Why is it that different spaces bring out different emotions inside of us? When I arrive home, I feel a sigh of relief. Not just because I’m home, but because there is something I’ve created here that allows that feeling.

When we had our floors remodeled and there was dust and chaos, home wasn’t a place of grounding. The first year we lived here, while we loved this house, it wasn’t a home…yet. Something happened over time to make this place be the space we need to recharge, reconnect, and re-enter the world. People leave our home feeling more grounded, more themselves.

This isn’t by luck. It’s by design. The magic I use is simply color.

Design Emotions Through Color

There’s a lot to cover with color, especially when you want to design a full space so I’ll direct you to my color bible, Living With Color. What I will dive into with you is how artwork changes the feeling of a space, how it brings out emotions. The bigger the piece the more emphasis it will have on a room and your emotions. The same could be said though, on how many times a day you walk past it. A painting set in a high traffic area for you, will also have a greater effect on your emotions. Tie this altogether with wall color, fabrics, and other soul-filled objects and you no longer have a house, you’ll have a home. It’s that simple.

Emotions of Blue

Sky blue, ocean blue, or the blue gradients that memories live in. Blue calms us and opens up a space. Because it’s a cool color, blue recedes into space. Artworks that are heavy with blue will give the feeling of a sigh of relief, a remembrance of nature, the pause you’ve been craving.

My nostalgia collection (blue and white with a pop of yellow) can bring out more emotions of memories by being so heavily blue. This allows us to go into a calm state and remember. The small pop of yellow energizes it and almost makes it feel like the summer sky.

The Dillon Reservoir soft pastel painting emphasizes sky and water in this piece with a ton of breathing room and therefor ombre blue effects separated by clouds and land. But because there is so much open space, it gives the feeling of calm.

Featured: On The Other End, Kitchen Memories, Horse With No Name, Sailing Adventure,

Emotions of Pink

Pink adds life, energy, and freshness to a space. There is something youthful about pink. Maybe it’s because we think of little girls and their love for pink everything. But the new blooms in the spring are also pink, a newborn baby is pink, new love starts with pink cheeks and on and on. Pink takes us back to the beginning.

In Nature’s Chaos (can be hung horizontally or vertically) these pink blooms erupt all over the canvas. They are grounded with some green and brown and give breathing room with a touch of sky blue but otherwise they are energized with new life in a variety of shades of pink.

Muse in Motion is dripping in pink, literally, and Confidence, is backlit by pink. The energy in this color brings out the power inside of us, it is a color that empowers. Personally, my art studio is light pink balanced out with a lot of white to not influence my paintings, but when I walk into this space I feel ready to work, ready to create.

Featured: Nature’s Chaos, Muse in Motion, Confidence

Emotions of Purple

The color of royalty. Originally, purple pigments were so hard to obtain, it was saved for imagery of royalty or Christian Icons (purple robes). Because of this, we now see this color as one of power, prestige, elegance. Any painting that is heavily leaning purple invites us to remember our own royalty and to embrace a little more luxe in our lives.

Inner Forrest is still one of my all time favorite paintings. Filled with symbolism and meaning I love what it stands for. But the soft purple light in the background and reflecting off the snow it was truly makes this painting magical–dare I say, royal.

Featured from Top left to right: Inner Forest, Purple Mountains Majesty, Boundaries, Aphrodite.

Emotions of Green

Green is probably the easiest color to add to our homes because we are so often surrounded by it in the outside world. Add some houseplants to your space and you won’t imagine how much more lively your space feels.

Personally, I love the deep shades of green which bring a feeling of safety (like the painting, Safety, below). Paintings with green have some energy but they still offer the pause.

As humans we instinctually want more nature in our lives. There is a mass amount of science now showing how forest bathing and spending time in nature will help with anxiety and depression. Artwork of nature you can get those same benefits. Bathing in your nature themed art regularly (The Modern Magic Podcast, provided with every purchase, is a great way to do this!) will only increase those benefits.

Featured from top left to right: Persephone, Blossom + Branch, Take Me Home (Steamboat), Safety, Wisdom

Emotions of Orange

Like the fading sun, the nutrient dense soil, or the fall season where everything begins to rest, Orange grounds us. It’s a color that brings us back to nature. And while it can be filled with energy (like a glowing sun on the horizon) paired with muted or earth tones, it helps us feel stable.

The National Monuments in Utah (Entitled Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Til It’s Gone) is a great example of this feeling of groundedness. Our bodies know this land, our souls call out for the dirt, and so the orange brings us in.

Kingfisher uses orange like a sunrise that enhances energy. While the blue tones of the bird bring down some of the energy, it doesn’t have the same effect as the images in the blue section (with vast skies or waters).

Finally Fall farm and Uncertainty from the Uncaged Collection both bring out an almost melancholy feeling. It’s the end of something. It’s beautiful beyond belief but it also brings out the sadness we so often have tucked away. Sadness can be the most grounding feeling of all–for better or worse.

Featured: Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Till It’s Gone, Uncertainty, Kingfisher, Fall Farm.

Shop By Feeling with Modern Magic Fine Art

Whatever emotion you want to bring into your space, there is a way to do it with art. I take all the guess work out of it by allow you to shop by feeling with Modern Magic Fine Art Studio.

SHOP BY FEELING