Interesting stories of the origins of pigment abound. There has been a structure created around the use of color. Color wheels have been developed. We’ve learned which color combinations are eye-popping.

Research shows that each color has its own distinctive frequency and that our eyes are the receivers through which these frequency waves travel. Our brain then translates these frequencies into the colors we see. We know that red has the lowest frequency and violet the highest.

We know that the effects of color differ among different cultures. For instance, white is the color of death in Chinese culture, but purple represents death in Brazil. Yellow, though sacred to the Chinese, signifies sadness in Greece and jealousy in France.

An entire field has been developed surrounding the psychology of color in marketing. For instance, fast food restaurants are decorated with vivid reds and oranges, encouraging diners to eat quickly and leave. Bright primary colors are used for toys, books and children’s web sites because young children prefer them and respond more positively than to pastels or muted colors.

In North American mainstream culture, the following colors are associated with certain qualities or emotions:

Red – excitement, strength, sex, passion, speed, danger

Blue – (listed as the most popular color) trust, reliability, belonging, coolness

Yellow – warmth, sunshine, cheer, happiness

Orange – playfulness, warmth, vibrant

Green – nature, fresh, cool, growth, abundance

Purple – royal, spirituality, dignity

Pink – soft, sweet, nurture, security

White – pure, virginal, clean, youthful, mild

Black – sophistication, elegant, seductive, mystery

Gold – prestige, expensive

Silver – prestige, cold, scientific

I believe color can affect us even more deeply than our emotions. Oscar Wilde said, “Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” Kandinsky said, “Color is the keyboard. The eyes are the hammers. The soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, causing vibration in the soul.”

Color literally impacts our vibrational (energetic) body and has the ability to change it. Consider the impact music has on you. You may actually become joyful, melancholy, introspective, etc. when you listen to certain music. That impact is more than just emotional, it is a vibrational impact that influences your body as it energetically aligns to the music.

What is meant by a vibrational or energetic body? It is the acceptance that what we see and what we don’t see is made up of energy, each having its frequency. For those of you who are Trekies, the use of a transporter is based on reasonable assumptions that we are energetic and can be de-molecularized and re-molecularized (is there such a word?) as the person who stepped into the transporter to be beamed up. Of course, it raises the question – how do the right molecules end up in the right place? Or wouldn’t it be possible that Captain Kirk and Scotty could have come back as two completely different people. The answer is that each person has a frequency that differs ever so slightly.

Here’s another example of how our body reacts to the energy that surrounds us. A chiropractor friend explained that when using a treatment called Network and several people are getting adjusted at the same time, in the same room, with two or more experiencing the same problem, one person can be adjusted and the others with that ailment are affected by the adjustment. There’s a vibrational energy that’s set up, much like tuning forks. If you have several tuning forks of the same key and start one vibrating, others in close proximity join in.

By understanding the deeper impact color can have on an individual, you have an essential ingredient to consider in your work, particularly if you are a colorist. There is an entire field of alternative healthcare called Chromotherapy built upon the use of color for healing. As artists, we can utilize this research and incorporate the results into our work. Or we can explore the possibilities further, record our own observations and use those.

Humans are made up of various frequencies of electromagnetic energy relating to the colors of the rainbow, all variations thereof, and to light. Each of our energy centers (charkas), and each of our internal organs vibrate and harmonize with the specific frequencies of the many colors in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

On one end of the electromagnetic spectrum is energy being transformed into wavelengths shorter than visible light waves, creating ultraviolet energy waves, which can be used for killing germs, sun tanning and more. Infrared energy waves, or wavelengths longer than visible light, are on the other end of the spectrum. These are radio waves, heat rays, etc. Humans, and all that we see, are directly in the middle, a very small spectrum called visible radiant energy.

Because color frequency is a sound wave, it has the inherent ability to pass through our energetic field, whether we see the color or not. As the color passes through our energy field, it will have an impact on us. The following definitions based on research by Dr. Annette Patterson and her belief that color touches every area of our being, discusses the possible impact.

Red – Physically affects the lower portion of the body, and internal organs within the lower abdominal area including the sexual organs. Red ignites and stimulates. It is life-force energy. Good for circulation. It has the ability to ground us. Red triggers characteristics of ambition, change, anger, war, power, sex, alertness, liberation, and survival. It’s a primal color. The medical profession recognizes red for use in cancer treatment.

Orange – Physically affects the area around the naval and upper abdomen; ovaries, spleen, prostate, kidneys, bladder, and sacrum. Characteristics of orange are joy, happiness, warmth, creativity, pleasure, sensuality, sexuality, and generosity. Orange moves energy gently. It awakens one to wisdom. Eases cramping anywhere in the body, and can lift depression. Acts as a relaxant and is said to boost the immune system. Cleans and purifies the hormonal system.

Yellow – Physically affects the solar plexus, digestive system, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and adrenals. Yellow is great for mental activity, learning, intellect, concentration and focus. Yellow is cheerful, sunny, warm and cleansing. It helps with empowerment, self-esteem, and confidence. Eases fear and emotional instability.

Green – Physically affects the heart, lungs, breasts, shoulders, arms and hands. Green is sedative, cooling, calming and soothing. It balances the body on the whole. Good for eye problems, bronchitis, gout, diabetes, cysts, tumors bones, and is an anti-inflammatory, helping with painful joints, and allergies. Its characteristics are money and prosperity, birth, new beginnings, nature, health, healing, trust, precision work, feelings, harmony, integrity and truth.

Blue – Physically affects the throat, hypothalamus, thyroid, ears, jaw and neck. Blue is cooling, soothing and brings deep inner peace. Great help in communication to allow one to be clearly understood. Boosts creativity, can cool a fever, promote restful sleep, and ease the pain of arthritis. Good for general healing, overall. Characteristics are expression and creativity.

Indigo/purple/violet – Physically affects the pineal, eyes, and temples. It connects higher mind to all that is. Stimulates emotions, meditation, inspiration, intuition, inner emotional release and helps to open the inner doors. Indigo allows vision beyond your physical sight. Good for menopause, as a sedative and relaxant. Purple/amethyst works well to combat addictions.

White – Physically affects the pituitary, brain and head. White contains all colors, so it does everything on all levels; physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Characteristics are purity, truth, brilliance, radiance, innocence, and illumination. White resonates with every part of our being. It helps to merge God/Goddess/Universe/ Nature/Spirit.

Dr. Patterson goes on to say that there is a huge range of various hues and shades to each of these colors that have their own subtle vibrations and that each individual’s experience with color will be unique.

Whether or not these colors actually effect us in the manner described, we do know that color is energetic and therefore, must mingle with our energetic bodies. Just that very fact is exciting, making the possibilities endless for artists. Through the use of color, we’re able to communicate to the very essence of the viewer. At the same time we’re painting, we’re receiving the benefits of working with color.

One more thing that pertains to the concept that all things are energetic is the impact of your intention when you do your art. Intention is also vibrational. If you paint with the intention of enjoyment, your finished piece will reflect that joy and that intention will be imbued in the painting. When we were visiting in Thailand, where most of the people are Buddhists, our guide told us that they believe that every interaction changes the energetic field of all people. For instance, when you pass a stranger and you smile at them, you are forever changing their energy field as well as your own and that of the world.

Awareness of the impact of color and intention means that we can communicate feelings of joy, beauty, inspiration, spirituality, etc. Artists are a light in the world and that light shines through our work.