United Colours of Design - The Black Book by Amy Bell

A magazine for creatives who share a love of colour.

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The Black Book - 10.01.2020 Reflection • Renew Rebirth The • Black Book October 2020 • 1

INDUSTRY COLUMNS

16 COLOURS OF MAKE-UP ARTISTRY 20 COLOURS OF HAIR DESIGN COLOURS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN 24 28 COLOURS OF FLORAL DESIGN 32 COLOURS OF INTERIOR DESIGN 36 COLOURS OF FASHION DESIGN 40 COLOURS OF FINE ART Annika Rayman

Anastasia Kravtsova Chris Sorichetti

Jamie Hengartner Neha Sawhney

Nkemdinum Egwuenu Sonal Raje

NOTICES

8 LETTER FROM FOUNDER 10 UCoD VISION 13 BECOME A COLUMNIST 70 BECOME A FEATURED ARTIST 106 HISTORY OF BLACK 108 CONTRIBUTOR CONTACTS Amy Barroso Amy Barroso

Application information

How to be featured in UCoD Magazine Compiled by Anastasia Kravtsova

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A listing of all contributors

A RAINBOW THE FIL L ED L IFE BUSINESS OF BLACK 74 COLOURS OF ASTROLOGY 46 COLOURS OF MONEY 80 COLOURS OF FAMILY 50 COLOURS OF MINDSET 84 COLOURS OF INTIMACY 54 COLOURS OF BUSINESS 88 COLOURS OF ENERGY OF 58 COLOURS OF YOUR SHADOWS 94 COLOURS HEALTH & WELLNESS 62 COLOURS OF THE LAW FEATURED 66 NAVAJO COLOUR THERAPY 69 THE + AND - OF BLACK 98 FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER 100 ARTIST ARTIST 102 103 EXPRESSIVE DANCE 104 POET & ARTIST 53 ARTIST Ann McVeigh

Dwayne Richards Elvira V. Hopper

International Academy of Universal Self Mastery Featured Faculty Member: Emma Romano Moira Bush

Heather Bain

Jennifer Love

Kathryn Dzsudzsak

Lisa Berry

Stuart Rudner Exercise

Amy Barroso

Dasha Eremeeva

Deborah Kasongo Elaine Pipher

Ritu Neb - Pure Soul Energy Dance Academy Tasha Bodnarchuk & Yana Banzen Rose Monroe

DESIGN COLUMNISTS

ANASTASIA KRAVTSOVA • COLOURS OF HAIR DESIGN Owner, Anastasia Metro Hair Design Anastasia is a blonde colour expert and colour correction specialist. Her commitment is to create ‘Vivid Beauty for Women of Purpose’. In addition, she is a celebrity hairstylist, TV and editorial make-up artist, author of two books and a sought after public speaker. Before becoming a hair stylist, Anastasia graduated University with a teaching diploma and a psychology diploma. She is also a graduate of art school where she studied painting, music, architecture, and sculpture. She understands classical ideals of beauty, including balance, shape, and symmetry. Her mission is to make this world more beautiful just one head at a time.

ANNIKA RAYMAN • COLOURS OF MAKE-UP DESIGN Owner, Annimations Make Up Toronto Born and Raised, after working for several Luxury Cosmetic brands both as and artist and training, Annika runs a multi-provincial Hair and Make Up business that specializes in Bridal Beauty.

CHRIS SORICHETTI • COLOURS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN Chris is a designer and photographer of pieces that have been used by Canadian companies for over 15 years. Chris currently works with one of Canada’s largest retailers designing retail environments, and has extensive experience in: communication design; package design; advertising; branding; marketing communications and photography He continues to work with clients nationwide to improve their businesses through distinctive, relevant, and emotive visuals.”

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JAMIE HENGARTNER • COLOURS OF FLORAL DESIGN Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Rylea Bloom Floral Studio. Jamie is well known for creating memorable designs for events, weddings and for a growing network of business clients. She also brings over a decade of marketing strategy and communication expertise from her career in the financial industry. After moonlighting as a Toronto event and wedding florist on evenings and weekends, she opened a retail flower shop in Toronto. In 2018 she opted to focus on corporate and private events only, and to start a new floral consulting practice – helping other start-up and established flower businesses grow. Jamie also enjoys gardening, photography, and spending time with her young family. She is also a certified interior designer.

NEHA SAWHNEY• COLOURS OF INTERIOR DESIGN Owner, Neha Sawhney Interior Design I have been creating beautiful, comfortable and ‘feels like home’ spaces since 2002. Specializing in residential design, I have designed spaces from tiny condos to massive villas. Holding a degree in Bachelor of Architecture, I Come from a luxury design background and having worked internationally, I am skilled at creating outstanding designs that stand the test of time. Exposure to international markets like Milan and China has added a lot to my design sensibilities, enabling in delivering only the best to my clients within their budgets. If you are looking to transform your space and want solutions for your storage needs, furniture placement - from anything small to big, I can help.

NKEMDINUM EGWUENU • COLOURS OF FASHION DESIGN Owner, 83 Studio My name is Kem Egwuenu and I started 83 STUDIO @83.studio in 2017 after having worked with custom clients as well as in the fashion and film industry. The idea was to create a brand for women of all shapes and sizes who care about sustainability and want to express their individuality through what they wear. Everything is handmade in my studio in Toronto, Canada. All fabrics used are sourced locally or on-line, patterns,sketches and samples are made in studio in limited quantities. My designs are inspired by many things which include nature, the present. The intention of the brand is to place a high value on sustainability and slow fashion processes and make all pieces in limited editions. Each piece is intended to make customers stand out and express their boldness. SONAL RAJE • COLOURS OF FINE ART Owner, Blue Amber Studio Sonal Raje is a professional artist based in Guelph, Canada. She is actively involved in the local art associations, as well as global ventures that promote the arts. She is a member of the Canadian delegation that is invited to participate in the annual show of the Société Nationale des Beaux –Arts ( Est 1862) at The Louvre in Paris, and has won awards for her paintings. Her art business Blue Amber Arts incorporates spiritual energy of colours to elevate the products to an experience and a unique memory. She conducts workshops and paint parties to promote expressive art, reduce stress in the community and bring the joy of creation. Blue Amber attire and jewelry is inspired by ancient designs, rituals and techniques which convert everyday use products into contemporary fashion accessories and tools for holistic practices.

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BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE COLUMNISTS

ANN MCVEIGH • COLOURS OF ASTROLOGY Ann will be combining her 30 years astrology experience and her colour therapy training to provide us with spiritual and astrological guidance. Her mission is to help people over the bridge from their old life to the life they are meant to live. In addition to the above, Ann ran a successful day spa for over 15 years, employing 17 staff in the GTA. After retiring from that business, Ann studied and teaches traditional vinyasa yoga. She is also a Reiki therapist and Medical Esthetician.

DWAYNE RICHARDS, CPA • COLOURS OF MONEY Dwayne offers a unique approach to finance that expertly meshes the practical and energetic side of money. Financial wellness incorporates so much more than your bank account. Dwayne’s approach connects mindset, goals, financial literacy, business, and wealth. Dwayne calls himself The Enlightened Accountant because he guides his clients out of the dark, into the light, and reveals their path… into the black!

ELVIRA V. HOPPER • COLOURS OF MINDSET Elvira V. Hopper is a Miracle Mindset Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Artistic Healer and the founder of ‘The Love Your Vibe Transformation, a NEW personal development SOULution. Through her own mental health ‘blessed breakdown’, triggered by adult bullying & a troubled marriage, she left behind a 6-figure, awardwinning Big Pharm corporate ROCKSTAR/imposter career. She got out of her own f ’n (fear ‘n ego) way to become a pro jazz artist at 51! She’s blessed to work with Juno winning jazz artists on world class jazz stages. She has never gone back to her mental health issues...naturally...and her marriage is a dream!

HEATHER BAIN • COLOURS OF FAMILY Heather will be sharing suggestions, activities, and strategies in articles geared toward families and children. Along with an Algonquin College Social Services Worker Diploma she has 24 years of professional development and experience as an elementary school Behavioural Teaching Assistant. Heather runs school wide and targeted proactive and responsive programs for bullying prevention, self regulation, anger management, social skills, Heather is married and is a proud mother of 3 adult children and an even prouder Nana to her four grandsons.

IAUSM ACADEMY • COLOURS OF BUSINESS • FACULTY COLUMNIST - EMMA ROMANO The International Academy of Universal Self-Mastery (IAUSM), is an on-line learning and social platform that is changing the fabric of on-line learning and social media with its conscious and tactful approach to a world that is rapidly moving away from individualistic gain, to collective awareness and conscious expansion. With a user interface that is as attractive as it is functional, and a faculty that is as dedicated to healing as their students are, IAUSM is a platform that provides the world with an opportunity for both healing and self mastery that is as much affordable as it is attainable.

JENNIFER LOVE • COLOURS OF INTIMACY Jennifer is a Sex, Love & Relationship Coach certified through the Tantric Institute of Integrated Sexuality. She is also a Chakradance Facilitator and Colour Mirrors Practitioner. She will be defining intimacy and sexuality from a Tantric point of view and how these are directly connected to your creative centre. Through her study of Tantra she will be speaking about how sex has been taboo and hidden in the shadows far too long and when we open to the sacredness of our sexuality, we also open to our greatest creativity. She will also give really juicy sex practices for you to kick-start your creativity! KATHRYN DZSUDZSAK • COLOURS OF ENERGY I’m not your regular Medium. I have been working with Spirit and Universal energies since age 2. I am a Medium with a twist, Spirit Liberator, Transformational Intuitive Life & Business Guide and, an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®. My purpose is to assist you in understanding the spirit/energetic world. I also help you realize what is going on in your world so you can live a full and rich life.

LISA BERRY • COLOURS OF HEALTH & WELLNESS Lisa Berry is an expert in breathing life into the dreams of those wanting to live vibrantly, energetically, and happy while standing confidently in their personal power. Turning up the natural light of hundreds of clients by helping them move from confusion to clarity, Lisa fulfills her commitment as a Transformational Life Coach and Holistic Nutritionist. As a Council and founding faculty member of IAUSM, Lisa models self mastery and self love and recognizes her mission to find, help and connect with those who want to shine..

MOIRA BUSH • COLOURS OF YOUR SHADOWS Moira Bush has internationally educated entrepreneurs for 25 years and is an authority in the field of Spiritual Colour Psychology. From South Africa where she helped women in shanty towns to set up community based businesses, to working in England helping women off the welfare system into self-employment; Moira has a passion for helping entrepreneurs identify and transform hidden blocks to success. Moira is the author of several books including: ‘Colour Your Shadow Oracle Cards’ STUART RUDNER • COLOURS OF THE LAW Stuart Rudner is a leading Employment Lawyer and Mediator, and founder of Rudner Law. For five consecutive years he has been selected by his peers for inclusion in ‘The Best Lawyers in Canada’ in the area of Employment Law. He was also named one of Canada’s top Legal Social Media Influencers and recognized as the only Legal Influencer in Canadian HR Law in the first Lexology Awards. Rudner Law was chosen as the winner of the 2019 International Advisory Experts Award - Employment Law within Canada and the winner of the Canadian Employment Law Firm of the Year for 2019 and 2020 in the Global Law Experts Annual Awards. Stuart also enjoys spending time with his family, often in hockey rinks and dance studios. AMY BARROSO • FOUNDER • UNITED COLOURS OF DESIGN MAGAZINE & PODCAST Amy has been a graphic artist/creative director in the area of marketing and advertising for thirty years. For the last four of those she has immersed herself in the psychology of colour by studying and becoming a teacher of the Colour Mirrors system. This is where she really began to understand that there is a much deeper conversation to be had about colour and how it impacts us as humans and artists. Doing what she loves has afforded Amy the opportunity to express herself in many ways. During her career she also used her creative nature to amass experience in the areas of copy writing, ghost writing, book publishing, on-line marketing, video production, event planning and her favourite... brainstorming ideas to support her clients growth and offerings to the world. To hear the United Colours of Design story, click the microphone icon here...

F UNDER LETTER FROM THE

AMY BARROSO

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Our Journey begins in black Welcome to the inaugural edition of United Colours of Design (UCoD)! The idea for this magazine hit me like a bolt of lightning. I saw the entire publication before my eyes! I saw people from all over the design industry coming together sharing their talents, their wisdom and their spirits. Its mission is to open a deeper conversation about colour. How does colour impact our designs, art forms, mood and journey on this planet? The basis for all the issues will be (of course) colour. Rather than have a volume and issue number, each edition will be a colour. Essentially we will never run out of themes. Once we work our way through the colour ascension ladder, from black to white and everything in between, we’ll just begin again with a new story. I decided to start this journey with black because black is about going into the deep dark depths of your soul. Into the void, so to speak. Once you’ve been there and embrace all your shadowy bits, a magnificent rebirth awaits you. It is where potential lies and dreams are hidden. Only by traveling down this road, and loving all that you find, can you begin to create from the light. If the idea of a void seems daunting, know that it is a place of extreme creativity. It’s a place to reflect on your journey. A place to heal past wounds. A place to plant your seeds of desire. Everyone, at one point in their life has been to this place. Perhaps you’ve been there many times. I’m sure each time had its uncertainties, but no one I know would take them back. The lessons learned are much too valuable. Van Gogh created his most famous Starry Night painting when he was in an asylum recovering from a nervous breakdown. He was inspired by the view out of his window in the silence of the night. This magazine was created out of a pandemic lock-down where I visited a dark night of my own. In that darkness I decided that I was done with hearing “You’re a little too seasoned” or “You’re over qualified for this position”. I would change the story to “I’m fucking spicy and ready to take on the world!” I would bring together other seasoned professionals to inspire and mentor younger up and comers. This is how UCoD was born. This is where our story begins. All design industries, Interior Design; Graphic Design; Event Design; Floral Design; Fashion Design; Hair Design; Make-up Artistry; Photography; Artists etc. have their separate trade magazines which is great.

