“With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.”
—Henri Matisse
Davinci’s Dahlia Pink #3 30 x 30 inches of bold brilliant color inspired by a garden in France right next to Leonardo Da Vinci’s last home.
I wonder if Matisse thought Van Gogh was a witch. The first time I saw a Van Gogh painting in person, I started weeping like a baby. I was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It was the show, Van Gogh in Saint-Rémy and Auvers. Maybe I saw his struggle through the brush strokes or the pain in the colors, but by the time I was standing in front of "Undergrowth With Two Figures," the floodgates of my tears opened and I was almost inconsolable. The colors felt so melancholy and the figures seemed to be so fragile and ethereal I couldn't contain my emotions. That is what art and color can do. It can move you to an emotional state. I realized right then and there how powerful art is.
Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, Undergrowth With Two Figures.
I’ve chosen to make art that will fill you with joy and light. Using bright and uplifting colors and subjects, most of the time, that’ll bring a smile to your face. I’ve brought some of my collectors to tears but they were of delight!
Lemonade Parade 10 x 10 Acrylic and Mica on 2.25 inch gallery wrapped canvas. The yellow brings the feeling of joy , happiness and energy and the red gives it a pop of passion.
I realize with great power I have great responsibility! I like to do my homework. I’ve assembled a list for you to use if you are considering buying a piece of art, painting a wall, or looking to add a little pizazz with color. It will tell you the emotion connected to each color so you can choose wisely. It’s science so you can trust it!
Red: power, passion, love, desire, strength, and danger
Pink: hope, peace, compassion, femininity, nurturing, and understanding
Orange: creativity, sexuality, joy, enthusiasm, determination, attraction, encouragement, and stimulation
Yellow: joy, intellect, energy, happiness, and food
Green: harmony, growth, relaxation, freshness, and fertility
Blue: trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, and truth
Purple: luxury, magic, royalty, ambition, wisdom, dignity, and independence
Black: elegance, formality, fear, death, and evil
White: purity, cleanliness, peacefulness, simplicity, and sterility
Here in the northeast, we are blessed with the beautiful color of the changing season. Every year I am surprised by the magnificent hues of the Fall foliage. You can see from the chart, that means lots of creativity, joy, happiness, enthusiasm, determination, attraction, stimulation, and food! So expect to see more vibrant paintings. And I'll be walking a little more to make up for the increase in food!
Stay safe, be well, and enjoy all the magical colors of the beautiful season.
Love,
Leslie