Color Restriction: An Ode to Spring Yellows

Nothing heralds the arrival of Spring to me quite like the color yellow! It comes like a daring shock after months of winter’s muted tones, as if Nature wants to grab our attention and give us a much needed shot of hope that warmer days are coming. Daffodils/Narcissus flowers, tulips, and little blossoming buds on trees paint the canvas of a spring that hasn’t popped complete, but holds promise. They are the early signals for the multitude of colors that are on their way — and we can look forward to a full spectrum of bright colors that will thrive in the weather to come.

Because of it’s brightness (like our yellow sun), we’ve adopted yellow into our society to convey a sense of urgency - utilizing it for warnings signs, alerts, and hazards. It draws our attention. In spite of it’s cheerful dominance, it’s also become associated with cowardice. Interestingly, this most likely has to do with how yellow is a color associated with illness ( like yellow jaundice) or fear (like peeing your pants from fright*). Again, it’s a sort of natural sign to pay attention, to be careful and cautious, which is part of what being a coward is all about. But the boldness of the color yellow itself, is hardly cowardly, merely the associations we attach to it.

Oh - and let’s not forget about bees, wasps, and other animals who use yellow as a strong statement to would-be predators; watch out!

Whatever the use, yellow definitely makes a striking statement. As I mentioned in February’s Ode to Winter Whites, I enjoy how much variety can still be enjoyed in the restriction of the color palette. And so, I present to you a few recent photos that celebrate and emphasize the color yellow while we anxiously await for Spring to bloom fully.

Of course, yellow awaits us in the Autumn... the changing leaves being used by nature to herald the arrival of Winter...but let's not dwell on that, and enjoy the glorious season we're in right now!