The Color of the Year is – You Guessed It – “Radiant Orchid”

---

What is your favorite color? Mine has most recently become black. I think that as an artist, the fact that black is the only color that actually has all of the colors in it makes sense to me. Perhaps, too, it is because it is just easy! Pretty much anything – and I mean anything – looks good with black! Red shoes, leopard print, you know.

Over the past few years, some really amazing colors have been named the color of the year. In 2012, Pantone announced that “Tango Tangerine” was the color of that year, with “Emerald” as the color of 2013. This year’s color I am pleased to announce is “Radiant Orchid” or to be specific “PANTONE 18-3224 TPX, a shade of purple with fuchsia and pink undertones.”

Why am I pleased you might be wondering? Well, all of my childhood I dreamed of painting my room purple. Daddy, of course, would not hear of it! Even my Aunt Lona thought it was a good idea. My Aunt Lona, who both my mother and I are named after, was a purple fanatic. She loved the color so very much that she actually wore it every day! I remember her and Granny working together on their sewing projects, with Aunt Lona cutting fabrics and my Granny sewing them together.

Those two were really something! Most of all, they were before their time. Aunt Lona and Granny were old school fashionistas before that word became part of our culture. Each season, they would draw out on brown paper their patterns and after carefully measuring themselves, and of course, my mom, they would get set up to make some really cool clothes. No matter what the fashion magazines said of their day, my Aunt Lona always chose purple, and she also, big deal back then, wore pants!  Scandalous!

Artistically speaking, I admit I do pay attention to the season’s colors and to their trends. Often I incorporate something into my paintings, photography or wardrobe. When in 2012 orange was the hot trend, Brian bought me a Mexican Opal to wear. When emerald was elevated to the “it” color of the season, I painted the ceiling in my kitchen a swirly blend of its deepest hues mixed with gold. This year will, of course, be no different!

I am already creating an entire series on canvas with a tribute to the gorgeous and youthful hue. Purple is my birthstone, and it’s also Granny’s. Nana even insisted on wearing it every Easter and to her grave! Most of all, it has always been my favorite color, and now that the art world sees all that is has to offer, I might just start wearing it again . . . both on my person and in my work! Be so inspired!

Take Care of YOU!

Alisa