“People usually associate the colour pink with weakness and naiveté; but I associate this colour with the most beautiful parts of the day – dawn and dusk! And in my searching through mystical writings, I have found that pink is actually related to the utmost levels of the Tree of Life. I’ve also seen it in pictures of the sky surrounding the most magnificent Aurora Borealis! So pink is strong and wonderful. ” C. JoyBell C., American author, blogger, and inspirational figure whose influences include Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, C.S. Lewis, and Ernest Hemingway.
This post was first published in February, 2017 and revised in 2024. Pink is very trendy this year. I am seeing it in women’s clothing and we were ahead of this trend when we painted an antique piece of furniture pink. It’s no secret: pink is a favourite colour, but I have so many!
"Candy Floss" Mixed media in Strathmore Toned Tan Sketchbook.
When my son saw this portrait, he remarked that this woman looks like she has been through some s*^t in her life.
Funny how portraits turn out like that.
I thought I had painted a woman looking off into the distance, but since he made that comment, I see she is staring right back at me, daring me to touch her one more time. In fact, she is now telling me to bugger off.
Other portraits I have painted have had a similar effect. Best to stop before I mess things up too much.
Colours too have had different meanings and associations through time.
Pink, for example, until the 1950s, was considered a boy’s colour because it is a derivative of red which is a very strong colour whereas blue, was seen as more delicate, and was chosen as a girl’s colour. The reversal occurred in mid- 20th century when pink was assigned to girls for some unknown reason.
Ultimately, that is what I like about art: it speaks to people in different ways. Much like the colour pink.
(copyright free photo of rose petals by Sharon McCutcheon at unsplash)
Pink was once the signifier of the male and blue for females but these associations have reversed. Symbolism can be a very fickle thing.
Agree. I find it interesting to see how we have changed meanings of different common aspects in our lives through time. Have a great week Graham.
Love her and love the comments ????
Sometimes the text is easy to write, other times not. It helps when I have family comment on my art as it can be the inspiration in developing an idea. Thanks for commenting once again, Sally!