Colour Trends of the Year - 2016 | What colours are you drawn to? And why?

Well…a New Year is underway. Yippee! A time for new resolutions, new goals, new ideas, everything NEW! What new things are you excited about for 2016? What am I most excited for? NEW COLOUR! I’m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to the new colour trends for the year. Seeing all the new tones, shades and colour combo’s is something I wait for season after season.

Because of my passion and background in the arts and having worked in the interior design/decorating field, I have always paid attention to the colours of the season for influences in my work… all of which Pantone sets the forecast for worldwide.  And the new 2016 Colour Trends Top Ten...(drum roll please)

For those of you who don’t know…Pantone Incorporated, is the world-renowned authority on colour and provider of colour systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of colour across a variety of industries. The PANTONE® name is known worldwide as the standard language for colour communication from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer.

Many industries, such as graphic arts, the fashion industry & textiles, home & interior design, architecture, paint & consumer markets…. All look to PANTONE for the current “colour forecast” for each season. Basically anything new that comes out in the stores and marketing is most likely influenced by this colour trend.

Pantone comes out with an overall colour palette each year, as well as, the colour of the year…and to my surprise, the first time ever, Pantone combined two colours to make up the colour for 2016:

ROSE QUARTZ & SERENITY BLUE

“A softer take on colour for 2016: For the first time, the blending of two shades – Rose Quartz and Serenity are chosen as the PANTONE Colour of the Year.

As consumers seek mindfulness and well being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colours that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

A symbolic colour selection; a colour snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude.

Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure. Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.”

What an amazing blend of two of my favourite colours!  

When God created the world and everything in it, He must have had fun with creating all the colours. An infinite display of variation, tones and range that make up what we see today. He is always speaking and inspiring us through the palette of His creation. I’ve always been fascinated with colours and how they create moods, feelings and emotions. It’s amazing how everyone can be effected differently by the same colours, all because we are made so unique. What colours are you drawn to? And why?  

I am a blue person. I love every shade of blue. Blues and whites are my favorite. They create a sense of calmness and tranquility. I feel like I can breath in spaces with blues.  A breathe of fresh air. I am really excited to play with “serenity” in my colour palette this year. It reminds me of the sky. I am very fortunate to have an amazing view of the Alberta mountain scape and an expansive sky out my windows. I take time everyday to stare at the beauty of the sky and talk to God. This is where I find peace and get most of my inspiration. This is the morning view I frequently see: (taken a week ago)

Again yesterday morning, after I read the new colour report, I took my son to school and this is what we saw:

God painted the sky in the Pantone colours of the year for me to see in person. How awesome! I pulled the car over so we could take a moment to stare, appreciate the colours and just be. (Bryn was late for school, oops!)  It was beautiful. I felt the Holy Spirit refreshing me for a New Year of inspiration and creativity. It’s going to be an awesome year!

Reflecting on the colours of the year, the beauty of them in the sky above, I feel the peace that covers over us from the Lord. The Pantone report mentions the two colours balancing a sense of peace and order.

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace,” (1 Corinthians 14:33) In a world that seems to be spiralling out of control more rapidly, God brings order and peace. Choosing to live in His presence, you will find peace and order for your soul. He is the refuge in times of weakness and peace in times of anxiety and turmoil.

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 59:16)

One of my latest paintings reflects these two colours beautifully, without my knowledge of the trends for 2016. (It’s kind of fun when that happens.) “Restored Life” is based on Ezekiel 37.

This year I am going to focus on paintings I’ve always dreamed of doing. Long over-due ideas that I pass by as simple and ordinary but are full of beauty and life. Sometimes the most ordinary things are what we need to focus on. I feel the Lord speaking to me about keeping it simple this year. Don’t over look the beauty of simplicity. Take the time to just be. And rest well with Him.

I am going to play and experiment with colour – you will most likely see some of these colours – as well as subject matter that speak life to me. I want to create art that is beautiful, refreshing, and encouraging. Art that makes you feel renewed and alive. Art that can “sing a new song” or give you a sense of peace, a breath of fresh air and renewed energy.   Stay tuned for sneak peaks of new works.

 Bless you all as we enter a New Year!  And have fun watching out for these colours when you're out and about...

Mindi