Seasonal Shifts: The Art of Changing Colors

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Abstract work in progress

Have you ever noticed that the colors you love seem to change throughout the year? I certainly have. As September approaches, I find myself getting excited about my favorite season—fall. I’ll be decorating for the season beginning September 1st, and while we don’t get the beautiful changing leaves here in South Florida, I enjoy creating my own version of autumn indoors. After months of hot, humid weather, those slightly cooler temperatures are something I look forward to, and I love bringing the feeling of fall into my home through decorations, artwork, and seasonal touches.

My relationship with color tends to follow the seasons, and it has been that way for as long as I can remember. In spring, I find myself gravitating toward pinks and greens—fresh, cheerful colors that seem to fit the feeling of new growth. Summer pulls me toward ocean blues and deep greens, which feels especially natural living in South Florida. When winter arrives, I tend to favor whites and cool blues, often adding pops of brighter colors that hint at what’s coming next. And then there’s fall, when my palette warms up with pinks, yellows, oranges, reds, and purples.

There’s something about those fall colors that always draws me in. I love the warmth and richness they bring, but I also enjoy the unexpected combinations that happen when I put colors together that I might not normally use at other times of the year. Pink alongside orange, yellow with purple, or red mixed with softer shades can create something completely different from my summer palette.

That seasonal shift is already making its way into my studio. The painting I’m currently working on is a good example. It began with pink and orange, and I’m really enjoying where those colors are taking me. There are layers of texture, handwritten words, subtle marks, and plenty of room for the painting to evolve. It isn’t finished yet—and honestly, I don’t know exactly where it will end up. That’s part of the fun of creating abstract art. Sometimes I start with a color combination I love and simply see where it takes me.

I think color has a wonderful way of connecting us to a particular time or place. A certain shade can remind us of summer vacations, spring flowers, a favorite sweater, or even a room in our childhood home. Sometimes we choose colors because of the memories they bring back, and other times we simply reach for a color because it feels right at that moment.

For me, the changing seasons seem to bring their own color story. I may not be surrounded by autumn leaves turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, but I can still experience that change through the colors I bring into my home and onto my canvases. In a way, my artwork becomes another expression of the seasons—even when the landscape outside my window stays mostly green.

Maybe that’s one of the reasons I enjoy fall so much. It gives me an excuse to surround myself with a whole new palette of colors and let them influence what I create.

What about you? Do your favorite colors change with the seasons? Maybe you reach for soft pastels in spring, bright colors in summer, warm earth tones in fall, or cool shades in winter. I’d love to know if your color choices change throughout the year, too.

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little creative time with me. I hope you have a colorful and wonderful day!

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Watercolor Abstracts: A Creative Journey

I hope everyone has a fun holiday weekend ahead! I know I’m ready to slow down a little and soak in some much-needed relaxation. Lately, I’ve been doing a bit of rethinking, and one thing has become clear—I need to spend more time in the studio. To ease myself in, I decided to play around with some new watercolor abstracts.

The first piece (photo one) is still a work in progress. I love the way the vivid colors flow and mingle together, though I made the center line a bit wider than I intended I still like it overall. That’s the fun of experimenting—it all becomes part of the process.

For the second piece, I decided to add a touch of glitter along the middle line. It’s subtle in the photo, but in person it gives the painting just the right amount of sparkle and magic.

On the third, I couldn’t resist trying shimmering gold. It paired beautifully with the warmer tones and instantly gave the piece a glowing, almost autumn-like feel. With cooler days right around the corner, I’m looking forward to exploring more warm, cozy color palettes that capture the spirit of fall.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing this creative moment with me—I hope the changing season brings you inspiration too. As we welcome September, I’d love to know: what colors or little rituals help you embrace the fall season?

Wishing you a relaxing and joyful Labor Day weekend!

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