety of memories and experiences that are personal to each individual.
Left photo, bottom row from left to right: 815, 3042, Top: 415
Middle photo, bottom row from left to right: ECRU, 3042, 3685; Top, left to right: 223, 815
Right photo, bottom row from left to right: 815, 3042 Top: 223
Other color combinations that might be fun to try (stay tuned.. I'm sure I will incorporate these into a future piece!)
Bottom row, left to right: 351, 581, 922, 972
Top row from left to right: 368, 352
More blue combinations to consider!
Bottom row, left to right: 995, 806, 798
Top row, left to right: 503, 828
Left photo, bottom row from left to right: 3685, 351, 402 Top: 352, 972
Middle photo, bottom row from left to right: 703, 581, 503 Top: 828, 415
Right photo, bottom row from left to right: 3328, 760, 352 Middle Row: 3689, 601 Top: 718