On our early morning walk through the evergreen forest my Beloved and I were both struck by the color change in the deciduous tree leaves. In all other seasons they sink into the background of the many shades of green typified by various species of firs, hemlock and cedar, but in autumn they become focal points.
As our feet crunched over the warm red, russet red, rust, golden and yellow leaves I remarked on what strong role color plays in our lives. My favorite colors are autumnal shades. They are the glorious colors of fall that I wear and surround myself with all year round. I also remarked that colors evoke emotional responses that we as bloggers ought to be aware of when we choose themes and customize them.
Warm colors tend to have an exciting effect. However when these colors are used alone they can over-stimulate, generating emotions of irritation and anger. When choosing warm tones, adding colors from another group will help to balance this.
Blog Colors on Different Browsers and Monitors
Changing Your Blog? Start With the Colors
Blog Design: Which colors do you use and why
Color has no material existence
I am a survivor of head injury left visually challenged from it so I’m more aware of how the brain operates than most folks are. I am an artist and so is my Beloved so we are aware that color does not have a material existence. This summer we discovered our friends children did not know that the human eye cannot actually “see” colors at all. As we did our colorful art projects together I explained what follows to them.
Newton’s experiments revealed that what we relate to as color has no material existence. His research and ongoing research today reveals and confirms our eyes can’t actually see light but we can see what light illuminates. We can and do experience the reflected vibration of light as color. That perception of the vibration of light as color in turn colors our emotions, and triggers associations.
Colors – experiences, interpretations, and associations
What our human eyes see and report to our brains for interpretation is our experiences with vibrations of refracted light and reflected light. The brain then supplies the color associations we have made based on past experiences of the vibrations of reflected and refracted ight. The brain simultaneously supplies our emotional responses and the symbolism we have attached to similar former experiences, as well as the associations, emotional responses, and symbolism we are attaching to our current experience of the vibrations of refracted and reflected light.
Colors and contrast
When it comes to colors do recognize that my warm color preferences could not be made if there were no neutral color shades or cool color shades — just as there could be no perception of light if there was no darkness that presented a contrast to it.
Canadian Thanksgiving
Pssst! In case you aren’t aware of it the Canadian Thanksgiving date on the second Monday in October differs from the American Thanksgiving date for two reasons. Firstly, in Canada Thanksgiving is not derived from the arrival of the Pilgrims down south. Secondly, Canada is further north than the American States are situated and the advent of fall is earlier.
Canadian Thanksgiving Day is linked to two traditions. The First Nations people held ceremonies and festivals to celebrate the completion and bounty of the harvest long before European explorers and settlers arrived in what is now North America. The European tradition of harvest festivals came along with the first settlers. In fact, explorer Martin Frobisher celebrated Thanksgiving in 1578 after he had survived the long journey in his quest to find a northern passage from Europe to Asia. Yes, the first Thanksgiving in Canada was celebrated 43 years before the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts and set foot on the North American continent.
In this season giving thanks for the abundant harvest I’m thankful that I can appreciate colors and the memories they evoke — memories of many joyful Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations. I’m also grateful for the “color” that each and every one of my blog commenters contributes to my blog posts.
Sandra Pawula
October 10, 2011
What a fascinating view of colors! It leaves my brain a bit boggled, but certainly gives a different take on experience to consider.
timethief
October 10, 2011
Hi Sandra,
It’s so interesting that our eyes can’t actually see light but we can see what light illuminates. Settings aside the more technical spects of sight there are many color associations and much color symbology I intend to blog on. Art therapy has revived my memory of a subject that I once was very keen on and rekindled some passion. Color associations are not necessarily cross cultural. In fact, there are some very interesting differences that I will write about when I have the opportunity to do so.
Today I gave thanks for you and my other blogging friends. It’s so good to know that I’m not just talking to myself here. lol :D
Sara
October 10, 2011
I love the fall colors also. Whether it’s the color I choose to decorate with or the color of a shirt I want to wear. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you up north!
P.S. None of the three links work though.
timethief
October 10, 2011
Hi Sara,
Thank you so much for telling me the links were not working. I just changed themes from Chateau and those three links are to posts in my blogging tips blog and I have repaired them.
