Oppositional Defiant Disorder is a real thing.  Johns Hopkins University defines it as “a pattern of defiant, uncooperative, hostile behavior —typically toward authority figures.” Experts say about 1 in 6 children and teens are struggling with ODD at any time.

Last week, I was tasked with creating a wearable art piece for the co-owner of one of sports’ most iconic franchises, the Boston Celtics. I had visions of exploding shamrocks splattered all over the sleeves, and showcasing the team’s official colors: Green, black, white, and gold.

Like many artists,  I’m fascinated by contrast. When creating a color palette, I always like to see what colors will POP against others. For the Celtics jacket, I mixed up a stunning shade of lavender to sit next to a kelly green stripe. I was genuinely excited about energy the two colors sparked.

Husband Josh walks in as I was painting the background (Pic #2) and barks (in his best John McEnroe) “You can’t be serious about using Laker purple on this piece! Do you even have a clue about the bitter rivalry between the two teams?”

Well, yes, I do have a clue, and it did cross my mind that I should stay away from opposing team colors. But he was unconvinced.  Based on years of defiant behavior, he knew I would carry into my art project a sharp stubbornness that rears its ugly head every time I’m told there are rules — some form of conformity to which I must adhere. Lord, just writing that right now gives me the willies.

When I began to argue that the color was actually lavender — not purple — he knew I was fighting one of those fights — the kind that are based on nonsense , but I will defend to the end. I even tried lightening up the lavender paint with more white, about which he said, “it still reads Laker purple.”

Grudgingly, I gave up. The formerly “purple” stripe is now shiny gold (Pic #1) which is lucky, considering that’s part of the official Celtics’ brand, and oh, by the way, looks way better than what I’d painted first.

Okay, defy this, bitches.