The document discusses how two artists, Lamar Peterson and Corey Barksdale, use color differently in their works. Peterson uses color in a blocky, vivid way to divide his pieces into distinct sections, while Barksdale's colors flow together more organically. Whereas Peterson relies on color to organize, Barksdale uses color freely, with black outlines adding definition. The contrasting styles show two opposing approaches to using color powerfully in art.

1. The Power of Color
Many people underestimate the power color has in a work of art.
Color can be used to lead the eye, put more weight in certain
places in a piece or used to divide and segment a work. Lamar
Peterson and Corey Barksdale each use color to the fullest extent
but in very different ways. Peterson uses color in a very blocky and
definite way. He uses very vibrant and contrasting colors to break
up his works into finite sections of extreme detail next to stark
negative space. This really draws the eye and creates a focal
point in all of his works. On the contrary, Barksdale has a more
organic feel to his works. He lets his colors flow together and really
play off of each other. He includes his contrasting colors in a more
subtle way and relies heavily on black outline to push forward his
colors. Whereas Lamar Peterson uses his colors to organize his
pieces, Corey Barksdale uses his colors untamed and wildly, using
the black to make the shapes finite and to add details. Barksdale’s
works are much more organic in form. They appear free flowing
and organic while Peterson has a very blocky, clean, and
cartoonish feel. I feel that the contrasting styles of both of these
pieces accent each other in a way that shows two polar opposites
of ways that color can be used magnificently.

2. Lamar Peterson

3. Flowers
for the
Dead
2013
This piece shows a more unusual side of Lamar Peterson. He varies from
his usual use of only color and brings in a dark neutral to bring full
attention to his subject in the middle. He also uses much more blending
of colors in this piece.

4. Bliss
2014
Bliss is one of Lamar Peterson’s most iconic pieces. It’s size alone
demands attention as soon as you enter a space with this piece. Aside
from it’s size, the ornate details down to the clouds and veins of the
leaves make this piece awe inspiring.

5. The Red
Barn 2014
This piece, Similar to Lamar’s Bliss, is very notable for its size. If the
stunning color palette doesn’t catch your eye, then it’s size most
definitely will. The attention to detail carries on in this piece and
draws the eye quickly to the center of the canvas.

6. The Circumscribers
2011
This piece is absolutely on
Lamar’s more abstract and
out of the box side, yet still
continues with his use of
central circles as his focal
point. Instead of using
increased detail in this
circle though he just creates
it out of all of the subjects
present in the composition.

7. Satin Sheets 2014
Peterson continues to mix
things up a bit with Satin
Sheets with the use of a
rectangle instead of his
usual circle central focal
point. He still continues
with his usual detail
oriented center surrounded
by a negative color
blocking space around the
outside.

8. Corey Barksdale

9. Tennessee Couple
2012
You can tell that this is one of Corey’s earlier works by the
more crude looking appearance and details. This is
different than many of his oother pieces, focusing more on
individual life instead of the happening scene of the music
life in the city.

10. Urban Mixed Media Art
2013
Corey brings in a new element of mixed media and
creates a much deeper and more personal piece with
the use of much more detail. You can really feel the
emotions radiating from the rather sassy main
characters of the piece.

11. Jazz Reflections
2011
Unlike the previous two pieces, this piece focuses
primarily on music and life in the city. The vibrant colors
add a very cheery feel to the painting and your eye is able
to wonder throughout the piece with ease due to there not
being a drastic focal point included as we have seen in
many other pieces.

12. Jazz City
Reflections II
2012
In contrast to Jazz City Reflections this piece is much more vibrant and wild.
Barksdale also choices to completely leave out the details of the figures’ faces
which leaves all the emotion to come from their powerful stances and the use
of such enthusiastic colors.

13. Buddha Brothers
2013
Buddha Brothers is one of Corey’s more abstract pieces. Its use of
contrasting colors creates interest across the entire page and highlights
in the most excellent areas. It brings to life the smooth feel of the jazz
that was being created by the figures in this piece.