However, there isn’t one that connects us all through the lens of colour. So here we are, a trade magazine that met a business magazine in a bar, got a little tipsy …and thought it would be fun to invite lifestyle to the party! The format, although intuitively laid out, is in four categories. (1) Seasoned design and creative specialists here to be the voice of their industries. (2) Heart-centred professionals who specifically support creative businesses in their growth. (3) Features where we spotlight local and foreign artists and designers. (4) Lifestyle columnists that provide personal guidance while we navigate our time on this planet. All of our columnists have many years of experience in their respective industries. In fact, I think we have about 350 combined years of experience in this magazine! They are here to mentor, lead and serve as the foundation for this new community. In this BLACK issue, each contributor will be taking a deeper look at black as it relates to their creative industry. Is black a neutral or an accent? How do I incorporate black in floral design without it looking like Halloween? What role does black play in the make-up, hair and fashion industries? How do I work within someone else’s brand and maintain my sense of creativity? How have our creative professionals fared through this pandemic? Each of their individual stories will inspire and motivate you to take action. From our amazing panel of business owners we have insights on mindset, finances, shadows, law and business growth. Our lifestyle gurus support you as you reflect on health and wellness, sexuality, energy, astrology and family. A HUGE thank you to each of the columnists and featured artists for taking time out of your busy schedules to participate in this epic journey we are all on together. Congratulations on making it through the BLACK edition! Thank you to Moira Bush for taking frantic calls and offering your words of wisdom as I navigated this journey in black. I’m so happy you heard my call across the sea and made your way to Canada to bring the wisdom of colour to our side of the pond! xo Thank you to my King who always has my back, who always believes in me and always knows just the right thing to say. You’re my muse, my idea bouncer off-er and the love of my life. So happy I get to spend every day with you.

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These tenets are the basis of all that we do here at UCoD. They serve as our guiding light, showing us the way to communicate with this community. We hope you find alignment in the words.

UCoD VISI N

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We are perfectly in tune with our spirits We are completely connected to our souls We are of service to humanity We are fully supported by a kind and gentle universe We are joyous in the creative flow We are incredibly safe on this planet We have extreme gratitude for our gifts We have deep love for everyone our hearts and this magazine touch We are honoured that people seek our guidance We are authentically aligned with our purpose

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FOUNDER CREATIVE DIRECTOR EDITOR/PROOFREADER

Amy Barroso Amy Barroso Tasha Bodnarchuk

INDUSTRY COLUMNS COLOURS OF MAKE-UP ARTISTRY COLOURS OF HAIR DESIGN COLOURS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN COLOURS OF FLORAL DESIGN COLOURS OF INTERIOR DESIGN COLOURS OF FASHION DESIGN COLOURS OF FINE ART

Annika Rayman Anastasia Kravtsova Chris Sorichetti Jamie Hengartner Neha Sawhney Nkemdinum Egwuenu Sonal Raje

BUSINESS COLUMNS COLOURS OF MONEY COLOURS OF MINDSET COLOURS OF BUSINESS COLOURS OF YOUR SHADOWS COLOURS OF THE LAW

Dwayne Richards Elvira V. Hopper International Academy of Universal Self Mastery Moira Bush Stuart Rudner

LIFESTYLE COLUMNS COLOURS OF ASTROLOGY COLOURS OF FAMILY COLOURS OF INTIMACY COLOURS OF ENERGY COLOURS OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Ann McVeigh Heather Bain Jennifer Love Kathryn Dzsudzsak Lisa Berry

FEATURED ARTISTS FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER (EUROPE) DIGITAL ARTIST (CANADA) CARTOONIST (CANADA) EXPRESSIVE DANCE (CANADA) ARTIST (CANADA) CREATIVE WRITER/POET (CANADA) ARTIST (CANADA)

Dasha Eremeeva Deborah Kasongo Elaine Pipher Ritu Neb

Rose Munroe Tasha Bodnarchuk Yana Banzen

PUBLISHED BY: White Lightning Communications Sales and editorial inquiries to amy.barroso@whitelightningcommunications.com Newmarket, Ontario Copyright© 2020 White Lightning Communications No portion of this publication in it’s written/video/audio form may be copied in full or part without explicit consent from the publisher. The information provided in all formats is for entertainment purposes only and provided in good faith, however White Lightning Communications, United Colours of Design Magazine/Podcast, Amy Barroso, columnists or employees make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information. Please consult a professional for advice around financial, health or legal issues. The opinions expressed by the authors of each column or feature are theres and theres alone.

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COLUMNIST CALL! Ahhhhhh!!!! So excited to be posting this!! Here’s your opportunity to become an integral part of this growing community. Become a columnist and lead, mentor and inspire up and coming creatives and designers! We have columns available for creative industry specialists and business growth experts who understand and work with creative business owners. Creative/Design Industry Columns Available*: • Culinary Artist • Photographer • Videographer • Tattoo artists • Art Therapists • Jewellery Designer • Creative Talent Recruiter Business Columns Available**: • Branding Expert • Sales Expert • Growth Expert • Legal Expert for small business Potential columnists should email your interest to: ucodmagazine@gmail.com • Subject line: UCOD Columnist Interest - Your first and last name • Include a brief description of why you feel you would be a great mentor and leader for this community, best number to reach you at, 60 word bio and professional head shot Featured Artists/Designer Section: • Please see page 70 & 71 for Art and Design submission details

*Industry columnists should have at least 10 -15 years experience, an up-to-date portfolio, writing experience, and the ability to commit to 4 issues over the next year. This is an opportunity to expand your business and influence your peers with your voice. There is no charge to participate in this magazine. **Business columnists should have a proven successful track record in their field of expertise along with 10-15 years experience, writing experience and the ability to commit to 4 issues over the next year. This is an opportunity to expand your business with your voice. There is no charge to participate in this magazine.

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What does a momma colour wheel say to a baby colour wheel? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use that tone with me!

Sponsorship ad This is where all the cool kids hang out

If you want their attention... United Colours of Design Sponsorship Opportunities 14 â&#x20AC;˘ United Colours of Design Magazine

YOUR BRAND

STARTS HERE.

COMMUNICATIONS

CONTACT I AMY BARROSO I +1 647.830.8485 A M Y. B A R R O S O @ W H I T E L I G H T N I N G C O M M U N I C AT I O N S . C O M

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MAKE-UP DESIGN BY ANNIKA RAYMAN 10 YEARS IN THE BIZ

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Experimenting with

BLACK For millennia, people have found and developed new ways to adorn themselves and makeup has been in the forefront, constantly being reworked and re-imagined. One aspect that has not changed is the generationally transcendent and internationally popular use of the colour black in beauty.

The use of black in art plays similar roles on a person’s face as it does on a canvas; to outline, to create a void, to dramatize, and to emphasize light or lighter spaces. In my experience, no matter the type of makeup being rendered, using black is practically inevitable. Your client, whether talent for theater, photo or film, a special event consumer, or just a person using makeup on a daily basis, looks to you to expand their horizons with the use of black in their makeup. To many people black is harsh, too stark or too strong. In a way, they are not wrong. The onus is on us, depending on their needs, to use black as effectively as necessary, and if needed, to impart the knowledge and the how-to’s of its use, tailored to each person. That strength, that drives the average person away from black, that innate ability to stand out, needs to be released from its negative connotation, and then black can clear its name. This can happen with the help of impartial and knowledgeable professionals giving sound unbiased advice and information regarding the use of black in makeup. Aside from the colour itself, black has gradient ranges, such as jet, soft, midnight, and so on. The various textures and finishes can also create the subtlest, but visually impactful effects that can change a wearer’s entire makeup look as a whole. A drop of black liquid foundation onto a palette can suddenly create the perfect shade of makeup for a client having difficulty colour matching. A glossy black lid versus powder shadow used to amplify a model’s eyes with drama, without adding harshness. Fine black lines expertly placed on the lips before lipstick to give the slightest illusion of volume for a boudoir shoot. Our own personal perceptions of the colour and our practice with it -->

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can profoundly impact it’s meaning to a client. It is imperative that as artists we experiment. This allows us to have the widest breadth of experience to correctly guide our future clients. As the expert, we use our technical abilities coupled with our understanding of colour theory, as well as the effects of texture on different parts of the face to illuminate our clients’ view on the colour and its versatility. Our own personal use and experience with the colour on our own features must be separated from every application we begin. The power of black is as infinite as the universe. Black encompasses all colours and thus has the ability to absorb. It is the beginning and the end of all things. The way other colours behave and appear when interacting

“

born of the Third World, lining the eyes with black went from being ritualistic, to a culturally significant staple in beauty for that region paying homage to a time that was, to a new cool thing discovered by the West, and then given a whole new meaning and use. With the world’s introduction to photography and film, the use of black was vital to the shading and definition required to sculpt and perfect our classic and beloved movie stars and singers, and that continued even after colour film. International audiences fell in love with complete strangers, whose perfected features were and are to this day craved by people everywhere. The coveted features themselves change decade by decade, but even so many generations later and thousands of

Remember, black’s power works both ways.

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“

with light is integrally related to its blending with or placement contiguous to black. This power and energy is naturally imparted onto the wearer and onto the part of the face or body it is used on. For example, using black to line the eyes can be traced back to a multitude of countries and cultures around the globe, in early timelines of international histories. I will touch on one of many origin stories of black liner from personal experience and inherited knowledge. Black liner for the eyes is culturally significant in places where kohl (made of ore that forms mineral lead) was found in large quantities, such as Gulf and Middle Eastern nations like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and South Asian countries like India. In the ancient times of some of these areas, prior to the international spread of the Big 3 monotheistic religions, the power of black around the eyes amplified our sense of ‘seeing’ – beyond the realms of our material world and current perceivable existence. It was used (and still is for this purpose) by any person, of any gender and any age who accepted the influence of their environment of that time. This sight and ability was to be attained, a practice assisted by a naturally occurring compound given to us by the earth. Through the ability to ‘absorb’, it was and still is believed that lining the eyes with black wards off evil thoughts or wishes from others who hope harm for you, and especially for children. The aesthetic effect of making the whites of the eyes appear brighter, in turn framing the eyes, was a secondary and superficial effect of the lining. Fully lined eyes give what now is widely seen as an exotic, bold and provocative look to makeup, which was once merely spiritual. Like many things

miles away, the allure of sparkling eyes brightened by even the gentlest sweep of black pigment (think Marilyn Monroe’s signature ‘bedroom eyes’) has been a common element in propelling celebrities of any gender into Hollywood or Music Halls of Fame, and garner repeat requests in cosmetic chairs; ours and those of cosmetic doctors. Remember, black’s powers work both ways - it can absorb and emanate. The mindset of the modern wearer can be influenced by the person educating them about its use. Understanding the origins of black in personal adornment, before its adaptation into the beauty ritual of people all over the world, is necessary to effectively level our attitude with regards to using it and recommending it for clients and it will affect their impression of the colour for their lives, daily or otherwise. We can empower our communities with their understanding of black and what it can do for them when used correctly. We are the wielders of colour. The alchemy we produce on the faces and bodies of others affects them beyond the realm of vanity. The colours we choose create delighted reactions when we are done. This stems not only from how they look but also how they feel due to the combined energies of the colours used and the specific placements and applications. The power of the colours in their relationship to where and how you have used black in their makeup magnifies the positive feeling and can completely reconfigure a person’s internal energy. What an effect it has on the world around them for the betterment of their own lives.

A client of Annika’s on her wedding day who wanted a modern take on a traditional look for her East Indian Heritage. Black Eyeliner was used to line the upper lid and tightline the upper waterline before placing matching black lashes to the eye makeup. Black eyeshadow was blended softly from outer to inner corner and mixed with a metallic brown to create a gradient where the pigment faded from dark to light. The result is beautiful and flattering, as well as culturally significant to the client’s ethnic background. Photos taken by Annika.

Diversity Shoot to highlight possible varying physical features and personal style tastes of Canadian Brides beyond what is typically shown in the average Canadian Bridal Magazine. Photo is courtesy of Flashing Lights Photography @flphotodesign.

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HAIR DESIGN BY ANASTASIA KRAVTSOVA 10 YEARS IN THE BIZ

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A demonstration of

POWER As a hair colourist and

hairstylist, I take colour very seriously. Your image is a message that you are sending to the world about yourself. It is a non-verbal way of communication; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why your look in general and your hairstyle, in particular, are so important. -->

What can your hair colour say about you? Actually, it can say a lot. Have you heard the saying “Gentlemen prefer blondes, but marry brunettes?” I know it is a silly joke, but there is some truth in every “just kidding.” The symbolism of hair is powerful because of its close connection with sex, age, and life force itself along with its evolutionary associations with natural signals. The lion`s mane is nature`s demonstration of power. So too is a big mane of human hair, this has been true throughout history. Shiny, healthy-looking locks have always been considered sexy because it is an indication of vitality. Luxurious hair is a visual signal that the body is young and the person would be able to have healthy babies. With age, hair becomes less shiny. The explanation is that its outer shell consists of numerous overlapping small scales. When the capillary fiber lacks internal moisture, these scales rise and do not reflect light well. The easiest way to restore shine and strength is hair colouring. Dark hair reflects the light better that’s why visually, it appears thicker, healthier, and shinier. When hair is coloured, it becomes more dense and thick in texture, therefore, more radiant, strong, and voluminous. In addition the saturated pigment, nourishing natural proteins, oils, and vitamins, colour, and gloss restoration is achieved thanks to amino acids. The wrong combination of chemicals in hair colour can be stressful to the hair, so don`t do it by yourself ... leave it to a professional! Hair colouring dates back to ancient times. Pigments were made from berries, tree bark, minerals, bugs, nuts, herbs, leaves and other materials. Many of these colourants are still used today. You should consult with your stylist when it comes to choosing your ideal shade of hair colour as there are many things to consider like maintenance and the look you’d like to achieve. In general the idea of colouring the hair relates to the psychology behind that “forever young” appearance. If we compare the condition of the hair of a 20-year-old girl and 60-yearold woman, the difference in the hair structure will be enormous. With the onset of menopause – on average, it occurs after age 45 – the female body starts to produce less estrogen – the hormone that is responsible for the life cycle of skin and hair cells. Hair growth slows down and, thus, the hair loss is not compensated by sufficient growth of new ones. Let’s talk Grey. There is the stereotype that older people have grey hair. Some people experience gray hair by age 25, while some do not find a single gray hair at the age 60. Why? - GENETICS

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GRAPHIC DESIGN BY CHRIS SORICHETTI 15 YEARS IN THE BIZ

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Learn the rules like

A PRO so you can break them like an artist Or in my case, design. I am a designer, a designer in a corporate world - a vast, challenging world with many obstacles. Because of that, it's integral to come up with solid, eye-catching ideas, then break them. Break them to the point that they stand out from the crowd, so that they become something different in the world of corporations, retail or whatever your world is. The Corporate world is a tough place. There's structure, opinions, guidelines and rules to follow. It is also a world where opportunity comes knocking. It is our job as a designer to decode that secret knock and find out exactly why you are there and what you have to achieve. That's where the journey begins. -->

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It is our job as a designer to see past the darkness and

pull out an idea that gets the job done. It is then our duty to take that answer and bring it to the next level. It’s a process for sure, but if you stick to your design fundamentals you will catch the big wave and ride it to shore. I’ve put together a few thoughts to remember

BE PRESENT IN YOUR WORK, IN YOUR TEAM AND IN YOUR COMPANY. Do not hide in the shadows as many of us try to do. Step out of your comfort zone and have a voice, speak up as you are the expert here (because you are). Everyone is an expert in their field - show them that this is your field and you’re the expert.

along the way which may make your life a bit easier:

REFINE, REFINE, REFINE.

