National Color Day is celebrated on October 22nd. with the purpose of enlightening us about our relationship with colors.  Imagine a world without color... no beautiful sunsets or sunrises, flower gardens without color, scenery without multiple colors.... just a gray and black and white world!  The origin of this celebration is unknown. However, we do know about the realization of our relationship to colors.  This special day has been around since the early 1900s.

In 1700, Sir Isaac Newton was experimenting with sunlight.  His curiosity led him to the assertion that a prism separates white light into colors.  This gave us the color wheel.  In the early 1800s, artist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe explored the psychological aspects of colors and laid the foundation for the color theory.  In the late 1800s, two men explored different aspects of color.  The French photographer   Jules Duboscq invented the colorimeter to measure the wavelengths absorbed by a particle, and the American painter Alfred Munsell invented the photometer to measure luminance, the color value of an object. 

We all see colors differently.  Rods and cones, the two types of cells inside the human eye, determine what color we see.  Wavelengths of a color matter as much as our own absorption of it because 90% of the color we interpret is based on our memory.

Blue is the world's most popular color, with 40% of people picking it as their favorite.  It is considered the warmest color.  Red is the first color an infant can see.  The toreador's red cape does not anger bulls as they can't recognize the color.  It's the movement of the muleta that angers them.  The color pink has a calming effect and palliative qualities thereby relieving anxiety and stress.  Yellow is the most unpopular color and has been known to cause nausea whereas green can calm your mind. 

We often use colors to our benefit, but we seldom talk about the power and influence that colors have on our mood, state of mind, or attention span.  Let's see what colors can mean to us. 

• RED - the color of passion and energy.  It is used to warn and signal caution and danger.
• ORANGE - the color of enthusiasm and emotion.  It is a youthful and energetic color.
• YELLOW - the color of happiness and optimism.  It inspires thought and curiosity and boosts enthusiasm and confidence. 
• GREEN - the color of harmony and health.  It revitalizes, balances, relaxes, and encourages. 
• TURQUISE - the color of calmness and clarity.  It stabilizes emotions and increases empathy and compassion. 
• BLUE - the color of trust and loyalty.  It has a calming and relaxing effect on our psyche that gives us peace. 
• PURPLE-the color of spirituality and imagination.  It is often associated with royalty and luxury. 
• PINK-the color of love and compassion.  It is also a feminine and intuitive color that is bursting with pure romance. 
• BROWN - the color of stability and reliability.  It helps us stay grounded and inspires us to appreciate the simple things in life. 
• BLACK - the color of power and sophistication.  It is an incredibly strong and intimidating color that exudes authority and makes us feel secure and protected.  
• GRAY - the color of compromise and control.  It is neutral, conservative, and unemotional. 
• WHITE - the color of purity and innocence.  It is a true balance of all colors and is associated with cleanliness, simplicity, and perfection. 

Color brightens our world, creates emotion, and is a form of self-expression. So, celebrate this special day by dressing up in your favorite colors and host a color day party with decorations of bright balloons and streamers. 

We would like to share with you some of our colorful images. 

PHOTOGRAPHS

(TOP) Ribbons was captured in Jacksonville, Florida.

(MIDDLE)  Endless Color was captured in the Flower Fields of Carlsbad Ranch in Carlsbad, California.  The flowers are Giant Ranunculus.

(BOTTOM)  Gulal are colored powders used for some Hindi rituals, in particular for the Holi festival or Dol Purnima.  During Holi, which celebrates love and equality, people throw these powder solutions at each other while singing and dancing.  This was taken in India.

These images are available in tabletop to wall size, triple matted, and with or without a frame.  The matted versions are yours at a 10% discount and the framed matted versions in sizes 11x14 and larger can be yours at a 15% discount.

Visit our website, www.throughthelensoflee-margaret.com for available sizes and prices.

Stop by and see us on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The gallery is open for arranged Saturday appointments.  Call us at 904-387-8710 to schedule your special visit.  Come see us and order now.

"Color!  What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams."

-- Paul Gauguin