It’s good to meet you. I’ve just been cruising your blog and I like what I see. Photography and living a healthier lifestyle are interesting subjects. You are an engaging writer and talented amateur photographer so I subscribed. :)
Thanks so much for reading and commenting too.
Ann
October 10, 2011
What a colorful, fun blog post! I am aware of color and thought about changing my blog, but I have to say, the look of mine….suits me! I like the header picture (it’s my measuring spoon & cup drawer) and it’s very personalized. So…I hesitate to change it.
Although changing it for the holidays DOES give me something to think about! Somehow I’m not surprised you’re an artist….it shows in your writing – which is lovely.
timethief
October 10, 2011
Hello Ann,
I have been unable to work in the studio since the head injury but I still am drawn to art. I began drawing in frost on glass windows when I was 4 years old and haven’t stopped since. :) Luckily my Beloved is in good health and able to support us. I add some contracted research and writing jobs to the income mix.
Your bog color theme is very neutral and your header image doesn’t compete with the images of the food in your recipes. You may want to add a seasonal touch of color to the header or sidebar. I’ll leave that to you and we can discuss it in my other blog if you care to. ;)
Today I’m giving thanks I have readers who comment like you do. I toasted all of you at our turkey dinner tonight with a glass of white wine. :)
Jean
October 10, 2011
I had no idea you sustained a head injury.(How did it happen?)
The autumn in certain parts of the world does revive our need for unaffected, showstopping brilliance of Nature. Nature is so lucky to flaunt her colours without any criticism whatsoever for being the centre of attention.
My first fall in Alberta and it’s more brilliant yellow as you know. The best autumn colours, are in southern Ontario…where I first lived for first few decades. As you might know and others here, there are news and articles that outline the best travel routes to see the glorious colours splashed across the forested hills.
When I dream of Nature in that part of Canada, it’s autumn that dominates. When I moved from Ontario to British Columbia it was in October awhile ago….it was saying good-bye with a colourful flourish from Central/Eastern Canada.
timethief
October 10, 2011
Hi Jean,
Yes, I did and it was not a minor one. I have sustained several head injuries in my life. The last one just 3 years ago was a “moderate” concussion due to a fall. I fell off a deck head first and my head impacted a large stoneware planter. I had other injuries from that fall too but ’nuff said on that. It could have had much worse consequences than it had.
Alberta is a sunshine province year round and I clearly recall autumn there. I do agree that there ar far more deciduous trees out east so their color display is much more impressive than ours. There’s magic in a huge color display, and perhaps even more, when the background is coniferous forest and deciduous trees are few in number.
I want to thank your for being my friend. I’m so pleased I met you and that we connect on a such close level. I hope you had a very special Thanksgiving Day.
P.S. Your second paragraph above is a delightful one. All hail Autumn!
Lilith
October 10, 2011
I found this information about colours really interesting..thank you.
timethief
October 11, 2011
Hi Lilith,
It’s good to meet you and I’m pleased to hear you liked my post.
sprigblossoms
October 11, 2011
Loving your blog design and colors :) Its true, autumn is all about the rich colors of nature….its the season for vibrant displays before winter comes in. Wishes on a terrific Thanksgiving day!
timethief
October 14, 2011
I have been changing themes almost as often as I change clothes lately seeking “the right one” for my blog. I think this one which was just releaed yesterday may be a keeper but we shall see.
Thanks so much for your Thanksgiving wishes. We had a quiet little feast for two and before we ate we took a long walk through the forest. The colors were glorious. We usually walk in the early morning hours so an afternoon walk featured listening to different birds and seeing different animals in the underbrush. The air was fresh and we came upon a Pileated Woodpecker family feasting on bugs in a rotten old tree. It amazed us that they can hammer away like that without (presumably) experiencing migraine headaches.
Be well and happy too.