ATTEND THE BRIEFING MEETINGS (if there are any). Whether it’s a product launch and you’re helping with packaging, a newsletter that requires a layout or a poster where you need to grab the customer’s attention, you need to be present. If there are no briefing meetings, request to start one.

LISTEN. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Hear what the team has to say, take notes, then ask your questions. I find sometimes it takes time for the info to sink in (I’m hard headed), so I may send out a summary of what I took from the meeting or book a quick follow-up call. Either way, listen to your colleagues and ask questions.

RESEARCH. Look at magazines, sketch, write out your key points, go for a walk, grab a coffee at a local store and people watch, and go on-line. All of this is research to find your inspiration. It happens in the weirdest spots, at the strangest times. It’s an integral part to develop your design and keep your process going. Get your ideas and write them down, draw them, save them - whatever works.

BRIEF. After the briefing meeting, develop a brief or get one from your team. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it needs to get the idea across. What are you doing? What is it for? Who requires it? Etc. Think of the questions you ask yourself when working on a piece and go from there.

08 07

SHOW AND SHARE. Once you’re comfortable with your designs, it’s time to share with your team. You’re working for the same company, so you all know your brand and have an idea of what works and what doesn’t.

DON’T GIVE TOO MANY IDEAS. In my experience, too many options isn’t a good thing. This is where your expertise comes into play. Pick your designs apart, put yourself in your client’s shoes; do your designs hit the brief you have? Are they on brand? Are they eye-catching? If any of your designs answer no to any of the above, put them aside. Don’t delete them, just put them aside. Don’t overload your coworkers or clients.

10 HONE YOUR PRODUCTION SKILLS AND GET IT OUT THE DOOR. This is just as crucial as your initial design. It comes with experience, but having a solid process for your production helps in turning it around in a timely manner. Be vocal with your printer/producer/coder/vendor and find out what they need. Hi-res PDF? All fonts outlined? Videos to certain specs? Certain colour space? Your vendors will have the answers. Use them, befriend them and learn from them. You’re the expert in the design work and they’re the expert in production, making sure your job looks its best.

HAVE THICK SKIN - This is a tough one. You’ve had some time to work on a solution that you know answers the problem - but your client may have another idea. They will poke and prod and dissect your piece into something you may not like. This is a crossroads. You now may have to put your best solution aside and make it into something that you don’t think works. This is the corporate world. This is corporate life. But, this is where a solid team and solid support is essential. You will now have to work with them in developing a piece where you make them happy and you are content. This is the time to look on the bright side and realize you’ve developed a solution. It may not be what you think is the best solution, but it’s the answer to their problem. Take a deep breath, be happy with your solution.

Now I’m sure you’re wondering how this went from a breaking rules quote to having a list of rules...it’s simple, no two jobs are the same. Design is a funny thing. Sometimes it’s simple and in your face and sometimes it’s so difficult it brings you down a dark path of doubt and despair. Regardless, you are a designer and you have the solution. It’s in you. It’s there. It just takes time to find it. Trust yourself. Trust your talent. Just remember to keep things interesting. Keep it fresh, keep it simple and keep it fun. Break the rules I noted above. Speak up more, create ‘out there’ ideas. Speak to a group before you start your research. Ask around. Get out of your comfort zone and most of all, trust yourself. You’re an artist, break the rules. There is no right or wrong here - it’s what works for you and your flow.

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FLORAL DESIGN BY JAMIE HENGARTNER 15 YEARS IN THE BIZ

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Uncovering hidden

GEMS My favourite colour is black, and my favourite thing to do is design with flowers.

The challenge: finding black flowers

to readily design with.

What seems an obvious dilemma

is actually an opportunity for designers to think creatively and uncover hidden gems. Before going further, I need to address a myth: “black flowers are for funerals or Halloween”. Not true. With the colour black having so much rich meaning, it has limitless potential. It’s time to realize it.

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In mother nature’s collection of flowers, there are two ways to approach black – by petal or by pistil. First, are the handful of flowers with deep shaded petals: reddish, purplish, and even brownish petals that are as close as you’ll get to black. Not exactly black unless the petals are professionally dyed, but they play the same role by adding drama, depth, and emotion. They are stunning contrasted against light walls or tables or designed alongside light white or pastel flowers and can be admired from afar. Deep shaded petals are harmonious beside warm oranges and vibrant red flowers too, but the real beauty here is best admired up close when you can appreciate the deep petals taking on the hues of their warm vibrant neighbour.

The second way to achieve black is by selecting a flower with a black pistil (the centre of the flower). There are usually more flowers with black pistils readily available, my favourites are Anemones, Poppies, and Black-Eyed Susan’s. Of all the design principles to adhere to when using black in floral design, balance is the most important. Generally, I adhere to a “less is more” strategy when designing for homes, offices, and milestone events like weddings. You only need hints of

“

Balance is the most important design principal when using black.

Black also modernizes any floral arrangement. When you know your client favours modern design or the latest trends, my best advice is to incorporate a little black for an instant update. That could mean asking your flower designer to add a few stems of flowers with dark petals or pistils, or even wrapping your gift with black paper or ribbon. Either solution creates a freshened presentation, and is a nod towards confidence and timeless taste. Central to my company’s brand is the colour black for all the reasons cited above. It just ties everything together. It can be used with varying degrees or with varying elements to look fresh, timeless, and classic. When incorporated thoughtfully, black in floral design has the exact same effects as you’ve seen and felt with interior design and fashion.

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black to balance out all other colours in the design. Since black is essentially all other colours mixed together, it is just awesome to see a flower with very dark red or purple petals compliment or contrast with whatever flower or leaf is next to it. In these everyday floral designs the ratio of dark petals is about 10-15%. Just the right amount to add texture and depth, without overwhelming the entire arrangement or changing the mood. It’s my go-to formula for balance.

A Anemone ‘Black Eyed Beauty’: striking black centre with contrasting white petals.

B Ranunculus ‘Black’: delicate & dark maroon petals, with a velvet texture.

Scabiosa ‘Black Knight’: tiny, deep chocolate petals that resemble a pin-cushion.

Peruvian Lily ‘Dark Purple’: one stem contains 3 to 5 rich purple blooms.

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INTERIOR DESIGN BY NEHA SAWHNEY 18 YEARS IN THE BIZ

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BLACK Neutral or accent? A question from one of my design interns that got me thinking. After some contemplation I realized itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only colour in entire spectrum that is used as both - sometimes to paint all the walls in a room so that other accents can pop and sometimes as accent to highlight a focal point or a feature in the room. --->

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Coming back to using black in interior design, I want to share another project where I got to use black abundantly. The furniture, light fixtures, wallpaper, feature wall, basically everything was black except walls, floors and ceilings. There is certain calmness about black furniture and lighting fixtures that puts you in a zen state and makes you quiet by creating a barrier In this powder room design, I decided to use black as accent and designed the vanity wall with black tiles laid in herringbone pattern. Do you notice how glossy tiles add glamour instantly? I went further and added black pendant lights over the black wall, which is usually an uncommon thing if you go by design rules. This added texture and layers along with mystery since the pendants are there, yet not there. Another interesting trait of black is that it can be paired with any metal - be it chrome, brass, gold or bronze. Thus I used copper for mirror and vanity frame. Lastly, the flooring had to have some black so that it all could be tied up beautifully. 34 â&#x20AC;˘ United Colours of Design Magazine

between itself and the outside world.

Black was the first pigment used by artists in pre-historic times and also the first ink used for printing texts, and today there are more than fifty shades ranging from deepest dark black to Iron Black, and from Day’s End to Midnight Black. It’s interesting how black holds varied meanings for different people and cultures. For some it’s darkness and evil while for others its elegance and sophistication. There is a popular saying in the world of interior design “every room can use a touch of black” and that is SO true. When a client tells me they love black, it almost instantly makes me jump with joy. I use the opportunity

in all possible aspects while designing their spaces. As I write this, I am getting present to a revelation. We all see colours through the black pupil in our eyes! All colours come together to make black, and pupils disintegrate every single colour in its own entity to show them to us! Underneath this black hood is light. After every dark night, is a bright day. Hiding under the mystery of black, is something beautiful. Black is the end, but the end always implies a new beginning. When the light appears, black becomes white, the colour of new beginnings.

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FASHION DESIGN BY NKEMDINUM EGWUENU 18 YEARS IN THE BIZ

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RESILIENCE in the face of uncertainty To embark on any path requires a sense of purpose and vision. My journey in design began with an interest in visual arts which ventured into sewing and fashion design. After school I gained experience in custom design for clients for special occasion wear as well as working within the costume industry for film and music videos. The best way to gain experience I’ve found, is to determine what your strengths are and to take risks. Sometimes the best way to begin anything is to start with what you have on hand and learn as you go. You may not have all the tools, experience or connections when embarking on your journey but with determination a clear vision and plan anything is possible. Creativity happens when you have the least amount of resources which forces one to be innovative with what is on hand. I’ve found that continuous education in business has helped in navigating the industry and can allow one to develop and implement these skills. As a designer the best way to strengthen your skills in illustration, pattern making and sewing is to simply practice consistently. It is also a great advantage to understand technical specifications in order to delegate tasks once your company begins to grow and you have to begin wearing many hats. If you are just starting out, it is very important to just have fun and be as expressive and creative as possible especially with all the amazing tools we have available like the internet and social media. With platforms such as Instagram and Depop, I’m seeing countless young creatives making their way and trying things. Regardless of where you are on your journey, having the spirit of resilience in the face of uncertainty can keep you going even if you think there is no way forward especially during these times. --->

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There are multiple resources available on-line today that provide valuable information about the current state of the industry as well as some education to help along the way. Some of my favourite publications and organizations on-line for fashion include: Apparel Entrepreneurship, which teaches new fashion upstarts a great and practical way to make your brand solid and viable. I.D. Magazine is a cutting edge publication that talks about what is happening in the underground world of fashion with an emphasis on the new. They also feature short films, videos on YouTube to inspire and have discussions around issues like sustainability and youth culture. Social Media Channels such as Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok have allowed so many people to cultivate their own voice, style and brand in an unobstructed way with no middleman or corporation. These channels are allowing an entire generation to create their own worlds and possibilities are endless with the right amount of dedication, hard work and spirit of collaboration. A few of my other favourite organizations include Harlem Fashion Row, which puts a spotlight on designers of colour who may not have had the same opportunities due to many systemic issues. Fashion Group International is a global platform with chapters worldwide that allow fashion professions to congregate and meet. Fashion Revolution and Slow Factory educate the general public as well as industry insiders on what sustainability is and why it is an important issue to tackle at this time. The last of my favourite organizations deals with Intersectional environmentalism run by Green Girl Leah and educates people about how oppression and unethical business models cause environmental injustice.

My top 3 tips on how to navigate the fashion industry!

01 02 03

Reach out to people/ organizations in fashion through platforms like YouTube, Patreon and workshops by industry leaders to learn new skills.

Learn how to make your creative practice a business by simply taking small risks and how to budget for projects and/or collections.

Build up your resilience by not taking rejection to heart but see it as a way to foster growth.

Model: Rene Jaidi Photographer Creative Director: Michelle Aristocrat

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ARTIST BY SONAL RAJE 30 YEARS IN THE BIZ

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Black is not just a colour in my artist palette

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A VOICE One that can only be heard in black. Not in any colour. Not any shade of gray. Pure black. Definitive. Unapologetic. Unerasable. I paint at night. It is dark outside. My canvas is bathed in light. There are bottles of fluid colour on my table. I reach out toward one. Then another. And another. Washes of paint bathe the canvas all through the night. I begin to see a story unfolding. Each colour is a character in the story. Each has its own voice. I let them all have their say. The symphony is in full swing. Finally, it is time to reach for the black. The colours are stunned into silence, trembling as the liquid darkness flirts with each. --->

The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ 41

BUBBLE

FLIGHT

SHADOWS AN FEARLESS

CAROUSEL

Outside the dawn breaks. The first rays of sunlight stream onto the canvas. I trace the beam with a streak of white paint. The last wave of the conductorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baton. Over the years what has been said on my canvases is a compendium of essays that recount my impressions of life.

Until one day, a strange phenomenon occurred. As the black paint was unleashed on the colourful canvas, it took on a life of its own. Swirling in circles. Expanding across the canvas. Flowing over the edges.

The documentation of my life experiences. Snapshots of my mind through abstract art. I had exhausted every shade and nuance of every colour in the rainbow.

I was mesmerized by this devilish dance staged in my studio. I waited with bated breath for sunbeams to fill the room. It never happened. I never reached for the white.

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BUBBLE 2

DIVERGENCE

ND SUBSTANCE WINGS OF FAITH

The world had come to a standstill. It was a snapshot of the collective experience of mankind in 2020. I could only gaze at the canvas in front of me.

COSMOS

BEHIND THE SCENES

The black night held sway. As I stared into its depths, I felt a strange feeling of peace. I began to love this place of respite. No crowd, no words. Only the symphony of silence. Where all is ONE. The Beginning and the End The Search and the Discovery. The Mortal and the Divine. Life and Death.

