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Harriet's Paintings

Why is gray the most popular color in the US?

Published 21 days ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,

I've lost count of the people who admire the color in my paintings and quickly add, "but I could never put that in my house!"

My work stands out as the brightest and boldest in any show.

Try as I might, I can't tone it down. This is me. On the margins of American culture once again.

I've often wondered: do I love bright bold colors so much because I lived in Africa, or do I love Africa because it's not afraid of color?

(I hasten to add that I look like a wall flower compared to West Africans.)

According to an article in the Atlantic, the US has been in a color recession since 2000.

Long gone are the 70s houses painted in a wild array of bright bold colors--although my son says some 'painted ladies', as they're referred to, are still standing in Grand Rapids.

Since 2000, the most popular color in the US is gray. Why?

Gray makes people feel tired, bored, and sad.

Why not opt for bright colors and feel happy?

Americans have been led to believe a gray car will have better resale value than a car of color. Houses will sell better if they are some shade of gray.

In fact, studies show that cars and houses of color sell better.

And Home Owners Associations (HOAs) favor gray because uniformity is cheaper to produce.

Is economics at the root of this gray fascination: feel tired, bored, and sad now and get more money later?

I don't buy it.

I'll take happy now!

Harriet's Paintings

Abstract geometric modern art

I'm intense and so is my art: bright colors, bold designs, clean lines that energize and add interest to any space. I layer oil paint and cold wax as thick as frosting on a cake. My many years in Africa shows up in my work: no fear, vibrant energy, rhythmic calm.

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