Joanna
October 12, 2011
Our fall colours are more muted than yours overall, but I can still experience the splendour of the maples turning to red and gold if I go to the Arboretum at Westonbirt (about half an hour’s drive away) which has a fine collection of maple trees. Even so I think the light / leaf colour relationship is different here. Once upon a time I was in New York State and was taken out to see the fall leaves, I remember the colours and the light as being far more intense than anything I had experienced here; to use an overworked word, it really was ‘awesome’ and knowing the science behind it did not diminish the experience in any way. It was glorious!
timethief
October 14, 2011
The aboretum sounds like a lovely and restful plavce to visit so I hope you get a chance to visit more than once during the fall. Broadleaf maples and sugar maples are indigenous here. In addition many people have transplanted species of Japanese maples so the color display is an outstanding one that spans the entire range of golden, ronage, red and rust warm colors. I love these colors and this time of the year too. :)
Team Oyeniyi
October 12, 2011
We are in the middle of spring now, so your post evokes a time 6 months past – before my family came home. While I love autumn, I am glad our most recent is past. I look forward to the next one. I guess my association with autumn colours at the moment is still a little raw, but autumn and I should repair our relationship in March 2012!
timethief
October 14, 2011
Hi Robyn,
It’s such a contrast to hear you are enjoying spring now and it makes me jealous as I would prefer to skip winter. However, without all that rain all the plant life I love so much would die, and our wells would go dry, so I’ll have to change my attitude soon. :) This first year of new family like together will be full of memorable seasonal events as the kids experience seasonal weather changes they aren’t accustomed to in a strange country. Be sure to take lots of photos of the kids response to spring in Australia.
nothingprofound
October 12, 2011
We’ve had a splendid fall here so far, plenty of sunshine and warm weather, and the trees are just beginning to peak. To me, there is nothing more spellbinding then to view a bright.blue sky through the branches of a tree aflame with bright yellow leaves. Somehow the combination of those two colors creates a feeling in me of total peace and ecstasy. I hope you and your Beloved are well and that the remaining days of Autumn bring much joy and beauty to your eyes.
timethief
October 14, 2011
Hi Marty,
We are well and also enjoying autumn. The colors around us are a reminder that winter is on the way. We have put up lost of food and have almost completed all the yard work. We lost a lot of time when it came to being productive and making an income during August. Being with our friends was well worth it but our September and October have been busy months as we are hustling now to make up for lost income. My contracted work is a very large project this time and it’s coming along well but there’s so much more to do in order to make the deadlines. The weather is still good but morning feature dew and or fog so it won’t be long before there’s frost on the pumpkins. It’s good to hear from you and I will be visiting your blog soon.
munchow
October 14, 2011
What a great posting about autumn and its colours. Like you I love this time and its colours. And, yes, sometimes we tend to over-use these wonderful colours. Thanks for the information about seeing, I am always look for a better understanding of how our perception works.
timethief
October 14, 2011
Hello there,
It’s good to meet you. I visited your blog and became a follower as your photos and words are superb. Thanks so much for commenting on my post. Positive feedback is always a joy to receive. :)
Yun Yi
October 14, 2011
TT,
Thanks for stopping by! I agree, walking in the nature is not just for exercise, it benefits us in every aspect of our life.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on color. Autumn is my favorite, so is the warm color tone. I used to live in upstate NY, where I saw better colors than here in NC. I am sure Canada has the best autumn foliage.
Hope you doing well on your health. Be careful with walking if your joints hurt too much. I also have joints problems and recently started to take Calcium (with Citrate in liquid form), it helps a lot!
Take good care!
timethief
October 14, 2011
Hello Yun Yi,
I’m so glad you read my comment. I have been feeling badly about not reading more blogs and commenting more frequently. We are self-employed and this time of the year it’s critical for us to hunker down and produce in order to make a living.
I also take calcium with magnesium and vitamin D and have been doing so for several years. Glucosamine and chondroitin not work for me when I tried it several years ago though others find it does help them.
The eastern provinces in Canada have far more specatcular fall color than the western provinces do. I’m as far west as one can be on a small island off of the BC coastline. Here firs, hemlocks, and cedars are the primary tree species. The deciduous tress are far fewer in number and are so delightful at this time of the year.
Best wishes to you in all you do,
TiTi
Laura Coyne
October 14, 2011
Hello!
I am new to your blog and am so glad I subscribed, although I haven’t had much of a chance to read it. I was diagnosed with candida albicans recently, but have had symptoms of fibromyalgia for years as well as SAD. (no diagnosis for these 2) Is there a relationship between all these? Thank you for your writing. I don’t feel so alone in my challenges anymore.
Laura Coyne
timethief
October 16, 2011
Welcome aboard and best wishes when it comes to dealing with your health issue.