SONAL RAJE The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ 43

Have you met Van Gogh’s extended family? His dizzy aunt – Verti Gogh His brother who ate prunes – Gotta Gogh The cousin from Illinois – Chica Gogh His magical uncle – Wherediddy Gogh The ballroom dancing aunt – Tang Gogh His motivational speaker aunt – Way-to Gogh The bouncy little nephew – Poe Gogh His disco loving sister – Go Gogh His cross country traveling niece – Winnie-Bay Gogh

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If you want their attention... United Colours of Design Sponsorship Opportunities 44 • United Colours of Design Magazine

DISCOVER THE

OF YOUR BRAND.

COMMUNICATIONS

CONTACT I AMY BARROSO I +1 647.830.8485 A M Y. B A R R O S O @ W H I T E L I G H T N I N G C O M M U N I C AT I O N S . C O M

OFFICIAL DESIGN FIRM FOR UNITED COLOURS OF DESIGN MAGAZINE

The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ 45

M NEY COLOURS OF

ACCOUNTING TIPS FOR THE CREATIVE BUSINESS OWNER BY DWAYNE RICHARDS, CPA (THE ENLIGHTENED ACCOUNTANT)

46 â&#x20AC;¢ United Colours of Design Magazine

Financial Wellness: How to move out of the dark and into the

BLACK In the context of financial well-being, what does the colour

black represent? In this article, I explore two interpretations and combine them for an inspiring finish!

IN THE DARK

IN THE BLACK

How it feels when you have financial problems and are struggling to track your cash-flow Photo Credit: Nik Shuliahin, Ukraine

A state of financial well-being where you are financially solvent and making a profit

Photo Credit: Eye for Ebony

I’VE BEEN THERE! Have you ever been financially stuck? Have you ever been in a situation where you knew your expenses were greater than your cash flow, but you weren’t sure how to break out of the loop? I’ve been there, and here’s my story --->

The Black Book October 2020 • 47

Five years after losing my corporate job as a Finance Manager, I was five years into my separation, working towards finalizing the divorce, and my ex and I owed a mortgage that was leading us towards bankruptcy and not the financial freedom we expected from investing in real estate. So, we decided to sell the house, and it was just before the market correction in the spring of 2017. We asked our sons how they would feel if we moved; their one question was, “would we go to the same school?” The answer was, “We will do our best to make it happen.” It was decided, and the “For Sale” sign went up on our front lawn shortly after our family meeting.

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SO WHAT? When it comes to money, do you have an old pattern or belief holding you back? I certainly did! My belief that home ownership is a sign of being financially successful is no longer the case for the average individual or family. I tried so hard to hold onto that house that I nearly went bankrupt. Paying down debt like a mortgage is easy when you have positive cash flow; however, when life gives you challenges—like the loss of a job, that same mortgage payment can become a real challenge. After paying out the mortgage, realtor fees and lawyers fees, I received my portion of the balance/equity from the sale of our house. That equity provided the opportunity to pay off my debts, outstanding credit balances, and provided cash flow for everyday living. The sale of the house also simplified the final steps of our divorce, so there was no money owed to either party. What could have been a dark life event of selling our family home turned out to be a bright opportunity!

YOUR FIRST 3 STEPS TO FINANCIAL ENLIGHTENMENT Usually when my clients struggle with cash flow, it’s because they are in the dark – they don’t know where all their money goes, they know it’s not enough, and they don’t have a plan for changing this pattern. These are the three topics we explore and document together before deciding what to do next. It all comes down to understanding your needs and wants, that money is emotional, and understanding your behavioural spending, and moving from budgeting to a cash flow mindset.

FINANCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED?

IDENTIFY NEEDS VS. WANTS

Where, exactly, is your money going and where are you choosing to spend it?

Exactly how much money do you need, on a monthly basis, in your current living situation?

Why do you spend your money on certain things? Are there expenses you can defer?

Credit: vecteezy.com - werayuth tessrimuang

CASH FLOW PLANNING The theory of cash flow planning is to shift your mindset to telling your money where it’s going to go. Too often my clients rely on other people to tell them where their money should go and how to plan their budget. Other people don’t necessarily have the same values as you do and will make recommendations that don’t fit your desired lifestyle. With cash flow planning, you allocate your money to support your personal goals and dreams. When it comes to cash flow planning, stepping out of the dark and into the light can be unsettling at first, but after you adjust, new paths and opportunities become available to you. It all comes down to understanding your needs and wants, that money is emotional, understanding your behavioural spending, and moving from budgeting to a cash flow mindset.

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COLOURS OF

MINDSET

BY ELVIRA v. HOPPER FOUNDER OF “THE LOVE YOUR VIBE TRANSFORMATION”

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Are you showing up as an artist in

EVERY AREA of your life?

Magical Mexican Fabric/Embroidery Artist Gabriel Dawe said: “ Colour is JOY “. He went on to say, “I hope that my art instills that in viewers”. In this first edition of my UBER INSPIRED, fierce & fabulous branding diva, graphic artist divine & beloved client Amy Barroso’s baby ‘United Colours of Design’, I’m borrowing Mr. Dawes idea. It is MY greatest intention to bring you joy by sharing my take on the importance of becoming truly JOYFUL aligned & authentic and FULLY self-expressed as artists in this lifetime. I have witnessed over and over within my beautiful clients’ lives, that by connecting with this highest version of themselves as artists, they come alive in ALL areas of their lives...and EVERYONE benefits. I wish to challenge you. Are you showing up as an artist in one area of your life...or EVERY area of your life? --->

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‘Were you told that you were ‘good’ in ‘Art A’...but not as good in ‘Art B’? Did you listen to what ‘they’ said and did you climb into that box that someone else created for you? It does take courage to step up our game and do the ‘inner work’ of connecting deeply to who we TRULY are versus who ‘they’ told us to be. Some will enlist the support of a good therapist if there are childhood traumas they need to unpack, in order to have the courage to step up their game and stretch out into new areas of self-expression, which are not so comfortable. Do remember that growth happens at the end of our comfort zone. My theory is that each of us was divinely gifted with passions, gifts & talents that make us who we are. If we do not have the courage to FULLY explore all of these areas within ourselves, if we do not learn how to get out of our own f ’n (fear ‘n ego) way to FULLY selfexpress ourselves (jazz video) in ALL the bright colours

to keep taking inspired action forward. Keep listening to the insights, the tugs ex: listening to your intuition that ALWAYS knows what is BEST for YOU. Your intuition IS your higher self, your divine self, the self that may have forgotten who they truly are. The self who is open to doing the work to remember. You might shock and surprise yourself. I had the courage to walk my own ‘Love Your Vibe’ talk, and became a professional jazz artist at the ripe sweet age of 51. I’m blessed to work on sold out world class jazz venues with Juno award winning artists. I was ALWAYS an artist/entertainer since I was a wee child. Yet I had to shut down that gift as it was not valued in my family (filled with incredibly talented artists). Hard work, making money and being a responsible and respected member of society was valued more. I see incredible artists emerging in their 50’s and 60’s and beyond. When we hit a point (usually a Universal 2x4 over the head and a mental, physical or relationship breakdown) it can be a wake-up call to stop living as they told us to live and go live OUR TRUTH.

Case in point, check out the work of my beautiful friend Rose Munroe, who became a world class artist in her 50’s. Her lifelike art brings tears to my eyes. that we are (and black is ALL of those colours) then, we may actually die with our REAL music still in us and the world misses out on the FULL COLOUR of YOU ☆ You owe it to yourself as an artist to go down every path of interest and curiosity, just to see where it might lead. A path may lead nowhere, but perhaps give you greater insight into who you TRULY are. As a Miracle Mindset Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Artistic Healer and Founder of ‘The Love Your Vibe Transformation’ (a NEW personal development SOULution). I am deeply passionate to see my clients do their important inner work in whatever way feels most in alignment with them. Be it with a therapist, 1:1 with me or with one of my beautiful heart-centred Miracle Mindset Mentors, just to name a few. I trust there are many more modalities. The important thing is

52 • United Colours of Design Magazine

What more do you have within YOU? Go ahead beautiful soul, we are counting on you to become ALL you were meant to be! Finally, black is the colour of SPRING & REBIRTH, inspiring us with the beautiful message that it is NEVER too late to be reborn into who you were truly MEANT to be! “Don’t ask for what the world needs, ask for what makes you come alive, as the world needs people who have come alive.” ~ Henry David Thoreau “Don’t die with your music still in you”. ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer “Our purpose is to connect with our Purpose and to humbly serve the world with it”. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Rose Munroe started her painting journey only six years ago. Rose was suffering from anxiety and leaned into her creative side to unleash what she felt onto canvas. She began her artistic journey with acrylic paints but soon became obsessed with oils and the ability to blend and mix colours. Rose realized that her anxiety was just the act of creating stories in her head. Learning to paint was a way to use that same creative energy that now brought her joy. Rose uses this gift to help her clients from ages 6 - 86, cope with anxiety and depression by painting.

“Rebirth” oil on canvas 16” x 20.” The monarch butterfly represents my mother, who passed away at the age of 53. Every time I see a monarch, I feel her, and I am grateful for my journey. “The endurance of darkness has developed my wings, and sheer love and courage re-birthed me into the light.”

The Black Book October 2020 • 53

COLOURS OF

BUSINESS BY INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF UNIVERSAL SELF MASTERY

GUEST FACULTY COLUMNIST: EMMA ROMANO (AUSTRALIA)

54 â&#x20AC;¢ United Colours of Design Magazine

Four pillars of

SUCCESS Hello you amazing, AWESOME readers,

Firstly, I would like to introduce you to ME. My name is Emma Romano. I love my life of high frequency, training practitioners and mentoring natural practitioners in their business - to get them back in the black. I have the absolute pleasure of spreading the word of self-healing (in a natural way, with love and light) all over the world. I am married to a very gorgeous Italian man and am the Mum of two teenage boys (ok, I know I’m supposed to say young men but, they are 17 and 18). My family doesn’t end there though, as I have a huge dog called Teddy who’s over 120 pounds and is such fun. Plus a gorgeous black cat Rodger (ok, so Rodger is a girl, but that’s another story)! But enough about me! Wooohooo!! So, in life, health, career, wealth and spirituality, I am WINNING!! BUT, yep, here it comes, life was not always like this for me. Let me explain. Firstly, let’s use the metaphor of the two colours being: In the RED = broke & broken Getting into the BLACK = success, wealth, health etc. So, what does “being in the black” actually mean? It means you have money in the bank! Imagine all parts of your life being like bank account. Now, are you currently in the red or the black? Picture this: If you were to open four bank accounts and name them: - Health - Career - Relationship - Wealth Ask yourself for each of the accounts: are they in the RED or are they in the BLACK? For me, ALL of them were in the RED. And I say that with big

The Black Book October 2020 • 55

capital letters because my life was a struggle. EVERY part of it. I was suffering with PTSD, anxiety, I was sick, I was broke AND I didn’t love myself. Actually, I didn’t even really like myself to be honest. I was living pay cheque to pay cheque and could not see the light. Sound familiar? Then things really changed for me. I learned some amazing things on my journey of selfhealing and was able to heal my PTSD, anxiety and Multiple Sclerosis. Oh yeah, I had that too. The darkest days of my life were also my best. How can it be both you say? Let me explain why! It was 2014 and it was at this moment, it was the true turning point of me getting my life back into the BLACK. And you know what, I am going to share with you right here, right now how I began on that journey. There are 4 Pillars to Success in my philosophy, and today I am going to share the first step. The first and most important thing I did was to take full responsibility for where I was in life! This was a hard pill for me to swallow in the beginning, but I soon realized that there was such huge selfempowerment in this. A situation might not be my fault, but how I choose to deal with it, and what I do next is my responsibility. If I am blaming old events, circumstances or other people, or making excuses, I am stuck in victim mode and there is no action I can take. I am powerless. If I take responsibility, there is an action I can take. Responsibility versus Victim is a fundamental concept for me. I think it is one of the biggest tools for producing change. When something happens TO you and not FOR you, you acknowledge

56 • United Colours of Design Magazine

that thing, and then that puts you in Victim. You’re pretty much powerless to do anything. But when something happens, and you ask, “How did I make that happen, or how am I responsible for this?” That question helps you find the cause, which then helps you to change the behaviour. If you constantly blame someone or something else for your pain, you literally become powerless to do anything about it. This is called living in victim. You can’t always control what happens in your life. You can however, choose what you do with it, how you react, your attitude, the meaning of it – and what you do next. Put that in context with your business. For example, if you say, “I can’t get any clients”, it suggests that you are unable to get any clients at all, which is disempowering and in victim. If you take responsibility for your ability to get clients, you empower yourself to find a solution, and it becomes “How can I get more clients?”, and then you can find a solution. Yes Emma, but HOW? I hear you asking me. (See exercise on opposite page) Now there were of course more steps to getting in the BLACK, and unfortunately there isn’t enough space in this article to walk you through my entire process for this, but I have outlined them in my free video course “The 4 Pillars of Success in your Natural Therapy Career”. My four pillars philosophy works for anyone in any career so I invite you to check it out HERE. You can also find more information on my practitioner training courses and workshops at www. emmaromano.com.au So you amazing soul reading this. Remember to have a beautiful day and that the BLACK is only 4 steps away are you ready to achieve it?

EXERCISE On a clean piece of paper that is folded straight down the middle: write down on the left hand column all the ways you are stuck in your business or personal relationships. ex: I can’t get clients. Now on the right hand side you write down how you can take full responsibility for these issues. Are these issues on your left side of the chart a real reason or just an excuse? As soon as you realize this at a conscious and unconscious

level, you will start seeing things in a very different light. You will start seeing the action you can take behind the issue, not the shame, blame and no action way.

You can use this exercise in any area of your life where you are feeling stuck, just by changing your mindset from Victim to Responsibility. This was a fundamental step for me in taking action towards changing my life, instead of waiting for my life to change.

Examples of how you could be stuck in business or personal life.

Examples of how to take responsibility.

I can’t get clients.

• Is this really true?! • Am I really unable to get clients or do I want MORE clients so I can earn a living doing what I love? • Am I really doing what I need to do generate leads? • Am I networking in the right places to become visible to my ideal audience? • I take full responsibility for my lack of clients. I can get out and network more, or I can advertise.

