How to apply gradient with two shapes

[AlexJ8]

Hey all! Sorry for the simple question, but how to gradiently merge the colors of the rectangle and the other shape, along its outline? Do I need to cut it or... Sorry again, but any help would be appreciated!

[Monika Gause]

Create a blend and just put it on top.

It's not quite clear how exactly you want this to look. please make a sketch and show the complete image.

[AlexJ8]

I'm making DNA artwork and I am not sure how to blend the base with the strand. I tried Effect > Stylize > Feather and played around with transparency but it didn't quite work.

[Monika Gause]

A sketch would have been better.

Two rectangles

Object > Blend > Make

A shape

Object > Clippping mask > Make

Instead of masking this could also be done with a plain gradient. But in case you need slightly more complex gradients, you would need a blend. That's why I proposed it

[Bill Silbert · Accepted solution]

Based on my scientist wife's explanation about what you might mean in regards to a DNA drawing I came up with the process below:

I recreated your image as live art. Then I used the Pathfinder Divide function to make the overlap into a separate shape. Then I created a gradient with the two colors that you used (sampling them with the eyedropper). Then I applied the gradient to the overlap area and using the gradient tool I finessed the gradient as shown. If this is what you're looking for great. If not please provide a sketch as to what you need.

[AlexJ8]

Thank you all for the solutions. Sorry for not making it very clear. Thanks again!