The Color Blue: It’s Calming Effect

Low Tide  close up detail of the painting.

Raise your hand if you like the color blue…

If we were in the same room, everyone’s hand would be raised.

Ok so maybe not everyone, but reports have shown that bluish hues are favored by most.

Studies as early as 1941, when scientists started asking about people about color preference, show that a majority picked blue, as reported by Abigail Cain.

"Their study, published in 2010, posits that a person's preference for a given color can be determined by averaging out how much that person likes all of the objects they associate with that color. Your inclination for orange, for example, depends on how you feel about pumpkins and traffic cones and Cheetos, among other things."

"It turns out, if you look at all of the things that are associated with blue, they're mostly positive," Schloss explains to Cain. "It's really hard to think of negative blue things." From the expanse of the sky to the depths of the ocean, the color blue encompasses a wide array of gratifying meanings and emotions.

Low Tide  36 x 36”, acrylic on canvas.

Just think of how gazing at an endless blue horizon can inspire a feeling of freedom.

Or have you noticed how blue’s cool and calming tones evoke a sense of serenity and introspection.

For me, the sight of blue feels like a mental reset button, bringing me peace and clarity.

This is why I use mostly cool, light blues in my home.

But apparently — it’s not just me.

Further research shows that the color blue can have a remarkable influence on our psychological well-being.

Stephen Westland, the chair of color science and technology at University of Leeds, explains that in using a gadget that floods a room with a specific color of light, they "found a small effect of colored light on heart rate and blood pressure: Red light does seem to raise heart rate, while blue light lowers it.”

It is clear that light, and color specifically, can have a profound affect on us.

And even the business world knows this.

High Tide  36 x 36”, acrylic on canvas.

The color blue is also associated with feelings of trust and reliability, which has led to its prominent use in corporate branding and professional settings, where it imparts competence and dependability.

Just take a look at your screen and you’ll see a lot of blue in Facebook, LinkedIn, Skype.

Blue also has ties to creativity and problem-solving.

Which is why a blue office or work environment can open us up to new ideas and innovative thinking. This can be attributed to the color's ability to stimulate our cognitive processes while maintaining a sense of calm and focus.

Using blue decor, accents, and artwork in our work and living spaces can invite tranquility and spark creativity.

Storm Chaser's Delight  40 x 30”, acrylic on canvas.

The calming effect of the color blue is at the forefront of The Atlantic Collection, a series of original paintings inspired by abstract artist, Christina Contaldi.

Through fluid color, abstract shapes and transparency, Christina depicts the emotional range of these waters; embodying both rising tides of vigor and strength, and gentle moments of welcoming peace. With a focus on the beaches of New Jersey, where the artist spent summers in her early years, these works are layered with whimsical childhood memories and mindful moments of reflection.  

View the full collection of original paintings online: The Atlantic Collection

Fine art prints are now available in both paper and canvas with framing options: Fine Art Prints