LOL @ IK!
I think Rae's remarks resonate most closely with my conception of 'statement (as standalone item)' vs 'canvas'.
That said, while I usually don't have the time or energy to decorate the canvas (though it is enjoyable when I do, as Diana also said), I don't have the fierce confidence and skinny-minimal aesthetic to prop up a blank canvas on a beechwood easel, tease a few frayed threads out and call it 'art'.
So...
When it comes to food, I like plain yellow cake (no nuts, no fruit, no icing) best.
When it comes to rooms, I like the off-white walls and the white-on-white sheets and the unvarnished basketry and ecru matting, accessorized (ha!) with the odd bit of colourful cushion and single interesting dark teak chair and a plant in the corner.
When it comes to clothes, I like the top that does the talking and the boots that do the walking. Without any need for watches, necklaces, earrings, scarves, jackets, glasses, sunglasses, bags, wallets, hats, coats, belts---or even a hair 'style' any more complicated than a pulled-back ponytail---to complete the picture.
Which is to say... I probably belong on Team Colour-Me-Confused! :-/
What also struck me was what Suz was saying about 'quiet statement' pieces. I actually find it very difficult to 'finish' the outfit with accessorization or even styling tricks like layering, half-tucking, belting, or cuff-upturning. What is easier for me is to start with the one 'bold' or intricate piece---and then dial the rest back a bit. I find using 'canvas' to calm the 'colours' down easier than flinging colour at canvas. At least, this seems to be what I do when shopping---I buy 'statements', realize they're all talking too loud together, then start collecting quieter completers (the plain blue jeans, the plain brown leggings, the plain navy or grey T-shirt to tone down the 'loudness' of the statement, the plain black bag or ballet flats...). Though I'm also trying to learn to find 'softer-spoken' statements that play nicely together of late, I'm never going to be as confident with colour as MaryK or with pattern mixing as Natalie...
(And no, I'm not minimalist enough to wear what Angie's wearing today and look well turned out---I *do* end up looking like drab canvas, which is possibly to be attributed to my *not*-shining-through wallflower personality. I can't BE the statement like Audrey can; I need to construct a statement to put out into the world that is not ME, but is not in opposition to me either... okay, I think I'm giving myself a headache here too!)