Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Screaming yellow zonkers - yeah, I get that


When I was young, I HEARD color. Words and phrases were colors. The alphabet was not symbols to me, but colors. It took me forever to learn to read. I got in trouble in the first grade for going to town with a box of Crayolas in my phonics book. It made sense to me. My brain is wired funny. They give it a word - synesthesia. I think it falls under the category of learning disability. I think it's a gift. I love color. I love color even more than form. I thank God for color, in all its screaming, singing hues.



Joining Emily today - Imperfect Prose on Thursdays

30 comments:

Southern Gal said...

I only recently heard of the way some see numbers as colors. I wondered what that would be like and then you described it to me. Makes me almost sad I don't have that "disorder."

Unknown said...

When you say colors talk, I feel reverent and praise God for being so cool. I'm so glad you're you.
PURPLE!

* said...

I love color; I'm in good company here, then!

My husband says that he feels music in colors, bright oranges, mellow blues, subtle greens. I like the idea of that, too.

scraps of starlight said...

I see in colour too! What a beautiful artwork you share too. I love her face, so ethereal.

Nancy said...

I love that you got in trouble for taking Crayolas in your phonics book and I love the way your brain is wired. And I think Screaming Yellow Zonkers is a way better name than synesthesia. So happy to see more of your art. I have the coolest virtual friends!

Amanda MacB said...

I think that is a gift too!

Leslie said...

A gift, for sure. Glad you're sharing it with us! I like the way the colors surround and flow from the pastel of your head. Lovely!

Natalie said...

Seeing gifts when the world sees disability- isn't that what this Christian life is all about? You encourage me by embracing yours!

Amy Smith said...

I *get* you, Jodi. You're awesome. :)

Rae said...

I'm so glad you are like you are! God is so good.
Love the "hearing" colors. I have a good friend that hears to.
I think we all could hear if we would listen...hehe.

Love your lady art!

Claudia said...

..I think that's a wonderful gift if you can hear colors - and they speak to you..this picture is beautiful - guess you have painted it - so glad to meet you!

Melissa | Madabella: made beautiful said...

Oh my goodness!!!! Exquisitly beautiful...so love this.

Mommy Emily said...

i am crying right now, because i understand. i see the world this way too. some may see it as a learning disability, but you are right: it is a gift. i wouldn't trade it for the world. thank you so much for linking up today, friend. xo

alexis nicole said...

Jodi,
This post is so powerful. So, now when I read your words, I will know that they came from a beautiful stained-glass window of a mind! I love your hands, blotched with color...
When I was in the 3rd grade, I had to go in a special class to help me learn, how to learn. I still have dyslexic tendancies and I still struggle with grammar, spelling and math! I love poetry because sometimes backwards is forward and not making sense, makes sense...Does that make sense? ;)

Cheryl said...

I love that brains are not all wired up the same. It adds colour to all our lives. Its wonderful when the differences can be communicated and celebrated.

Bethany Ann said...

hey, neat! my favourite colour is rainbow. i've always thought that when i get to heaven, i'll be able to hear colour. not such a bad disorder!

Jodi said...

Alexis, you make perfect sense.

Unknown said...

I've only heard of this recently. It fascinates. The mind. Creation.

our gifts...

Misty said...

over from emily's and i just love love love this. i don't hear in color, nor do i always see in colors the way an artist might, but i really, truly , feel as i FEEL in colors. intimacy, fear, my babies, i feel each of these in a very specific colr at the moment i feel them. love thi spost.

joanna said...

Jodi

God made us all unique and gave you the gift of being an artist, how divine. Beautiful art work.
May you paint each day with colors of peace and joy. I became a follower of yours today
Joanny
http://thedowsersdaughter.blogspot.com/
Joining Emily today - Imperfect Prose on Thursdays

Ruth said...

We need more people who think outside the box in this world, instead of colouring inside of the lines all the time. Also, thank you for your inspirational comment on my Thursday's blog post.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

love color too,
purple is cute and pretty.
beautiful post!

Stephanie Ann said...

I love all of the pastel paintings you have around. I have never gotten the hang of pastel. They do make a very beautiful, pure color. I've never heard of hearing colors before, neat! I've read about people who see words as colors, though. I wonder if it has an affect on your art?

alexis nicole said...

I got my package! My girls are just as excited as I am. They have been asking all day to hold the "yiddle" squirrel, acorn and birdie.
I just love it Jodi. I've sent a note to you through snail mail. :)

Jodi said...

Alexis, yay!!!

Niamh said...

I got Wind in the Willows for Zac to share with the Little Miss as she begins to understand bedtime stories and book-love. You're discussion of hearing colors reminds me of your explanation for the lengthy details that Kenneth Grahame gives as he describes the various scenes and characters of the book. Of course, no matter how many times you tell a bling person what something looks like, they still won't be able to see it. By the way, I love his story the Reluctant Dragon - I just found out that he wrote that, who knew?

Nancy said...

I know I already commented on this post, but I just want you to know how much it has encouraged me this week--experiencing something similar in the life of our son. He's been given a diagnosis--a label--but he's also a very gifted musician. Sometimes I think the "disability" enhances and feeds his gift. Now, to have eyes to see how God would have him use his gift in a world that doesn't make much sense to him. In any case, your words have been such a gift to me this week that I'm linking to this post on my gratitude list this week (introducing you to all twelve of my readers!). Thanks for your willingness to share this piece of yourself. Love you.

Rachel said...

Thanks~Jodi, this is a wonderful post! My son took a long time to read as well and I was stressing. I knew it was alright but I had a lot of pressure around me. This is why I think he loves picture books so much. Now he is reading on his own, when I read to him he illustrate the stories, he is an artist as well. I read a little about Synethesia in A Natural History of the Scenes. Do you know any more books on the subject? I believe it is a gift as well :-)

Jodi said...

Nancy, thank you so much. To be able to be a little bit of help to someone else means so much. It just goes to show that God does work all things out for the good, doesn't He? I pray that your son will grow more and more in his giftings, and know that he is uniquely and wonderfully made.

Jodi said...

Rachel, I don't know of any books on the subject, but I can tell you a funny story. While dating this cute guy (who would be my future husband), I nervously shared with him the unique workings of my mind. And I remember that he said, "Wow! You're a synesthete! I just did a paper on synesthesia! That's cool!" I knew then and there that he was Mr. Right :)

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