EyesOn the Prize: EyesOn Design Named Top 20 Car Show by USA Today

By Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Coating Systems Color Marketing Manager

USA Today named EyesOn Design, “one of the 20 best car shows” in the United States.  And you can help determine its next accolade.  You have until July 18 to vote for the Readers’ Choice 10 Best.  You can show your support and vote for EyesOn Design today! 

Why should you vote for EyesOn Design, you ask?  Because every year Detroiters, automotive designers and car collectors admire specially-picked, invitation-only vehicles at the EyesOn Design automotive design exhibition.  This exciting event is for a great cause as it supports Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology’s efforts to raise funds and awareness for the visually impaired.  And if that is not enough, it is held at the famous Edsel & Eleanor Ford House located at Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.  Lake St. Clair and the House are a perfect backdrop for this event where the bright blue water and blue sky compliment the colorful vehicles. 

1955 Cadillac Eldorado

There was no shortage of blue rides at this year’s show, which should come as no surprise.  Blue has been the most popular automotive color in North America 19 times since Axalta’s inaugural Global Automotive Color Popularity Report in 1953.  The hue also made the top five favorite color 50 times.  The 2016 EyesOn Design exhibition showcased, perfectly, how blue has changed throughout the years on vehicles and highlighted the evolution of color trends.

1964 Chrysler 300K

1964 Cadillac Eldorado

1966 Shelby Mustang

1972 Ferrari 365 GTB

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House 

We, at Axalta, are proud to sponsor such a premier event that focuses on the detail and importance of automotive design and helps such a great cause.  Vote for EyesOn Design in the USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best today!

Photography by Stan Horvath

The Story behind the Brilliant Blue Moon

By Dan Benton, Axalta Coating Systems Color Marketing Manager

I always considered myself to be pretty observant, but I am surprised by what I notice sometimes, especially now that my profession has me entrenched in a world of rich color.  There are so many different tools that we use to view our brilliant paint colors…spectrophotometers, calibrated color inspection lights, our AccuAngle Color Protractor and good old-fashioned natural light—which can be stunning even in the evening when a path is lit by the light of the moon. 

I was going for a spin one evening with my wife and noticed how amazing the sky looked.  The moon sported a shade of Brilliant Blue reminiscent of Axalta’s North American Automotive Color of the Year 2016.  So, when my wife mentioned that I only take her out every “blue moon,” I recalled something that my grandmother used to say.  She was fond of that very term “once in a blue moon.” She used it whenever we asked if my grandpa ever washed the dishes.

Your childhood may have been like mine; often hearing phrases, but seldom questioning their meaning.  Now that I am an adult, and more inquisitive than ever, I decided to investigate the meaning behind that term and it’s more interesting and science-y than I thought.

First off, a blue moon is always a full moon.  Apparently, there are two different ways to figure out which full moon is a blue moon.  The original definition says a blue moon is the third full moon in an astronomical season with four full moons.  To geek out a bit, a normal year has four astronomical seasons just like our calendar year (spring, summer, fall, winter) each with three months and normally three full moons.  When one of the seasons has four full moons (not the normal three), the third full moon is called a blue moon.  Complicated, right?  

Another definition of blue moon is a twinge different.  Some months have two full moons.  Using this definition, the blue moon is the second of the two full moons in a month of the common calendar year. Either way you slice it, a blue moon appears about once every two or three years, give or take.

But, you may ask, what’s the deal with a moon that actually looks blue?  The moon, full or not, can have a Brilliant Blue appearance when the atmosphere is filled with dust or smoke particles of a certain size…just a little wider than 0.7 micron.  These particles scatter the red light making the moon appear blue in color.  The condition is most common after a dust storm, forest fire or a volcanic eruption.

Keep an eye on your calendars, because as you now know, a blue moon does occur somewhat regularly.  The last blue moon (following the third full moon in a season formula) was May 21, 2016.  The next one will appear on May 18, 2019.

I picked up a couple of other quick facts in my blue moon research:
• The moon is inspirational in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare.
• The song “Blue Moon” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934.  The most popular version was recorded by The Marcels in 1961, an American doo-wop group from Pittsburgh.  Click here to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoi3TH59ZEs
• Neil Armstrong was the first man to land on the moon in 1969. 
• Blue Moon Investigations was the name of the detective agency in the TV series “Moonlighting” that starred a young Bruce Willis.
• The theme song for the television show, “The Sopranos” by Alabama 3 references “a blue Moon in your eyes.”

Well, that’s enough work for today.  I think I will relax now… someone just told me about the Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Company’s Blue Moon flavor.  And cut.

A Snapshot of Me and Blue

By John Magor, Owner of John Magor Photography

Curiously, in many different languages blue was one of the last colors defined and given a name.  Universally, black and white came first, then red, and though the order may vary slightly after that, blue is usually the last.  Ancient Greeks did not have specific words for the color blue; in Homer’s Odyssey, he described the sea as “wine-dark”.  Even into the late 19th century, cultures across the globe were content to use “black” to describe green, violet, and blue.  However, as languages developed, so did the fascination with the color blue, in all its hues. 

