Primary Pursuits: What Color Means to Me + Color For All

As someone who has been coloring outside the lines since childhood (haven’t we all?), and has a BFA in painting and drawing laying around here somewhere, I can definitely say that color is a huge part of my life. When I was in college, color mixing was one of my favorite things to do. It was like my therapy, somehow. And even now, years after graduating, I still hold strongly to developing interesting color palettes in my styling projects and DIYs.

So, I was pretty pumped when I learned of #ColorForAll, a very special color initiative from Valspar paint, that recently launched, with a simple mission: to bring color to those who dont have it, and to remind those who do, to appreciate it. Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, there’s a little more to it than that…

As part of the #ColorForAll campaign, Valspar created a short film called Color for the Colorblind, which I’ve included below if you want to check it out. Highly recommend that you do…It really struck a cord with me. I almost teared up watching it, which, I have to say, was not at all what I was expecting. You’ll have to watch the video to see what I mean. But here’s the gist, so you know what you’re in for..

The video follows a handful of people who are colorblind, who have never in their life seen certain colors. EVER. Then they receive a pair of EnChroma glasses that allows them to see the colors that they’ve never experienced before. And they’re reactions are pretty priceless. Eeeeee. Does that give you chills? Because it did for me. Press play on the video below to check it out.

I have to admit, the video and initiative on a whole really got me thinking about the career path I’ve taken and how big a role color plays in my life everyday… If I was colorblind, would I have ever gone to school for painting and drawing? Well, I wouldn’t have made it past a color theory class, have been able to capture a still life in a realistic way, or mix the ‘perfect’ shade of crimson for an oil painting. So, probably not. Would I even be doing what I’m doing today as a DIY blogger? I’m not sure.

How differently would I see the world? How would the world see me?

What about you? What do you think your world would be like if you were colorblind? Would it matter to you? Would your life have taken a different path?

Help spread the word and share this video with friends and family, especially those who are colorblind or affected by colorblindness. They can submit their own colorblind stories with #ColorForAll or at ValsparColorForAll.com, where responses will be featured along with additional footage from the film. Some of those submitting stories will also receive EnChroma glasses (just like the ones in the video), courtesy of Valspar! Pretty awesome, right?!? So if you or someone you love is colorblind, join the conversation at ValsparColorForAll.com. It will change the way you see things. Literally.

Concept, styling, and photography by Brittni Mehlhoff

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This post is in partnership with Valspar”¦ Im happy to be working on a series of paint posts with them throughout the year. So expect to see more makeover stories (big and small), DIYs, and more. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.