Trying colour backgrounds

The weaving works very well on a white canvas but...I want more. More colour always. So I have tried two different things. First, the blue on purple. I've had these blue bits hanging around for weeks. Never sure about them because they are so pale = wishy washy in my world!

The other day I thought "right purple background is what they need". I used rice paper on the canvas then painted it purple then ...well what often happens with me I DID TOO MUCH. I don't think the splashes of iridescent work. I tried painting over them again and its settled them a little bit. I tweaked the picture a bit in Picasa so it looks brighter. Cheating I know!

I have also been trying red on red. Also not so great. Once again I DID TOO MUCH to the base. I dribbled interference on the red and ended up doing far too much and it looked chaotic and busy so I've painted two different reds over them and the varnished the red cos it looked so flat. Red is a difficult colour to photograph! I still think it needs something but not sure what. Open to suggestions.

Meanwhile I have set up an Etsy shop for the lamp shades. I have 7 waiting to be painted and am experimenting with something other than rice paper. Partly cos I can't find any sellers in Australia and have had to go back to my NZ supplier and get it shipped over, via a friend, from there. 

Thanks for dropping by and commenting. xxx Rosie