My business isn’t generating any income.

• Is this really true? • Do I know how much I need to cover my bills? • Have I done a budget so I know how much income I need? • Am I nurturing my potential and current clients in a way that encourages loyalty and repeat business? • I take full responsibility for my business not doing as well as I would like it to financially. • I will reach out to 5 current clients and see how they are doing… no sales… just love

My mother is overbearing and I don’t know how to get her to settle down.

• Is this really true? • Have you asked her or expressed to her your need for independence? • Have you set boundaries with your mother or are you obliging her overbearing behaviour? • I take full responsibility for setting my own boundaries and will let these be known to my mother in order for us to move forward in a loving way

The Black Book October 2020 • 57

COLOURS OF YOUR

SHAD WS BY MOIRA BUSH WHAT LITTLE DEVILS ARE BLOCKING YOUR SUCCESS?

58 â&#x20AC;¢ United Colours of Design Magazine

Re-birth your

CREATIVITY Pick a card... 1

When your well of creativity has dried up and your work is not attracting the income and accolades you desire, this is not the time to give up! On the wheel of colour you have entered a black cycle and symbolically being encouraged to instead re-invent yourself! Choose a card to see where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at in your re-birth process. Your message is on the page 63 --->

The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ 59

“

Release yourself of any toxic environments and connections that no longer serve you.

“

In this cycle you are called to go quiet and reflect on what has been. It may feel like a black hole, a pit of nothingness, yet here you are encouraged to wallow and whine and most certainly get to feel a bit sorry for yourself. In a way this celebrates a death of an old you, a death of a period in your life that has completed a cycle. You will need to grieve what has been lost before being able to effectively re-birth your new beginning. In your dark phase you can assess what no longer serves you. You can drop so many of those exhausting

“You have completed a cycle of learning and you feel so overly masterful and empowered that your shadow has stepped in to stop you from learning anything new. Your arrogant ‘I know it all’ is your shadow’s defence to stop you from accessing vital information for the next cycle of your personal, financial, business and spiritual evolution.”(quote from my book). Once you have retreated and released, your last step is to ensure that you genuinely open up to new information by being aware of the I KNOW shadow game. Shadow feeds off negative energy

expectations you burden yourself with, including the desire to be perfect. You can use this introspective time to change your belief system from working hard to a new belief that working is all about having fun! This is not a time to push or manipulate your creativity out of panic or a fear of not enough money. Use this black time to simplify your life, rest and allow inspiration to come towards you organically.

such as fear, struggle and stress and does not want you to be inspired. By-pass this mind control game by going into your heart and feeling what will give you bliss.

In the black cycle you may find yourself going into resistance. Wanting to cling to markets, clients and ideals that your higher intuition says you have now outgrown. Be prepared to release yourself of any toxic environments and connections that no longer serve you.

Spiritually this is your time to believe in Angels, and that there are energy light beings who have the highest intentional support for both your spiritual well-being as well as your material wealth.

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Reflect on the type of customers you would love to work with. Decide the level of income you ideally want to create. Follow your heart and your shadow will have to step aside and release you from the black void into the arms of your new teachers.

BLACK: Your physical body has been giving you signs that you can no longer build up negative energy, surround yourself with self-destructive people and feed your addictions. It needs you to purge and detox immediately.

The old belief systems you hold onto as your truth have passed their sell by date. You have used them to walk a path of chaos and fear and your soul is saying enough is enough. To get your attention, your soul has triggered physical issues and relationship struggles so that you cannot miss the timing for you to make a radical change and stop what is becoming a slow suicide. This date with destiny was set by you before you incarnated, giving permission for you to be reminded – in case you missed the signs – that you will be able to re-start and live your life based on a foundation of forgiveness, love, selfawareness and taking responsibility for yourself. Explore using alternative, complementary and integrative therapies and release permanently the old frequencies of hate, anger, revenge, betrayal and aggression. Study spiritual subjects and immerse yourself in meditative and purifying systems so you can increase your body’s frequency to match the love frequency of the angels.

BLACK: Exhausted and with depleted resources, you are ready to give up. You exist yet feel you are not alive. Unable to even now hear your own voice or feel anything, you find yourself abandoned and alone in a dark void of nothingness. Accept the darkness as a warm blanket that protects and holds you just that little bit longer, giving the rest of the world the time they need to prepare for your re-birth. Use this time of silence and low energy to focus on simplicity, deep breathing and only doing activities that match your energy levels. Allow yourself to experience the emptiness and solitude as a necessary process to prepare you for what is soon going to become a busy, noisy, bustling rush of activity and adventure. Let go of your judgment and shame that being in a black hole should not have happened to you. In this darkness, fine tune into what really matters to you, examining who and what you want to take with you, and what is so done and never needs to be relived again. If needed, ask for therapeutic help from a professional to be your midwife and support you with this re-birth.

DEEP BLACK: Every cycle of growth has a beginning, middle and an end. You tend to use the ‘I Know’ defense to learning more when you are at the end of a cycle, the top of your game. So this becomes a two edged sword; you are acclaimed as having achieved top level success, however your arrogant ‘I know it all already’, is keeping you from the information you need for a new beginning in the next cycle of your personal, financial, business and spiritual evolution. Your fears that you may not be good enough to step up to the next level, or that you will have to switch from being the big fish in your pond to the little vulnerable fish in the unfamiliar bigger pond, has you resisting with ‘I know more than you’ to stay both safe and admired. Shadow wants you to stay in the dark and resist the teachers, mentors, books and knowledge that will inspire your next exciting adventure. Start a swear jar and put in a dollar for every time you say ‘I know’ to help you remove the block that is your shadow’s way of keeping you from bridging the old and the new.

The Black Book October 2020 • 61

COLOURS OF

THE LAW BY STUART RUDNER LEADING EMPLOYMENT LAWYER AND MEDIATOR FOUNDER, RUDNER LAW

62 â&#x20AC;¢ United Colours of Design Magazine

Getting back to

BUSINESS HR law issues you need to be aware of Now that Canada is opening back up, business owners are finding themselves facing new and challenging issues. Are there rules about who you have to bring back and when? And what if someone refuses? Our firm has been trying to help everyone understand their rights and obligations in these unusual times. We have participated in countless webinars, panels, Q&A discussions, and other efforts to educate the general public, and I answer listener questions on 680 News. By far the most common question that we have encountered over the past few months is some variation of “do I have to go back to work when I am recalled?” So what’s the answer? In the vast majority of cases, it is a simple “Yes”. Work is not optional or voluntary. As I have said repeatedly, that is as true now as it was in pre-pandemic days. Similarly, workers do not normally have the right to dictate where they will work. Although they may have been working from home for the past few months, it does not create a right on their part to insist that they will continue to do so. That is true even if they are able to work effectively and efficiently while remote, though we do encourage our corporate clients to continue allowing employees to work from home for now if it is viable to have them do so. Surprisingly, many employers underestimate their rights and are scared to insist that employees must return to the workplace, even when there is no reason that they can’t. That is where Employment Lawyers like our firm come in: we will explain your rights and obligations so you can make an informed decision. Employees refusing to return to work Without a legitimate reason to refuse to work, an individual is at risk of losing not only their job, but their access to government benefits, which are only available to those who cannot work. -->

The Black Book October 2020 • 63

There are three legitimate reasons to refuse to return to work:

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

A leave of absence is a job-protected period of unpaid leave, such as pregnancy/ parental leave. Most provinces have implemented some form of leave of absence for individuals who are unable to work due to COVID-19. For example, those with medical conditions that render them immunocompromised or those with childcare obligations.

Each province features its own human rights legislation which entitles workers to be accommodated for various personal characteristics, such as disability or family status (which includes childcare obligations, to the point of undue hardship). In the context of both leaves of absence and accommodation, there must be a need as opposed to a preference. Many claims for failure to accommodate childcare obligations, for example, fail when the complainant cannot ACCOMMODATION show that there were no other viable options.

Workers that insist that they will simply remain off work, or continue to work from home, can be in for a surprise when they find that their employers have other ways to accommodate their needs. Employers can be proactive by offering options to the employee, such as modified hours, on-site daycare, or other ways to allow the employee to work while addressing any limitations they may be experiencing. The focus is on allowing people to work, not letting them stay home.

REFUSING UNSAFE WORK

In one case, we worked with an employer that had an individual who could not use public transportation during rush hour due to a medical condition, and had asked to stay off work until the pandemic was over. However, they were able to be accommodated by having their hours modified so they would not be traveling during peak times. The return to school Many school boards are offering parents the choice of having their children attend school in person or remotely. It is also very likely that there will be outbreaks in schools, and children will be sent home. So how do you handle an employee that asks to stay home with their children in these scenarios? The bottom line is that employees may not have a right to accommodation, especially if they cannot show that they had no other choice. Another question that arises often is how to handle an employee that must travel to work using public transportation but is concerned about the increased risk of being exposed to the virus. Since the danger is not in the workplace, this would not trigger the right to refuse unsafe work, but there may be a duty to accommodate in some circumstances. Furthermore, employers may want to assess options to help the employees in these circumstances.

Employers have a duty to provide a safe work environment for their employees. Individuals therefore have the right to refuse to work if there is a specific and objective safety risk in the workplace. A Ministry of Labour inspector will be assigned to assess the situation if the employer and employee cannot agree on the safety conditions. It is important to note that, of the large number of complaints made, very few are upheld.

64 â&#x20AC;˘ United Colours of Design Magazine

What to do? If an employee refuses to return to the workplace, talk to them and find out why. If they have a legitimate reason, work with them to find a solution that works for both of you. Avoid assumptions; in some cases, you may be underestimating your rights and in others, you may be risking liability. And while it may sound self-serving, speak with an Employment Lawyer before making any decisions. Once you make a decision, document it clearly.

The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ 65 Photo Credit: Unsplash Mimi Thian

NAVAJO

COL

THERAPY An exercise in black reproduced with permission from Moira Bush

66 â&#x20AC;¢ United Colours of Design Magazine

EXERCISE Wear black for seven days. • • • • • • •

Journal what comes up... How does it make you feel? How do you find yourself speaking? How do you find yourself behaving? How do others react to you when you’re wearing black? Notice the effect this colour has on them? How does it make them feel, speak, behave towards you?

Surround your space in black. • Purchase some flowers and food in this colour • Notice where you see this colour in your life, your home, your office, other people’s homes, gardens etc. • Who do you know that relates to this colour? • Read the article on page 69 for the aspects of black and then notice who in your life is mirroring this colour to you?

The Black Book October 2020 • 67 Photo credit: The Creative Exchange

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68 • United Colours of Design Magazine

THE + AND - OF BLACK As you may have noticed, there are quite a few Colour Mirrors Practitioners and Teachers writing in this magazine. We are here as part of a new wave of heart-centred, soul-driven entrepreneurs ready to come out of the spiritual closet... so to speak. Times are changing and without elements of positive energy in our businesses, potential clients will have no connection to what we do. Gone are the days when you could throw something out into the world without a vision and expect to attract the people you want to work with. You need a little soul to get things moving. So let’s start a new conversation about branding, sales, growth and passion through the lens of colour! This first edition of United Colours of Design starts with Black. On page 67 you were asked to do an exercise to immerse yourself in the colour black. I asked you to come to this page because I want to give you some aspects of black that I have become aware of as a practitioner and teacher of the Colour Mirrors system. SIDE NOTE: Here’s the Coles Notes version of what exactly Colour Mirrors is. It is a dynamic and powerful system that uses colour, energy and light to assist you with healing, enhancing relationships, unlocking potential gifts, guiding you on your path and bringing clarity into any issue or challenge. It originated in South Africa with a woman named Melissie Jolly and brought to Canada by Moira Bush. It consists of 89 colour-combination oil bottles and 29 essence bottles that mirror to you something that needs your personal or business attention. I use this system to help entrepreneurs discover the soul colours of their business and if something comes up... client issues, resistance to a colour, money blocks etc... I encourage my client to work with a bottle and release their challenge. At the very least they get the branding colours to use in their business which automatically ads energy to their brand story... at the most... they eliminate blocks and their business begins to blossom! There’s so much more to chat about, but let’s leave it at this for now.

While you participate and immerse yourself in the exercise on page 67 be present and mindful to any of these aspects presented by you or people you come in contact with. Do you feel protected? Does black boost your confidence? Does it help you stand in your power? Maybe you feel like hibernating or sticking close to home? Are you introspective or energetic? Are you thinking about making changes to your current reality? Are you noticing control issues popping up? Are you more arrogant or angry? Do you feel hidden or unnoticed? Are family issues bubbling up? Does wearing black make you feel depressed? Are you having trouble showing your true colours? All of these aspects can come to the surface while participating in the ex

Both bottles will support you if you find issues coming up during the exercise, you are invited to chat with a CM practitioner for guidance.

The round bottle, if you look closely is not one hundred percent black. It is actually deep deep magenta. It is called Illumination as it is only by going into the darkness and embracing it that we have the potential to step into the light. By embracing the shadow we release the judgment and the fear of the unspeakable that we all hold within our shadows and only by facing that can we get beyond it to a place where creation of our reality can take place. The tall bottle is an essence spritzer called The Black Dragon. This dragon represents death and rebirth. He relates to the phoenix which is always reborn, more beautiful and more powerful than before. This Dragon reminds you that the journey is an endless series of deaths and births - and that is OK. He is black with silver sparkles, indicating that in the darkness there is always light.

The Black Dragon Illumination

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The Black Book is a wrap and now it’s time to move through the colour ascension ladder to Copper!

to life. You can no longer hide, you can no longer make excuses!

Black had us in tears, challenged us to ask serious questions, gave way for us to express our sadness and rage! We’ve been physically muzzled (no matter your political views) we’ve been metaphorically shushed, sending the message that it’s not time to speak out or stand out. But what is most extraordinary is that most of us have seen a glimmer of light and followed it out of the darkness. It’s time to rip of all masks and allow yourself to be heard and seen! Inspiration and creativity have been exposed.

Are you ready to do what you love? Are you ready to make a career change? Are you ready to start that art series or try a new medium? Were you inspired in our planet’s dark night of the soul to take your work out into the world? Whatever your spark of genius was now is the time to act on it.

