If you’ve followed my work for any time, you’ll be aware of my love of colour. My love of the meanings colours hold to all of us.
Memories triggered by colours-glimmers-are as wonderful as memories we have of music from different eras of our lives, as scents that take us back to precious moments.
I still vividly recall the orange of a lamp from my childhood, The Osmonds on the stereo and the wafting smell of rock cakes baking; sweet, crunchy and steaming hot with molten-lava-jam pouring from the centre.
Do you recall the texture of chairs and sofas?
All of our senses play together.
As an artist who chooses colour for the emotional impact, I play my part in the warmth of a good memory, or the joy of a favourite colour.
Sometimes we have no clear recollection of a particular colour, we just like it. Our subconscious knows. Our emotions know. Our gut instincts react.
Some people HATE pink. Others feel safer surrounded by green.
Now I have new memories, those of Prague, of vibrant blue skies, verdigris domes, gold flourishes, pink, terracotta and soft lemon houses. I know they’ll all find their way into my work. They will forever be colours that warm my heart, because the memories are happy ones. They may remind you of summer, but they will always take me to crisp winter days.
While verdigris apparently represents warfare and strength, that doesn’t speak to me. To me the subtle, gentle and dream-washed tone evokes magical spires and winding streets, longevity and grace. A gentle reminder of artisans, talent and beauty of bygone days.
When I ask the question “what do colours mean to you?” I’m really asking, how do colours make you feel, and why? Where do colours take you?
I want the colours I weave in paintings to bring warm, embracing emotions. Joy, happiness and uplifting hits of dopamine are important.
Even if we don’t understand why we connect to colours, we know what we like.
