You've probably spent more time online and on social media than you'd like to admit, if you're anything like the majority of people.
Totally understandable. After all, there are things happening all over the world - from history-making achievements to viral videos of animals doing cute things... and people. You know what else is out there though? Art.
Art impacts us whether through the process of making our own or by focusing on the images and works created by others. And the special thing is that, the way it impacts us is unique to each individual.
Seeing beautiful art can actually improve one’s moods and help people cope with stress with soothing calm color combinations. Or it can help someone who is emotionally disconnected, recognize the artist’s emotion (expressed in painting), within themselves. It can also be a catalyst to help someone suffering feel understood and relatable, for example with the observation of very dark colors in a piece of artwork.
In general, colors in our surroundings affect our psyche. This goes back to how color is perceived by the brain. While you may not be able to see it, color emits an energy that people feel when they look at it. For example, blue is often associated with feeling calm and peaceful, while red is associated with feelings of excitement and heat, or fury.
Well, there's no specific science that describes how art affects us on a neurological level. However, there is a lot of pretty solid research that shows that certain colors can subconsciously impact our mood. Some psychologists and neuroscientists have looked at the art and music we use to help us recover from stress and to relax.
They've found these common color themes:
Blue: Has a relaxing effect on the body and mind, with a calming influence.
Red: Impacts us by feeling of excitement and passion for life — or sense of wrath to spring us into action.
White: Has a spiritual connection to us, as well as being the color most commonly associated with purity. It's associated with purity of spirit or purity of intention.
Orange: Stimulates alertness and induces happiness. It's often used in advertising because it's what we consider to be "bright" instead of "dull.
Yellow: Is associated with happiness and optimism. This has to do with the effects of sunshine on the brain.
Green: Is associated with prosperity and growth, as well as energy and renewal. A lot of people use this color because it's also seen as "cheerful." People like green because it's what they associate with nature.
Blue-Violet: It's associated with emotional healing, emotional intelligence, spiritual enlightenment, spiritual renewal, and inspiration.
Purple: Is associated with power, glamour, mystery, magic, and transformation. This color has so many connotations to so many things that it's hard to pinpoint one thing in particular.
Brown: Has a calming influence, because it's associated with the earth and nature. It can be used to induce restfulness and relaxation by influencing blood flow to the brain. People also like this color because it's associated with stability and reliability.
There is no getting around the fact that color affects us profoundly, even if we are not aware of it. So, now that we know that color can affect us on a psychological level, let's talk more in-depth about the featured artist, who shows emotion through his color-driven art…
MARK ROTHKO.
