Friday, August 26, 2011

Beverly's Pink Saturday - August 27, 2011

     I have the honor of being the featured blog for Beverly's Pink Saturday today, August 27, 2011. I use to participate every Saturday in Pink Saturday, but after posting every week for a year, I took a break. I recently decided to jump back in whenever the mood strikes me. In case you've been hiding with your head in the sand, Beverly's blog, How Sweet The Sound, was featured in the Summer 2010 issue of Artful Blogging in recognition of Pink Saturday. (Oh my. I hope that didn't sound like a put-down to those of you who have never visited Beverly's blog. I just figure everyone should know about pink-loving Beverly by now.)

     As I pondered what inspirational piece of pink art I should create for this post, the thought ran through my mind that many guys might not consider it an honor to be featured anywhere or in any way by anyone who thinks of pink as being a great color. Rather than get on my soapbox and preach that pink is just a color and everyone, especially artists, have the right to enjoy and use any color they want, I decided I would find out who-in-the world started the stupid idea that boys have to like blue, and girls have to like pink. (I apologize for that long sentence! Just writing this is getting my dander up.) Pink, after all, is nothing but a tint of red. Red is one of the primary colors, and the primary colors are for anyone to use in any way they want.


      Besides, God created color for everyone to enjoy. He most definitely was not the one who said boys have to like blue, and girls have to like pink. Rather than ramble on, though, I'll show you the results of my search.

The following information was taken from Wikipedia:

"In gender

     In Western culture, the practice of assigning pink to an individual gender began in the 1920s or earlier. An article in the trade publication Earnshaw's Infants' Department in June 1918 said: "The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl." From then until the 1940s, pink was considered appropriate for boys because being related to red it was the more masculine and decided color, while blue was considered appropriate for girls because it was the more delicate and dainty color, or related to the Virgin Mary."

     No, don't run out and get your glasses changed. You read it correctly. Pink was originally thought to better represent men.  Well that's lead to the question, why did that idea change? Why do many people today think men should not like or wear pink? (I have relatives who think this way, and hope they read this blog post. Of course, anyone who has those kind of backward views in the first place wouldn't take the time to look at my blog. Maybe I should print this and mail it to them.)

Here comes the reversal. Wikipedia continues:

"Since the 1940s, the societal norm was inverted; pink became considered appropriate for girls and blue appropriate for boys, a practice that has continued into the 21st century."

     It would take a lot more research to find out who made this new determination, but there's no sense in boring you to death. There is a lot to read about the discussion on the Internet, and if you are interested in the subject, just do a search through Yahoo or Google. Just let me say that even among pagan religions, pink was attributed to boys, and blue was attributed to girls. Go figure!

     I at least feel vindicated that, not only as an artist, but also as a man, it is perfectly proper for men to like pink! I will continue to use pink in my art, and I will continue to wear my pink dress shirt whenever the mood strikes me.  For any guys out there considering to buy a pink Polo shirt or whatever, I encourage to just jump right in. The water's fine!


By the way, if you would like to visit other blogs who are participating in Beverly's Pink Saturday today, just click on the logo below, and you will be taken to her blog where the other links are listed.







22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Bill, I am Lynn, and have been with Beverly's pink Saturday since it's inception. I can't imagine why we haven't met yet but I am delighted to today. Your blog is delightful and I love your art. ~

Susan Freeman said...

Hi William! So nice to meet you and welcome to Pink Saturday. My husband owns lots of pink shirts from hot pinks to pale ones and wears them proudly. He's a pretty rugged man's man and no one ever questions his masculinity ~ so pink on! I am your newest follower.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Hey Bill... love your art ! and my Sweetie looks wonderful in pink and wears it in a very manly way . LOL

Sandy said...

I enjoyed your post for Pink Saturday. I read your study regarding the colors of pink and blue for girls and boys to my hubby just now. Neither of us were aware that the colors were reversed prior to the 1940s. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing that information with us.

Beverly said...

Happy Pink Saturday, Bill. I hope you enjoy being the featured blog this weekend.

Great post! I like the way you think. My husband doesn't have a problem with pink either. It is such a great color - it makes you feel good, and it is visually impactful in so many ways.

The French Hutch said...

Hi Bill, I'm visiting from Pink Saturday.Your blog is so interesting and I loved the pics at Beverly's. Congratulations on being Featured.

~Emily
The French Hutch

Nancy said...