So now what? As scary as it is to sit in our own personal voids... what do we do now that we’ve decided it was ok to come out of the dark?

Paint with it, draw with it, design with it and then submit it here!!

It doesn’t mean the fear has subsided, we may not even feel fully safe just yet so this is where copper plays a part! Copper grounds us and connects us to Gaia, to Mother Earth. Copper says it’s ok to be a soul in physical body and it is possible to create heaven right here on earth. If you’re made a decision while sitting in black for the last few months it’s time to walk your walk and get ready to do the physical work necessary to bring this vision

Copper is an energy conductor and integrates changes after an initiation. And we’ve all be through a major initiation these past few months... so use copper to support you in getting shit done!!

United Colours of Design wants to see how you are using Copper to ground your designs, your artwork, your mood and your journey! What does it feel like to connect with Mother Earth? What does it look like to you? How are you expressing Heaven on Earth? It’s time to be seen, so Send us your submission for review! This is not a job application, this is a forum for you to showcase your work to your peers, friends, family and colleagues!

Submission details: • • • • • • • •

Who can submit? Artists of any kind, Designers of any kind Must only submit your original work, no submitting on someone else’s behalf please Read the above article in full before deciding to submit Your work should embody the description above, can use other colours but copper should be highlighted Send submissions to ucodmagazine@gmail.com Subject line must be: “UCOD Submission - Your First and Last name” Include one piece per email Limit of 5 submissions

In your submission email please include the following: • • • • • • • •

First and last name Social Media links Head shot 60 word bio 60-100 word description of work Jpeg, png, pdf at 300dpi Your full mailing address Best number to reach you

Significant dates • Deadline for submission: November 1, 2020 • Selection notification will be sent to you by November 15, 2020 • Publication date: January 1, 2021 71

What does Salvador Dali have for breakfast? A bowl of surreal!

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The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ 73

COLOURS OF

ASTROL BY ANN MCVEIGH October - December 2020

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TIMELINE FOR FORECAST: October, November, December 2020 COLOUR FOCUS: Black NUMEROLOGY: 2020 = Number 4 Year, RULING PLANET: Uranus Destruction Clearing, Darkest before the dawn, and Spiritual Blessings. This is a general western Astrological forecast for the next few months. Mars is in Aries, in its home sign but is in Retrograde September 9th to November 13th in Aries, with a war like energy. It’s not happily in Retrograde (when a planet is appearing to move backwards) here, energy is hard to come by, especially for men and with everything dying at this time of year in the Northern hemisphere we are not without hope. Have you got your plan in place for 2021? October 1st is the Full Moon in Aries, and on the 2nd Venus goes into Virgo, connected to Olive green, love and money is hard work. Mercury Retrogrades in Scorpio until October 13th and then back to Libra October 28th to November 10th. This is not the best time to buy technology or sign documents. The New Moon in Libra on the 16th, the Sun goes into Scorpio on the 22nd. Venus enters Libra on the 27th where it is its happiest and balance is restored. Love, money, romance, justice prevails. Colour is soft pink and powder blue. Full Moon in Taurus October 31st on Halloween which makes 2 full moons in a month, and they say it’s a blue moon in this case, a Harvest moon. This will be a time when we fear “will there be enough food” - a feeling of physical discomfort. Dress up for Halloween whether you go out or not, take some selfies and post them online, it might just make someone’s day. On November 3rd Mercury goes direct bringing communication forward in Scorpio and the New moon in Scorpio is definitely the time to pull out your Black

Lace Dress. On the 15th Jupiter conjunct Pluto is a Dark day indeed; viruses could still be out there causing problems. The Full Moon on November 30th and Lunar Eclipse in Gemini means that traveling could be a really bad idea. I don’t know about you but I’ll be home till January. December 14th is the New moon total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius, where you may find a lot of fire energy in your day. If you have been feeling sleepy and not going to the gym or hot yoga studio, this will get you going and having more fun. The next day Venus goes into Sagittarius – this means socializing parties, so take out the silver purple sparkle dress and faux fur. Then Saturn moves back into Aquarius for the next two and a half years, here advancements in technology are prevalent. Saturn’s been in Capricorn representing governments, corporations, capitalism, racism, oppressive world leaders, problems in the global economy, and inequalities of all kinds. Believe it or not it’s to make the world a better place. Aquarius is revolutionary energy; it’s friendly, socializing, humanitarian energies focusing on ways to fix these problems. New Laws and Government will be held accountable - thank goodness. On the 21st the sun goes into Capricorn, and conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, which only happens every 20 years, by now COVID should have slowed down. The 29th is the Full Moon in Cancer and this is connected to the emotions, a highly sensitive time. On New Year’s Eve the moon is in magnificent Leo, say something sweet about how your sweetheart looks.

The Black Book October 2020 • 75

ARIES: Jupiter is now on the top of your solar chart. Your ambitions, career, business goals, and reputation continue to grow and develop. Your talents and skills are recognized now like never before. All of the hard work you’ve put in when Mars was at its best in your sign begins to pay off and is rewarding you as you get recognized. You are in the limelight, wear red & blue in some way during this cycle. Although it’s a great period for expansion and recognition on a professional level, and you should take advantage of it, choose your projects carefully. Don’t take on more than you can handle. While Jupiter brings gifts, these can be wasted if we go to great excess, one day Aries March 21 - April 19 at a time Aries.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Cancer June 22 - July 23

TAURUS: Your ambition increases, and so does the enjoyment of what you’re doing and where you’re going. This is a good time for feeling both motivated and inspired; you are no longer tolerant of negativity (2020). You have a great desire to grow, improve, and transform your entire life now. This can be a time when you make friends in foreign places, who have very different backgrounds or perspectives than you and who inspire your life during this powerful time. You are likely to enjoy opportunities to expand your experiences and you really impress others. This could be a time for educational pursuits that could lead to important opportunities in your work area. You are in the spotlight in some way during this time. Although it’s a great period for expansion and recognition on a professional level try to take advantage of anything that comes your way now. Be careful of situations that could get blown out of proportion or misunderstood. While Jupiter brings luck and gifts, these can be a problem if we spend more than we make. It can be a time of significant progress in your career, a fortunate change in status, new job or business, increased recognition. GEMINI: While you are attracting others magnetically especially during the Solar and Lunar Eclipses, this will play a big part in your love life, but you could be a little recluse or hesitant about pushing forward when it comes to love. Ask yourself this, “what does my heart truly need” to really understand myself more intimately. At this time you’re likely to take a good look at what changes to make to your personal image, beauty, finances, and love relationships. Try to find time for fun as well, wear blue & yellow to help brighten your day. Mars is retrograde at this time slowing down your social life, not something that sits well with you. There can be some heavy issues and delays now. If your dreams are not manifesting fast enough, make some modifications to your everyday life until Mars goes direct. There can be a return to an old friendship or troubles from the past resurfacing in a current one. CANCER: October starts out very intense but something’s from the past are coming back in a positive way due to the mercury retrograde in a water sign. New career paths developing will feel like you are almost like reinventing yourself. Cancer, if you’re single you might feel very alone, your life might suddenly need a plan to find someone special and strong, a committed partnership. Please don’t lose hope, it’s just temporary, try to hear the messages the universe is sending you through this experience, meditation and positive affirmations work for me. Basically Pluto has been in your 7th house of committed relationships and hidden enemies since 2008 and until 2023. Saturn is there so it hasn’t been easy, but there is good news and some much needed relief when they both move forward into Aquarius in mid-December. Many hard lessons were learned and now it’s time to put what you learned into action, like the way a butterfly finds a new life. With Jupiter in our 7th house some of you could be making a commitment this year. If a relationship cannot withstand the tests of time, remember that relationships “lost” during a Saturn transit to your partnership sector generally are not good for you in the long run. If your wedding plans were delayed or signing contracts, look at it as a blessing. Next year will be better and 2022 even better. It is awakening you to a new way of life, the past is gone forever, nothing could be worse than 2020. Say yes and show up to all invitations with Venus in Scorpio in your 5th house of romance. Dress in your most vibrant red dress and black lace stockings, heads will turn.

76 • United Colours of Design Magazine

Leo July 24 - Aug. 23

Virgo Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

Libra Sept 23 - Oct. 22

Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 22

LEO: Leo you are the King or Queen at love or work, and things are looking good. Venus in Libra October 27th and Mars in Aries will makes you feel marvelous. Maybe you moved or got a new job with more money and your relationships received a boost of energy mid-December. Your ability and powers in business negotiations begin to grow and expand until December 2021. You will be more successful in a partnership or improve your relationship status at this time. You are in the limelight and good may come your way in career matters. If it’s a new partnership the time is now, opportunities will arise, or bringing fresh energy to an existing committed relationship will emerge. If a relationship comes into your life now it can be successful and happy with benefits. Sometimes, this transit absolves an existing partnership, but if this is the case, it is likely to come as a relief, or it is a “blessing in disguise.” Meeting someone better for you at this point in your life may be the reason for this, although it’s important not to jump into something new blindly. Your ability to get along with others is enhanced as you are especially willing to compromise, and you are more attractive than usual. Pull out that gold dress, silver strappy high heels and do your hair up in a big way.

VIRGO: So Virgo all the difficult plants in Capricorn making us all crazy, are in your 5th house of creativity, romance, children, joy, self-expression and bring you happiness. With Jupiter and Pluto so powerful together as they have moved through much of 2020, you’re very determined to do things right this year. Whether it’s a new love or love of self, be kind to yourself and let it happen. Jupiter in Capricorn is there until December 17th then moves into your 6th house of work and health, so expect improvements in this area. Saturn is a disciplinarian, and while it brings powerful and useful lessons, it’s also a serious and heavy influence. By December 17th, Saturn will have moved into Aquarius and your solar sixth house of work and health, but before it does it will leave a gift. Try to get to some festive house parties in December, meet up with old friends, wear something comfortable but throw in a sparkly scarf that matches your outfit and let your hair down.

LIBRA: With Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn in your 4th house of home, you are moving towards improved emotional foundations with regards’ to home and family life. At this time you will benefit in a powerful way if you reconstruct your life either physically or emotionally at home. After all “home is where the heart is.” De-clutter, throw out what no longer serves you, put in a new vegetable garden, saltwater pool, or gazebo? In December you get a powerful new start regarding fun in your romantic life, children and perhaps a new hobby, as Jupiter and Saturn are going into your fifth house. Mars is in your 7th house, so it is time to bring your sexy back. A new powder blue sparkle dress with knee high boots should do the trick.

SCORPIO: What’s going on Scorpio, do you have hidden talents you are not even aware of? This is a powerful time for achieving, and discovering new goals. Do you want to teach people what you know or want to take a course so you can take what you know to a new level? Why not, you have till the 17th of December and then it’s all about your home and family life. Why not paint the bedroom, black walls come to mind or red pillows, this is your sanctuary and the sky’s the limit. Time for Black Lace Dresses and stilettos if you’re going to be home in the winter months, you might as well keep things hot and interesting especially on the full moon in Taurus October 31st.

The Black Book October 2020 • 77

Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 20

Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

Aquarius Jan 21 - Feb. 19

Pisces Feb. 20 - March 20

SAGITTARIUS: Planet Jupiter is going through your second house of luck and earnings until December 17th. You are likely to see and enjoy benefits to your earning power and value system. Jupiter in this part of your chart could very well bring a profitable and productive period. You feel more confident and enthusiastic about your ability to save money for a rainy day as you attract more income. This is not a time to gamble or take financial risks. Saturn is here till December 17th holding you accountable, Jupiter and Saturn will go into your 3rd house of higher education and communication. Look back at 12 years ago, and did you go back to school or do some kind of training at work? Also with Saturn here it causes us to slow down and pay more attention to what is around us in our everyday life. With Venus in the 12th house love may be behind closed doors or a secret love affair, and that’s kind of exciting. Then Venus will go into your first house December 15th - you are looking hot, sexy, and beautiful. Great time for a new hair cut or full day at the SPA. CAPRICORN: Mars is in your 4th house of home - are things like kitchen appliances breaking down? Energy is stagnant till Mars goes direct November 13th. Mars square Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto now until December; challenges are on the home front, confronting the issues that have been ongoing. Once Saturn moves into Aquarius you will feel like a Phoenix coming out of the ashes and if you have been wearing black it’s time to pull out the earthy colours, olive green, or copper with gold running through it and looking very Goddess like, Gaia comes to mind. Jupiter in your first house of self,“look at me I’m wonderful”, will bring benefits to you for change and help improve your life. There will be new adventures and bringing about a whole new you. Then it goes into your second house of money (sweet!), we all want some improvements in our finances and so use this influence wisely. AQUARIUS: Jupiter has been in your solar twelfth house all year, showing you the benefits and yes, joy and putting an end to outdated attitudes or situations in your life. Once it goes into your first house of self, mid-December, you can now expand yourself into who you have become to the world and how people see you on a whole. Be careful of weight gain so walk and move frequently, but it does help bring more clarity, purpose, and structure into your life, to things that have been lacking and sometimes bringing you down the last 12 years. At the same time Jupiter enters your sign just two days after Saturn enters Aquarius in December for the next 2 and a half years. While Jupiter expands, Saturn constricts. Fortunately, even though these planets have many opposite functions, they tend to work together quite well. In fact, they may be considered a power team. You can feel the incredible powerful energy coming into your life, very productive and effective from December forward. You can find a lot of pleasure and joy in exercising more self-discipline and initiative. Until then, there is quite a bit of inner work or preparation to do, and you have Jupiter helping you on these fronts this year, many burdens are now behind you. Uranus continues to shake up your personal or domestic world. Changes on the home front, with family, or with living arrangements, I will talk about this more in 2021.You may frequently feel as if you’re on the verge of something great this year Aquarius, and you are! Patience will benefit you greatly now as you prepare and plan in 2021. With so many new beginnings for you next year I think that you need to bring out the red lipstick, wigs, fun hats, hot pink boas and plan a house party with your closest friends and family. PISCES: With Mars in your 2nd house of money and self-worth, things have been good, but will slow down September 9th till November 13th. A lot happened this year. How are you feeling about your self-worth? Don’t get too down on yourself, with Venus in Virgo in your 7th house in October you are getting along with your partner very well, as well as other people or your relationships in general. With Jupiter conjunct Saturn in December in Aquarius, be careful to take care of your mental and emotional health. Reach out to close friends and family more often so you have warmth and love at this time. Even if you don’t feel like going out for a long walk or to parties, put on that beautiful Indigo dress and magnificent smile that lights up a room every time, my sweet sensitive Pisces.

