Color is my go-to mood booster, especially this time of year. I’ve been known to search Pinterest by color (put “Magenta” in the search engine and see what happens to your psyche when you are greeted with a wave of hot pink dresses, rooms, paintings, and more). Immediate rush of energy.
I did it this weekend by buying all yellow flowers. It’s like sunshine just took over my kitchen, and it makes me smile every time I sneak a peek.
It’s amazing how many artists across geography and time have played with color to amazing effect. Some of my recent favorites include: Mark Rothko, whose interplays of colored squares make me want to stare and stare; Gustav Klimt, whose use of gold and geometry are immediately recognizable; Vanessa German, whose contemporary sculptures and use of color speak their own language; Kofi Agorsor, who brings the colors of Ghanaian art into the contemporary art world.
I can’t possibly name the many artists who inspire me with their remarkable color work. Nothing is better than a new color combo that surprises, an emotion expressed perfectly in a particular shade, or a nuance in shading that introduces a whole new way of looking at something.
Color speaks to me in a way that words can’t. As we dig deep to keep fighting for what we believe is right, as we seek to ensure civil rights for all, as we try to connect with one another in new and different ways, a colorful palette is powerful. Colors themselves can make a statement when we don’t have the words to articulate the thought.
Do you love a particular artist’s palette? What color speaks to you? Can color motivate you when times are tough, energy is hard to come by, or calm is light years away?
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