As a photographer, I am captivated by the myriad of blue shades in the sky and water and am fortunate to have captured their beauty, both at home and overseas.

One of my favorite places to shoot is the Caribbean. It has an unparalleled variety of blues.  It has the rich blue-greens of the Caribbean Sea that serve as a backdrop to white sand beaches.  It has the deep royal blues of the night sky that act as a canvas for a million twinkling stars.  And it also has the bright blues that reveal themselves when the clouds dissipate and the sun warms up Esperanza Bay. 

You do not have to take a plane to see blue in all of its glory.  Here at home, one of my favorite pastimes is to ride my motorcycle out into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.  With my camera gear stowed in my pack, I am ready to pull to the side of the road at a moment’s notice when I see the possible makings of a photograph.  Two of the key ingredients are a crisp blue sky and interesting cloud formations.

The sense of calm, the peacefulness of a rich blue sky over bucolic scenery wipes away the stresses of our hustle-bustle 21st century existence, and connects me to the natural world in a way that rejuvenates my spirit.  The azure blue sky and its reflection in the waters of the Rappahannock River as it gently moves past Fredericksburg, Virginia do the same.

Blue is everywhere in the natural world, as it also is in automobile colors like Axalta’s Automotive Color of the Year 2016 – Brilliant Blue, and plays a big role in my photography.  It is hard to imagine the inability to call something blue.  Blue is not black, nor violet, nor green.  It is its own hue and adds an irreplaceable splendor to the world around us.

About John Magor

John Magor is an architectural and commercial photographer with nearly twenty years of experience.  After being involved in the construction and decorating industry for many years, he developed a passion for photography, specifically architectural and interior design photography.  John’s architectural work has been featured in local, regional and national publications, and can be seen on numerous clients’ websites from interior designer sites, to architectural, custom remodeling firms, builders, manufacturers, and more.

John also loves to photograph nature, whether it involves a two-week stint in a faraway place, or a two-hour trip into the Virginia countryside.

John resides in Stafford, Virginia, just south of Washington, D.C.  He can be reached at his website www.johnmagor.com, and www.Facebook.com/JohnMagorPhotography.

  

Madness in Brilliant Blue

By Matthew Boland – Axalta Coating Systems Product Director

Everyone’s favorite college basketball tournament is finally upon us, and the color experts at Axalta could not help but notice all the teams and fans dressed in blue. Maybe they caught our eye because Axalta’s North American Automotive Color of the Year 2016 is Brilliant Blue. Nevertheless, here is a quick look at some of the notable blue teams that hope to take home the title:

·        University of Michigan – A hometown favorite here in Axalta’s Detroit-area facility, it is not uncommon to hear some of our scientists utter “Let’s Go Blue!” around this time of year.

·        Duke University – The “Blue Devils” are always tough to beat with the legendary Coach K at the helm and are a tournament favorite.

·        University of North Carolina – The Tar Heels are a number one seed, and they stand out in their “Carolina Blue” uniforms.

·        University of Kentucky – The team from the blue-grass state is often referred to as “Big Blue” and their fans the Big Blue Nation.

·        Middle Tennessee State University – The Blue Raiders won the Conference-USA tournament and face a tough Michigan State team early.

Blue is obviously a winning color, and there will be a sea of Brilliant Blue players and fans throughout this tournament. Good luck to all the student athletes, and especially one of Axalta’s favorites- The University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors!

Autorama in Detroit, Michigan – a Cavalcade of Color

By Dan Benton, Axalta Color Marketing Manager

Hot, vibrant, and exciting colors brightened up wintry Detroit skies at the 2016 Autorama custom car show in Cobo Hall on February 26-28.

For 64 years, the Autorama has brought classic and custom car builders together from around the world to show off their latest projects and for a chance to win the prestigious Ridler Award; an accolade given to the vehicle that best demonstrates creativity, quality and engineering.  This year was no different with one entry coming all the way from the land down under, Australia. Chris and Colleen Bitmead brought their beautiful blue 1976 Ford Falcon to display, and made the “Great 8” – the eight finalists for the Ridler Award.

The Falcon did not bring home the top prize, but it dazzled in a shade of blue similar to Axalta’s North American Automotive Color of the Year 2016- Brilliant Blue and impressed not only the judges, but also many who stopped to admire the car.

With more than 800 vehicles vying for the Ridler Award – the competition is fierce and the investment is significant.  The value of these vehicles range from $200,000 to over $2 million.  Many take several years to build.  Color choice and the paint job on such a meticulously cared for project must be flawless.  Deep saturation and intense chroma are highly sought after characteristics by custom car builders to make their projects stand out.  Builders can use Axalta’s high chroma tints and color selectors to pick out the perfect color for their projects.  Our coating systems, with multi-layers of transparent tints, intensify and enrich color.  Brilliant Blue is designed for those who love bold color.  