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COLOURS OF

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A Skillful Parent’s

BACKPACK October means we are one month into a new school year and everyone is conscious of staying healthy and protecting others. Stress is common these days as parents and students face new educational choices. Here are some fun stress busting ideas to do together. My suggestions are based on my experience as a Behavioural Teaching Assistant, Mom and Nana. I’ve included author’s names and resource titles in bolded font so parents can google topics of interest.

The Black Book October 2020 • 81

Wear your magic glasses! You and your child/ren can have fun picking out inexpensive pairs of funky magic glasses. Creative people may decide to choose items from the craft section to create and decorate unique magic glasses. Put your glasses on and take turns sharing what you consider your positive character traits. Encourage your child to describe their personality using some conversation starter questions. Do they consider themselves chatty or shy? Are they relaxed or get frustrated and angry quickly? Can they share, negotiate, take turns and play by the rules? Do they play using their imagination to include and inspire others? Is being organized a strength? Is it easier to focus on one task for a lengthy period of time or shorter activities with frequent changes? After your conversation, take time to quietly identify their innate talents and challenges. Think of it as a Social Skills Checklist. You can also ask a trusted adult in your child’s life to share their insight. This information helps you and your child build positive self-esteem and aids in creating a strength based plan if troubling behaviour occurs. Make a habit of wearing your magic glasses regularly to encourage the practice of seeing positive qualities in yourselves and others.

Check your feelings Children sometimes have difficulty connecting how feelings impact behaviour because they don’t recognize the way their body reacts. Encourage your child’s inner actor as you take selfies of your child demonstrating various expressions. Work together on creating a collage that can be posted somewhere prominent for easy reference. Talk about body language and how it gives clues to peoples’ moods. It’s easy for adults and children to show each other how they are feeling with a quick point to the appropriate selfie. ‘Feelings Charades’ is an entertaining way to give real life examples as well. Then put on your magic glasses, choose a favourite book, t.v show or movie and have your child practice empathizing and identifying how the characters are feeling. Movie night complete with snacks to watch Disney’s movie “Inside Out” is a terrific way of illustrating the concept.

Photo Credits: M

82 • United Colours of Design Magazine

Patience

Practice

Persistence

Wave that Flag!!! Make a set of 3 flags to represent Patience, Practice and Persistence. I imagine them with giant glittery letter P’s but feel free to decorate them to suit your inner artists. Then write a family cheer to recite while waving the flags. Use them to encourage anyone actively learning a skill. Ask your child how they would feel when cheering on a younger sibling learning to walk, parents experimenting with a new recipe or other family members attempting something new. It’s a fun way to encourage resilience, the ability to bounce back. Model patience for your child showing them how to take a minute, do an emotional temperature check and stay calm during frustrating situations. (My personal mantra is “Stay calm, cool and collected!”) Reassure them that learning can take time and practice. If you plant a seed together, waiting for it to sprout is a concrete example of the act of patience. Reinforce that practice is essential, nobody does things perfectly the first time. Persistence is powerful when you encourage the effort, not the result. Enjoy Aesop’s Fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” together. Wave your flags and cheer the tortoise on as his persistence wins the race. Your positive mindset will encourage your child to follow your example.

Quiet time Finally, pick a quiet time so you and your child can snuggle while reading How Full is your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer. Fill a bucket with small items that represent joy, curiosity, wonder, a sense of humour, fun, good deeds, compliments, respect and courtesy. Then find opportunities to fill people’s buckets with acts of kindness!

Miguel Castellanos, Ryan Franco, Vecteezy

The Black Book October 2020 • 83

COLOURS OF

INTIMACY BY JENNIFER LOVE SACRED ART OF TANTRA

84 â&#x20AC;¢ United Colours of Design Magazine

Let’s add some

JUICE to your creativity Before we dive in, I would like to ask you a question: What comes to mind when you think of the colour black and the word intimacy? I asked this to a few people and some of their answers were - black leather, latex, bondage, and having sex in the dark, just to name a few. It became noticeably clear that intimacy means different things to different people and when you add an exciting colour like black to the mix, it really adds spice to the word. Just to be clear intimacy is not sex – it is possible to have sex without intimacy as well as intimacy without sex.

The Black Book October 2020 • 85

Your sexuality is directly connected to your creativity. The easier it is to express yourself sexually, the easier it is to share your creative gifts with the world and vice versa. Your sacral chakra controls both aspects. It is of great importance for creatives, such as yourself, to keep this energy centre open and balanced. If there are any types of blocks here, both your sexuality and creativity will be affected. You may also experience issues with intimacy and connection to others as a result. In this column, we will be focusing on the intimacy you have with YOURSELF. The initial step to deep intimacy with another person is to first know and like yourself. By coming to know and value yourself, you identify your innermost feelings and needs and develop the security to share them with others. You also create space to dive deeply into the void within you. Into your core. The centre of your being that you may never have experienced, nor know the depths that reside there. For this black issue, I invite you to begin your journey into

“

When you can bravely step into the dark and experience it, you will begin to see the light

“

your inner reality. I invite you to ask yourself a question: What are your biggest fears around intimacy (with yourself or with others)? Many people struggle with intimacy because their fears of being hurt are so strong. When you begin to look within yourself you may find hidden abandonment issues, fears of being rejected, control issues or even past trauma or abuse. Whatever is there, it needs to be expressed and released so that you can go even deeper within. Your creative centre, the place where your “Genius” resides, can only be reached as each layer is revealed and peeled away gently. I invite you to step into the black, into the darkness within, into all that is hidden there. I invite you to begin your exploration. When you can bravely step into the dark and experience it, you will begin to see the light that is there also. Only when you can be intimate with every part of yourself, the light and the dark, can you then be intimate with another. When you can love yourself for exactly who you are in this moment, you allow for your inner truth to be revealed. You allow for your creative gifts to expand and reach new heights you may have never even dreamed of. You can then share yourself and your gifts with the world and fulfill your life’s purpose! This is our mission together here in this column. I look forward to accompanying you on this journey as we explore the Colours of Intimacy.

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Click to listen to free meditation

The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ 87

COLOURS OF

ENERGY BY KATHRYN DZSUDZSAK THE BLUE HAIR MEDIUM

88 â&#x20AC;¢ United Colours of Design Magazine

Your body holds secret

MESSAGES let’s decode them together Did you know that you can change your life by sensing your energies? Shift your energy and thus change your life? Everything is energy, including us. We have a vibration and frequency. We are all vibrating at certain frequencies. That is why a table is hard and water flows. The table is at a lower vibration/frequency, thus it is hard. Water is a higher vibration/frequency and that is why it is liquid. It is quite the amazing system our energetic body and there is a lot to know and learn. I want to touch on our entire energetic body. Many of you already know about “chakras” aka energy centres. Many of you work with your “chakras” and balance them already, some of you may not completely understand what chakras are or maybe you haven’t even heard about them and that’s what I am setting out to do. Let’s begin to shift and transform your life, business or both! Let’s shift out what no longer belongs there! I hope that those of you who are already tuned to your “chakras” will also join in. To make things a bit easier to understand for those that are new or just learning about energy centres (“chakras”), below are some questions that most people ask.

The Black Book October 2020 • 89

Q&A What are energy centres? Energy centres or “chakras” is the energy within our bodies. Our energy centre runs up the middle of our bodies. Your central nervous system, or spine, is the easiest way to envision these energy centres. There are many energy centres but most people work with the major 7 “chakras”. Each “chakra” is associated with an organ, gland, chemistry and body part within our physical and energetic body. Being a Medium and energy worker, those are what I work with, and on when I am assisting clients. Each “chakra” carries its own message to your body and brain and when you are out of balance, that’s when people contact me for a reading or energy balance session.

What do they do? There are hundreds of “chakras” and they are all over our body. Everything that we do in life has a connection to that energy center. If you’re feeling angry, we would look at what’s happening in the root chakra or base energy centre. That is located at the base of your spine. If you feel deflated and powerless, what is going on in your solar plexus? That is located just near the bottom of your rib cage. When we have a “negative” feeling or things are going sideways, taking a look at the chakra that is associated with that “thing” will give you a direction and most of the time, the answer. Why are they so important in our lives? Our energy centres basically run our body, emotional and mental state. When we are in a negative state of mind or our energy is out of whack, things begin to go wrong, we begin to notice health issues. Example: what if you are not speaking your truth? You may constantly suffer from sore throats, frogs in your throat or laryngitis? Your throat chakra will be out of balance or blocked. When we shift our energy to a more positive frequency, wonderful things begin to happen. Things just show up! Those “ah-ha” moments and “how did that happen” moments become more frequent. We begin to feel better, sleep better, think better. Now is the time to tune into those energy centres and become physically, emotionally and mentally healthy!

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How do I know when I’m out of balance or blocked? Easiest way to explain this is: If your base energy centre/root chakra is out of balanced, you may feel excessive negativity, greed or, feeling as if you are living in constant survival mode. A “blocked” root chakra not only creates an imbalance in energy flow throughout the body, but it can also instigate feelings of restlessness. Another way we know that we have a block is, the things we are needing in life come very slowly or difficult. Remember, everything about us is energy so you must be careful on how you think and talk. If you say “I will never have”, you have just said “energetically” I don’t want it. That also is associated with a blocked chakra. Why are you feeling this way? It’s time to discover your hidden treasure trove of health, well being and begin living your life!

How and what do I get them back in balance? There a many ways to get your chakras back into balance. Diet, exercise, meditation are just a few. Some people that are really out of balance go to someone like myself who does chakra/energy balancing and correcting. How will I know if I am back in balance? You will know once you are back in balance because you will feel it for sure! Whatever “symptom or pain” you may have been experiencing begins to diminish if not disappear. You will feel happier, more rested, less stressed peaceful if the chakra is correctly balanced. Any physical issue will begin to go away as well. Having your energy centres/chakras balanced and moving freely will help you when making business or life decisions. Ask yourself, the decisions you make in your life, are they your decisions? Are the choices in your life what YOU want or are your decisions/ choses based on someone else’s expectations? This is a typical response to a blocked or “dirty” solar plexus or the energy centre in your stomach area. That is your power centre.

Nancy Darlene – Intuitive Artist Nancy’s work is abstract but with a twist. As you look at the picture, images emerge and is usually followed by an emotional response. Nancy’s passion is to bring joy and healing in whatever capacity she can. Her love for life and to create beauty all around is her intention. Her art is to assist in shifting awareness, which in turn provides healing Nancy’s passion developed out of her own inner turmoil, brought on by twists and turns in her life. Nancy used art to help her personal healing journey and now she is sharing it with the world.

If you’ve been feeling scattered, lost, feeling like you are free falling or what we call ungrounded, it’s time to get balanced. In each edition of United Colours of Design, I will be talking about different energy centres, what they do, how they affect us and how to balance them. I will also talk about how not to talk to yourself. Law of Attraction is real! I will give simple and easy exercises to assist in clearing and balancing. Nothing hard or cumbersome, simple and fun. Find out how you tick. Be your own clock. Not just

much of your life decisions or choices are based on someone else’s expectations, decisions, choices? We have all heard “you should do this or you should not do that”. Are you your Mom or Dad? No! You are YOU and your life is YOURS. Am I asking you to step outside of your safety zone? Absolutely. Who knows your truth better than yourself? Who better knows yourself than you? And don’t say that my partner knows me better than I do, because no, they don’t. They know a side of you that they see from their

Click HERE to listen to a special meditation the minute hand but be the second hand and everything in between. It’s not just about chakras, it’s the energy that our bodies radiate. What do we do with it? How do you keep them clean and in balance so we can have everything that we deserve and yes, desire? Let’s keep our energies stable over these next 3 months. No one knows what you want more than yourself. How

view. It all comes down to you the fact that YOU are YOU. Each article will have a meditation that you can listen to on a daily basis if you wish. The articles that I will be writing about are to help you to grow and blossom into that amazing person, YOU. To have the most amazing life that you could possibly have. That includes abundance of love. That includes abundance of finances. That includes abundance of spiritual and energetic energies of the highest good for YOU.

The Black Book October 2020 • 91

EXERCISE Aligning Your Energy Centres/Chakras Let’s begin by getting your energy centres/chakras to be aligned with each other. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. •

Keep a relaxed posture (a stiff back may block the opening of the energy centres).

•

Stretch your arms up high above your head and tuck your buttocks under slightly.

•

Keep reaching as high as you possibly can with your entire body.

•

Make sure you breathe!

•

Breath from you belly not your upper chest.

•

Breathing from the upper chest is the fight and flight response. Breathing from the belly puts you into a relaxed state. Feel your body elongating. With each inhale stretch a little bit more.

Keep reaching for the sky on each inhale and exhale. Feel how tall your body is beginning to feel. This stretched out posture encourages your chakras to align. When ready, lower your arms on an exhale. •

Be aware of how tall your body feels.

•

Keep this posture to help your body stay in line with your spine.

•

Focus on how aligned your pelvis, abdomen, belly, chest, throat and head are.

•

Ensure your feet stay firmly planted underneath you.

•

Feel how connected your energy centres are and how they align with your spine or central core.

You can do this in a seated position as well. •

Sit in a chair or cross-legged on the floor.

•

Slowly slump forward and then sit back up to a relatively straight spine to centre yourself.

•

Close your eyes and feel the difference of how the energy is in your body as well as in your mind.

•

You may notice that your mind is a bit clearer as well.

You can do this on a weekly basis. It is great if you need a quick fix, it will only enhance your life! Or you can make this part of your morning routine and get energized and motivated.

92 • United Colours of Design Magazine

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COLOURS OF

HEALTH & WELLNESS BY LISA BERRY TRANSFORMATIONAL LIFE COACH HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST

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You’re going to want what’s in my little

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The Little Black Book for Wellness Match making you to a few contacts in my Little Black Book for a passionate and satisfying experience. Today’s wellness video (click image above) gives you the juicy details of the pleasure and health benefits these attractive foods bring. Fall in love with the foods that are right for you. Experience a healthy relationship with your diet and blossom into the energetic being you were meant to be, because the nutrients exist in the foods you choose.

