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The Colors That Shape My Soul: Why Sunsets and Autumn Inspire Me

Updated: Dec 1

BEHIND THE CANVAS | WITH PORSCHIA DANIELLE


treetops of an autumn forest on a Maryland afternoon
Colorful treetops of an autumn forest on a Maryland afternoon

The trees are alive with color - yellowy greens, warm ochres, and fiery red-oranges that seem to hum in the bright afternoon light. Fallen leaves scatter and twirl on the ground in the cool breeze, making a soft crunch with every step. The air is filled with the familiar smell of autumn.


Later on at the pier, the sky softens into a blend of oranges, pinks, and golden yellows as cotton candy color clouds stretch across the horizon. As the sun sinks lower into the horizon golden beams of light filter through the sky, adding a cozy warmth to the crisp air.



Everything feels calm and still, as if the day is quietly saying goodbye.


For me, nothing quite compares to the serenity of an autumn day or the breathtaking beauty of an evening sunset. There something about both that stirs me in ways words can't quite capture.


Have you ever felt like nature was speaking directly to your soul?


Why Sunsets and Autumn Colors Resonate with Me

Sunsets and autumn evoke feelings of nostalgia, peace, and wonder in me. Their fleeting beauty invites us to pause, breathe, and marvel at the world’s quiet brilliance and to appreciate on the simplicity of stillness.


Their fleeting beauty invites us to pause, breathe, and marvel...

To me, they symbolize wisdom and show us the beauty in transitions, and the illusion of stillness. When we are still, we can truly notice how time and space are always moving, teaching us to appreciate the present before it slips away.



When I was a Girl Scout, we would go on hikes during camping trips in the autumn. These nature walks unknowingly deepened my connection to these colors and cultivated an appreciation for the serenity pausing to observe my surroundings. 


The Pallet of Nature: A Source of Artistic Inspiration

According to an article published by the Australian Psychological Society, watching sunsets could be good for you. If you’re anything like me, sunsets have a calming effect on you and can ease anxiety and put negative thinking at bay. 



Color psychology suggests that the warm colors seen in sunsets can evoke feelings of happiness, optimism, creativity, hope and comfort. These are the feelings that I want to feel when I am creating and viewing art.


These are the feelings that I want to feel when I am creating and viewing art.

When I lay out my paints on my palette, I always put them in a specific order. I want to be reminded of sunsets at every step. I even go a step further. Instead of using black, I mix complementary colors to find a deeper hue that suits the subject matter and translates the depth that I need while maintaining the warmth I desire.



I am thoughtful in my process, because I want my audience - you - to have a beneficial experience when viewing my art. I want my art to feel like it has a calming and healing effect. I want you to feel safe, compelled - even, to pause, breathe, and marvel.


The Meaning Behind My Work

My personal mission as an artist is to invite others to pause, breathe, and appreciate life’s still and simple moments, finding beauty in each of them. 



Through an intentional color palette, I capture the vibrant and immense beauty of fleeting moments of "stillness" in nature. My subject matter is varied, ranging from figures to nature to the abstract, and evolves with me as I evolve as a person and an artist.


...I capture the vibrant and immense beauty of fleeting moments in nature.

Through my work, I aim to evoke comfort and hope, encouraging others to see the extraordinary in the everyday.


What About You?

So, what about you? What are some of your favorite fleeting moments in nature or life that take your breath away? Maybe it’s a quiet moment of solitude, a special time with loved ones, or a scene that simply fills you with awe.


What do these moments mean to you, and how do they shape the way you experience the world?



Let's Chat and Connect

I’d love to hear your stories - feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email at pdanielleartwork@gmail.com!


If my art resonates with you, I invite you to explore my portfolio on my website, where you can find pieces inspired by these beautiful moments of wonder.



Subscribe to my blog for more personal stories, insights into my creative process, and updates on my latest work. If you like this post, share it with a family member or friend who might find it inspiring.


Lastly, keep an eye out for my upcoming pieces - I’m always inspired by the world around me.


I'm always inspired by the world around me.

Let’s share the beauty of these moments together. I can’t wait to share my next post with you in a couple of weeks!





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