Love your work, Bill. Do I remember a site where we couldn't comment before? Anyway, so happy to be able to let you know now.

Happy Pink Saturday!

Tami @ Creative girl Vintage said...

Hi Bill..nice to meet you...I love your art!
Happy Pink Saturday..xo Tami

Anonymous said...

First off...congrats on being spotlighted...what fun!

I'll have to admit that I've not been to her blog before so I'm headed that way now!!

And..you really do have your dander up...I've not seen you so wordy before!! (o:

Jeanne said...

Hello Bill, I was always told Bill's are best! We have many Bill's in our family and my hub's name is Bill. Thus, I am under the opinion Bill's ARE best and you fit right in the mix. PINK, I love pink on a man. On anyone for that matter. My husband once owned pink pants which he wore proudly on our 25th anniversary cruise. He looked great and we have the photo's to prove it. HA! Ok, enough about the color pink. It is obvious it is a color accepted by most and loved by many.

I admire your art and I scrolled down to see more. I am happy to discover your Blog and your art. I'll be back for much more. Congrats on being Beverly's feature this week.
Jeanne

LaVerne said...

Thanks for the history of gender color...facinating, I had no idea. Your work is so rich with color that it's not surprising for you to know so much about it. Wonderful details...rich with layers. Nice to meet you.

Unknown said...

LOL I was just talking about this to my senior mom recently so your timing is perfect. And CONGRATS on 31 years! What a blessing and great example. :) Very fun to meet you for this sweet Pink Saturday.

LV said...

Glad to see a "rooster" among all the pink hens. You are a very talented and creative man. You sound like someone that is jolly and love life. That is what it is all about. Nice post and blog.

M said...

Well done Bill! CONGRATS to you!!!
I really love it when you get your dander up, because we all learn lots in the process. I would like to know why and when "they" changed their minds about pink and blue. I always thought it was such a silly "rule." I like a men who are secure enough to wear any color. I like men who think for themselves and don't go along with what the world thinks when it comes to silly rules about gender. My husband wore pink AND kilts as well, and I loved him for it. Here's to men with minds of their own! Hip! Hip! Hooray!
PS: you should post a photo of you in your pink shirt for pink Saturday tomorrow!

Sharon said...

Congrats on being the featured blog this week Bill!!! I always love to see your work!!! Happy Pinki Saturday!

Carolyn said...

Sir William....you amaze me with all that you do and all that you create. YES...pink is just a color and I really don't know of anyone that doesn't like it. SO PINK IT IS!

I am off to check out Pink Saturday...a first for me.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

Carolyn

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hi Bill,

Nice to meet you...I have never willingly conformed to the stereotype that our society has set in place. So your research on the pink and blue color is really good to know. I guess someone woke up one morning and said, Blue it is! Only for boys and Pink for the girls...{giggles} Thankfully there are many of us that don't go by "the rules". :0)

My husband loves pink and has shirts to prove it. His silver hair looks so good against the pink.

I crochet and sew among other things and my husband is a woodcarver.

I'm following you now. I'd love to have you pop in for a visit.

Pink Sparkles,
Stephanie Suzanne ♥

Anonymous said...

Nice to meet you, Bill...brave men are inspiring, and so is your art. Yes, Beverly's Pink Saturdays are wonderful, and I hope to be jumping in again soon.

Your intro about yourself reminded me of a very old poem. It start's...
"Sister calls me Billy, father calls me Will, Mother calls me Willy, but the fellas all call me Bill!..."

Congrats on being featured this week.

Have a blessed day,
Marianne

Linda M. said...

Happy PINK Saturday Bill, Congratulation on being featured this week. It's just fine with me if you like pink and wear it, I like men in pink, lavendars and purples. Thanks for all the history on color. I'm one of your new followers. Have a great weekend. Linda

Marianne said...

Hi, Bill. I'm also visiting from Pink Saturday. You used a very interesting font there, is it Elvish?

suesueb said...

"Real men wear pink"~a quote I often tell people. I love your art, so fun and unique!! Congratulations on being featured this week on Beverly's blog. I usually post pink too but have been running crazy lately. Have a wonderful pink week!

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Bill,
Congratulations on being the featured blog from Pink Saturday! I'm one of those "head in the sand people" you wrote about. LOL! But, I have a good excuse - I just started blogging 3 months ago, so just discovered Beverly's wonderful blog! I'll be a regular now, though. Nice to meet you!
Cindy