The Black Book October 2020 • 95

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Dasha Eremeeva Republic of Belarus

Since 2015, DASHA has worked hard to create her own combination of photography style - fine art, creativity and fashion. It was this combination that began to attract a lot of attention and brought worldwide fame. During the same period, DASHA began to participate in world photo contests and over the past 5 years she has won more than 20 prestigious awards around the world. One of the most important awards was the victory in the competition from the Federation of European Photographers where DASHA won the Grand Prix and became the Best Professional Photographer in Europe 2020 This prize went to a woman for the first time and for the first time to an author from all over Eastern Europe in the history of the competition. The main idea of all photo sessions is that everything is done for real. Real make-up, costume, accessories - everything is made by hand. Thus, DASHA achieves in photography what she wants - to be a photo-artist. She has much experience in developing ideas for photography of any kind. DASHA knows how to work with a team, gathering and motivating all participants to complete the project with the highest result.

www.dashafoto.com

BEST PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF EUROPE 2020

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COW Animal prints often inspire me to experiment. Everything that is created by nature is perfection. I have explored other prints but the cow print has always intrigued me. I thought about this idea and started preparing. Immediately I ran into problems. I wanted to find a girl with voluminous shapes to emphasize the femininity of this image as a symbol of the mother. I invited many women to take part in my project, but as soon as I told them what I wanted to do, people reacted with anger and shock. Many refused, saying that this was a great insult to them. Although this shoot was originally meant to speak about perfection, the reactions revealed a different outcome. This story now speaks of how much the world has changed and how much people are in conflict, how much the opinion of others affects and matters to people. After all, it was the opinions of other people that many women refused to participate in this project. Despite all the difficulties with the selection of a model, I still made this project. If you are interested in seeing the video of it’s creation please click the link on this page. This is many hours of makeup, hard and long work. A special distinguishing feature of my art is that I initially create art in the real world and only then do I start taking photos. Many people didn’t believe that this was actually makeup. They thought that I did it digitally. The video is to validate my art and show people the process of my creation.

The Black Book October 2020 • 99

100

My name is Deborah Kasongo and I am the founder of “DeeKaayArt”! I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology and minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Ryerson University! I am also a lifestyle social media Influencer, using the platforms of Instagram and YouTube! I’ve always loved art and design! During September 2019, I decided to follow my dreams and open up my own Online Art Shop! I am now an abstract painter and a digital artist! I paint unique paintings and design digital pieces that could fit perfectly in someone’s home! I feel like art allows us to connect and it’s interesting how differently people view art and the message behind an art piece! My art sends a message and that message can be different for every person! Art = Freedom!

These two art pieces are a great representation of “DeeKaayArt”! They represent where I was born, Africa! I painted the continent of Africa and decided to add an abstract background to showcase the chaos, pain, poverty and corruption that surrounds the continent. I painted the actual continent gold to show how rich the continent is in natural resources! I created Mama Africa to represent the African Mother whose identity lies within the African culture. Her head wrap holds her natural hair and becomes part of her identity.

DEBORAH KASONGO • ARTIST • CANADA The Black Book October 2020 • 101

ELAINE PIPHER • ARTIST • CANADA

When I started speaking UCOD into being, I had many people who wanted to participate. The response was overwhelming!! Elaine is a friend and was inspired to create this piece after I had told her about a vision I had during a meditation . During my meditation, I found myself sitting on a beach basking in the moonlight feeling quite despondent. From a distance I could see the shape of a magnificent creature gliding through the silver rays bouncing off the ocean. Elaine Pipher was born in England and has worked in Toronto Canada for the last 31 years as a Registered Nurse. Art has always been a passion since she was young and over the years she has created gifts of custom portraits, caricatures, and cartoons for friends, family, and work colleagues. She mostly works with pastels, markers and coloured pencils Elaine Joined the Colour Mirrors Practitioner family in March 2020.

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It seemed as though the shadow was going to keep on it’s course and not stop and sit with me. However, I silently willed the sparkling black dragon to enlighten me with a visit. Her wings wrapped themselves around me and without words she let me know that all would be well. That I was going to go through a re-birth and with it I would support many people. Shortly after this encounter the idea for UCOD was conceived and you are now reading my vision! Thank you Elaine for providing me with the gift of your art work! Much gratitude and love to you my friend, xo Amy Barroso

RITU NEB PROFESSIONAL EXPRESSIVE DANCE INSTRUCTOR • CANADA

Click image to watch the production

UNITED

COLOURS OF DESIGN

Inaugural Edition Special Production by Pure Soul Energy A Journey in Black Life is a cycle through the entire spectrum of colour. I travel into the darkness of my soul, sitting in contemplation with what hides deep inside. I sit and wait for a glimmer of light, a shimmering path of joy that leads me out of the void. My awakening. My rebirth.

The really cool thing about creating something from nothing is that there are no boundaries. No one to say... you can’t do that! My original idea for this magazine was to focus on visual artists ... but when Ritu approached me about participating in the magazine... that concept was challenged. After chatting with her I was so enchanted by her joy-filled personality... I needed to have her involved somehow. Imagine my surprise when she was open to creating a special performance dedicated to the colour black! We had a brief conversation about the philosophy behind this colour and then she ran with it. In true Bollywood style she delivered an emotional, exciting, fun choreographed production complete with top hats and multiple locations. When she sent me the preview I was in awe of what she had accomplished in such a short period of time! I was quite emotional as well. It was overwhelming that someone I barely knew would do such a beautiful thing to support this new and growing community of artists. Thank you Ritu and all of your dancers for honouring the inaugural edition in this way. xo Amy Barroso

Ritu Neb is the owner of Pure Soul Energy Dance Studio. Classes are inspired by the Bollywood dance scene and authentic cultural moves. All are presented in a simple and age appropriate way. There is just enough challenge to get students of all levels engaged and excited. She is also a valued and award winning member of Toastmasters (District 60) and owner of Elegant Media a graphics and web design company.

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poet

artist

TASHA BODNARCHUK YANA BANZEN

Tashaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion is thinking outside the box by infusing art, poetry, creative writing, mindful movement and dance into her Holistic Counsellor practice to create emotional, physical and spiritual catharsis and healing experiences. Living and working in Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Costa Rica has expanded her knowledge of working in different communities and has allowed her to work holistically. Tasha is also the editor and proof reader for United Colours of Design magazine.

Yana Banzen is a lawyer, digital nomad, international yoga teacher and an artist currently based in Toronto. She lived in Kazakhstan before she came to Canada and after several years of law practice in Toronto her desire to live from her heart led her to explore life in Thailand and Costa Rica. Her life is inspired by examining the psyche, living from a soulful place, and copious amounts of coffee.

The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ 105

HISTORY OF

BLACK Prepared and compiled by Anastasia Kravtsova

Since the beginning of human existence, colour has played an integral role in the way we describe the world around us. From the first pigments drawn out of the earth to the earliest civilizations creating vibrant pigments from base materials when no such colour was naturally available, colour has always played an important part in recording the history of mankind. Our ingenuity in fashioning colour out of dirt led to the magnificence of medieval manuscripts, the art of the Renaissance, and the expressions of the 20th-century Modernism. Modern science has brought us colours of unimaginable vibrancy and pigments. Black is associated with power, fear, mystery, strength, authority, elegance, formality, death, evil, and aggression, authority, rebellion, and sophistication. Black is required for all other colours to have depth and variation of hue. The colour black can be serious, professional, and conventional, but black can also represent the mysterious, sexy, and sophisticated. Black is a visually slimming colour for clothing and like other dark colours, in interior design, black can make a room appear to shrink in size. In western countries black is the colour of mourning, death, and sadness. Black often represents the emotions and actions of rebellion in teenagers and youth. The colour black can represent both the positive and the negative. As the opposite of white, movies, books, print media, and television typically depict the good guy in white and the bad guy in black. In more recent times, the good guy is shown in black to create mystery around the characterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity. Basically black is the end and the beginning at the same time. It is the colour of rebirth. Without shades and depth no-one would appreciate the brightness. Any colour (shade or tint) always has two decisive characteristics: 1. colour intensity (brightness) and light intensity (lightness). Black is very unique due those characteristics.

A colour has many faces, and one colour can be made to appear as two different colours. But what is black actually made of? Let`s look at the very basics first and discover the history of black as a colour.

LAMP BLACK. Lamp black has been around since prehistoric times.

106 â&#x20AC;˘ United Colours of Design Magazine

This light-fast, permanent, opaque blue-black pigment was used by the Ancient Egyptians more than 4000 years ago for painting tombs and murals. They preferred its fineness and deep black colour to the grey-black of charcoal. As you`d expect from its name, lamp black is made by collecting soot from beeswax candles or lamps that burn tallow, resin or oil. The manufacturing methods have been refined over thousands of years and many raw materials have been experimented with. The legendary Ancient Greek artist Apelles is credited with inventing a lamp black called atramentum elephantinum by collecting the soot of burnt ivory tusks. The Romans made lamp black by burning the dregs of wine - apparently the best wines produced a blue-black colour that was equal to indigo. Throughout history, lamp black has been employed to make writing and drawing inks. It has an extremely fine grain and does not need further grinding. At the same time as the first Egyptian pharaohs, the Chinese combined lamp black and animal glue to create Chinese ink. Later, the raw materials were traded from India and the English renamed it Indian ink. In recent years, the production of true lamp black has been generally replaced by the burning of acetylene gas rather than oils to create a purer carbon black.

BONE BLACK Burning bones to create pigments is an ancient practice. Bone black is made by putting fragments of animal bones into a crucible and surrounding them with blazing coals. However, to prevent the bone turning to ash, the vessel is covered to stop air from getting in. Exposure to intense heat in the absence of oxygen turns the bones into carbonized char. After the char has cooled, it is pulverized in a mortar and pestle. Found in prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek and Roman art, bone black was used throughout The Middle Ages and Renaissance. Medieval artisans refined the process by washing the pigment with water, filtering it and grinding it even finer on a stone slab. This increased the intensity of the colour. Depending on the quality of preparation and the type of

bone used, a variety of black hues can be created, all the way from a blue-black through to brown. Up until The Middle Ages, bone black was not used as widely as charcoal black, probably because of the hardness of the raw material and the difficulty of grinding it down to a fine powder. Bone black is still in use today, but often sold under the name ivory black. Genuine ivory black is made by charring waste ivory pieces and the supply was always limited because of the scarcity of ivory. However, with the outlawing of the ivory trade, the pigment now sold under this name is actually a bone black with added carbon content to increase its darkness.

VINE BLACK The most prized charcoal is made of vines. Nearly any kind of wood will make charcoal but charring desiccated grapevines and stems make vine black - the deepest rich blue-black there is. The vines can be of any thickness but, because the wood shrinks as it turns into charcoal, thicker sprigs are normally selected. The bark is peeled away and if the vines are cut from fresh, living plants they are dried for a few days before charring. The vines are packed tightly in tins, which are covered and sealed to prevent oxygen entering, and then roasted slowly over a fire. The vines cannot be burnt in the air, as this will turn them to ashes instead of carbon. It is important that the vines are charred thoroughly and if this isn`t done, the colour will be brownish and the charcoal will have an unpleasant consistency. The conversion of vines to carbon takes several hours of roasting. The finished charcoal can be used as a drawing implement or can be ground into a fine powder to make vine black pigment for ink or paint. Charcoal was often used as a key component of cave painting with examples dating back at least 28,000 years. Since then, many cultures have used charcoal for art, camouflage and in rites of passage. Nowadays, charcoal (made mostly from willow) is used for drawing. Its softness is particularly useful for rapid mark-making in rich black. PEACH BLACK This carbon black is made by charring peach stones. Used from The Middle Ages onwards, this finely ground black pigment is one of a family of impure carbon blacks that are derived from the shells or the kernel of fruits like cherry, almond, walnut and coconut. Peach black is close in chemical composition to other char blacks, such as the charcoals of vines and willow. Unlike lamp blacks, which are made by creating airborne soots, char blacks retain some of the original structure of their raw materials. The manufacturing process of peach black is also very

similar to other char blacks. When the peach stones are roasted it is essential that air is excluded. If air gets in, the stone will burn and turn into white ash instead of carbon. Opaque and with excellent covering power, this deep blue-black pigment was recommended for water colours. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very slow drying times - a result of residual tarry material in the pigment - meant it was rarely used in oil painting. Due to the expense of collecting the stones and processing the pigment, peach black has generally fallen out of production. Peach and other fruit-stone blacks did, however, find a life-saving application in World War 1. When Germany started using deadly chlorine gas against the allied troops in the trenches, an American chemist found a solution by filling gas masks with activated charcoal made from natural fibers such as those found in peach stones. The Red Cross organized the collection of millions of peach stones that were turned into charcoal, and consequently saved countless lives. VANTABLACK This is one of the strangest pigments ever created. Vantablack is made of a forest of vertical tubes that are grown on a surface. Incredibly, it is the darkest material on the planet. Vantablack is an acronym of Vertically Aligned NanoTube Arrays. Made by a process of chemical vapour deposition, it absorbs up to 99.96 % of all visible light. When light hits Vantablack`s surface, instead of bouncing off as would happen with a standard colour pigment, it becomes trapped and deflected among the structure of evenly spaced nanotubes, eventually being almost completely absorbed. The fraction of light the coating does reflect comes from light particles that hit the very tops of the tubes. On a flat surface, it initially looks like an incredibly dark black, but when applied to a three-dimensional object, the form almost vanishes into a two-dimensional silhouette. Nanotubes are incredibly small. One square centimetre contains approximately one billion nanotubes, even though more than 99 per cent of the material is empty space. Its delicacy means that it cannot be touched without damaging the coating. It would collapse under the weight of contact. Vantablack`s development has been driven by scientific applications in which the surface won`t be disturbed by physical contact. When used in telescopes in space, its function is to absorb any stray, unwanted light that might interfere with the instruments. Because of its fragile nature, it seems unlikely that it can be used in traditional artists` paints. Yet, as the history of colour has shown us, innovation has always forged a new, more colourful path. So now you are introduced to black and you can create your colourful masterpiece on this magical and mysterious canvas, like everything in life.

The Black Book October 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ 107

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