All the colors and chromas at an event like Autorama could overwhelm the senses.  The sheer volume of color is a feast for the eyes, and a welcomed distraction from the cold and snow outside.

Colors like Axalta’s North American Automotive Color of the Year 2016- Brilliant Blue, remind us all that the warmth and renewal of spring is right around the corner.

Thinking Outside of the Can

By Mike “Splash” Burton, Winner of Axalta’s 2015 Paint Outside the Can Competition

The journey started last spring while sitting around my studio, looking for somewhere or something to pour my energy into. I was caught up on my personal projects and I really needed some new inspiration, something that would challenge my mind and take my art skills to a new level. I discovered Axalta was inviting automotive painters from across the United States and Canada to submit their most creative work on an empty, standard, one-gallon paint can. They called the competition "Paint Outside the Can."  I knew right then this was the project I had been looking for.

Mike “Splash” Burton is the winner of Axalta’s 2015 Paint Outside the Can Contest

This was a large contest that would draw some of the best custom painters from all over North America with industry celebrity judges including lowrider-paint specialist Danny "Danny D" Galvez, pinstripe artist Paul Quinn, Mobsteel painter Ron Coan and Pinstripe artist Danny Taylor. I knew my entry had to stand out, but what would it be? After watching my weekly dose of Animal Planet, the ideas started to flow. I figured out exactly what I wanted to create: an industrial tropical aquarium that incorporated different shades of brilliant and vibrant blues.  

Judge and pinstripe artist Paul Quinn helped to crown the winning entry

Although there are many different hues of blue, all of them are appealing and refreshing to me. As the predominant color of the sky, as well as lakes, and oceans, they emit a calming sensation. What’s more enjoyable than sitting in a deck chair staring out into the Atlantic Ocean, or lying on the grass looking up at the sky on a clear sunny day? Blue is one of the most relaxing colors in the spectrum. 

I wanted to bring that feeling to my “aquarium” and with seemingly endless variations of blue, I chose to use Axalta's CFX Basecoat Candy Colors, "Skyrocket and Blue Moon" on my project because of their vibrant color, depth and dimension. These blues really pop and are perfect for creating a deep ocean scene.

Mike “Splash” Burton tried to capture the vibrant color, depth, and dimension of the ocean

No aquarium would be complete without a bubbling blue filter, but I had no experience creating bubbles before. I went through “practice rounds” working with clay molds to craft a sculpture of bubbles and water that would spill out of the can. After I was happy with my final mock-up, I set to work on a custom "Laser Blue" candy waterfall using clear resin. I thought, “Why should I stop there?” So I also concealed blue LED lighting into the resin to give it that wow-factor.

After a few months and nearly 70 hours of labor later "Pipeline Paradise" was completed and ready to be shown. The judges must have loved the blues just as much as I did because they picked my can as the competition’s winner!

For a closer look of my winning entry, click here.

About Mike “Splash” Burton

Mike "Splash" Burton has been airbrushing, pinstriping, and gold leafing in the automotive industry since 2008 and is the owner and operator of Color Splash Creations, a custom paint studio located in Newark, Delaware. Numerous industry magazines have featured his work. Mike has also ventured into the prosthetics industry where he provides patients with high-end artwork that helps to boost self-esteem, pride, and courage.  Mike is the winner of Axalta’s “Paint Outside the Can” contest.

Axalta’s North American Automotive Color of the Year 2016 is a Sight for All Eyes

Brilliant Blue Makes a Splash at the International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan

By Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Color Marketing Manager

Axalta’s  North American Automotive Color of the Year 2016 – Brilliant Blue is a beautiful shade of blue with sparkling effects.  In the spirit of a new dawn, a new day and a New Year, optimism and fresh thoughts fill our minds as this color evokes positive energy and vibrancy.

Axalta’s North American Automotive Color of the Year 2016 Brilliant Blue

Brilliant Blue is a mid-shade blue that has both depth and chroma with slight highlights of turquoise.  We were inspired by the beauty and ambiance of seaside settings.  The sounds and deep blue shades of ocean waves drove our color design.  This fresh shade is bold enough for small to intermediate size cars as well as large trucks.

Axalta Team at North American International Auto Show Preview Week.

North American International Auto Show attendees will be able to get acquainted with the color.  Brilliant Blue already shined at festivities like the EyesOn Design Awards program on January 12, 2016 when the Brilliant Blue video was revealed. 

Axalta Executive Steve Markevich helps kick off Axalta’s Color of the Year 2016 launch-Brilliant Blue at the North American International Auto Show Preview Week.

We hope you stay tuned to witness the Brilliant Blue journey.  As the only “automotive specific” color of the year, we are excited to announce Brilliant Blue to those who want to be on top of the trends.  Be bold. Be Brilliant.