Purple: The Colour of Imagination, Individuality and Inner Depth

Purple has always felt like a colour with a bit of mystery about it.

It's not one I've ever thought of as particularly ordinary or everyday.

Growing up, I associated purple with royalty. It seemed quite grand, luxurious and almost a little exclusive. Not necessarily a colour you'd casually wear or use anywhere.

Then there's its spiritual side.

I've always associated purple with amethyst, one of the most recognisable crystals, with those beautiful, rich violet tones that seem to have so much depth to them.

So, for me, purple has always had a rather interesting personality.

It's strong and impactful, sometimes a little overpowering, but it can also feel warm, comforting and safe.

And when it comes to using purple in my artwork, I've learnt that a little can sometimes say an awful lot.

What does the colour purple mean?

In colour psychology, purple is often associated with imagination, creativity, mystery, individuality, wisdom and spirituality.

Historically, purple has also been connected with royalty, wealth and status.

Part of that association comes from the fact that certain purple dyes were once extremely expensive and difficult to produce, making purple clothing a symbol of wealth and privilege in some societies.

Perhaps that's why purple can still feel rather luxurious today.

But the meaning of purple goes far beyond royalty.

It can feel mysterious and imaginative, encouraging us to look beyond what's immediately obvious.

It can also have a quieter, more reflective quality, particularly in deeper or more muted shades.

Of course, our responses to colour are very personal.

Someone might see purple as bold and confident, while another person associates it with peace, spirituality or happy memories.

And that's something I find fascinating about colour.

We can all look at exactly the same shade and feel something completely different.

Purple, spirituality and the connection with amethyst

When I think of purple, amethyst is one of the first things that comes to mind.

With its beautiful violet and deep purple colouring, it's a crystal that has long been associated with spirituality, reflection and calm in various traditions.

I think that connection gives purple a certain depth.

There's something quite intriguing about the colour. It can feel almost otherworldly, particularly when you see those darker violet shades with subtle variations of light running through them.

I'm not suggesting that purple or amethyst has magical powers to change how we feel.

But I do think the associations we build around colours and objects can influence the emotions they bring up for us.

For some people, purple might be a reminder to slow down and reflect.

For others, it might represent imagination, intuition or a connection with something beyond the everyday.

My Amethyst Paper Art Print was inspired by the rich purple tones of amethyst stone.

It's a lovely example of how purple can feel both expressive and peaceful, bringing depth and colour into a space without necessarily making it feel busy.

Purple and creativity: a colour that doesn't always play by the rules

I think purple has a rather individual character.

It's not as immediately familiar as blue or green, and it doesn't always have the cheerful, sunny associations of yellow or orange.

There's something a little more unexpected about it.

Perhaps that's why purple is so often connected with imagination and creative thinking.

To me, creativity is about being open to possibilities.

It's about experimenting, trying something different and not feeling restricted by what you're supposed to do.

That's certainly how I approach my abstract artwork.

I love working with different colours, layers, textures and marks, allowing each piece to develop rather than forcing it to follow a rigid plan.

And purple can bring a really interesting quality to that process.

It adds strength, contrast and sometimes a sense of drama.

But it also needs a little consideration.

Because while purple can be beautiful, it can also be quite overpowering.

Why I use purple carefully in my artwork

I've always been fairly cautious about using purple, much as I have with red.

Both colours can have a very strong presence.

If I use too much purple in one area of an artwork, I sometimes find it takes over.

Instead of adding something interesting to the composition, it can start demanding all the attention.

And that's not always the feeling I'm trying to create.

I often prefer using purple alongside other colours, allowing it to appear in different areas of the piece.

That way, it can add contrast, richness and depth without overwhelming everything around it.

Sometimes it's a small area of deep plum that catches your eye.

Sometimes it's a darker mark that helps bring balance to brighter colours.

And sometimes it's the combination of purple with another shade that makes the whole artwork feel more interesting.

I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy mixed-media art so much.

There are so many ways to create contrast, not only through colour but through texture, layers and mark-making too.

It's all about finding the right balance for the particular piece.

If you enjoy purple but don't necessarily want an artwork that's entirely purple, have a look at Labradorite Canvas Art Print, an artwork that sits alongside other colours.

From lilac to aubergine: the different moods of purple

One of the interesting things about purple is just how much its personality changes depending on the shade.

A pale lavender can feel completely different from a rich aubergine.

And I definitely have my preferences!

Lavender and lilac

Lighter purples are often associated with softness, gentleness and calm.

They can create an airy, delicate feeling, particularly when paired with white, cream or other pale colours.

Personally, though, I've never been especially drawn to them.

I think that's partly because they remind me of pink, which wasn't a colour I particularly liked growing up.

Violet

Violet can feel more vibrant and expressive.

It has a brightness that makes it noticeable without necessarily having the same weight as deeper purples.

In artwork, it can bring a lively sense of contrast, particularly alongside blues, greens and yellows.

Plum

Now, this is much more my kind of purple.

Plum has a lovely richness to it.

It's deep and warm, with a cosy quality that makes it feel inviting rather than overly dramatic.

I love the way it can add depth to an artwork without needing to dominate the whole piece.

Aubergine

Aubergine is another favourite of mine.

It's dark, rich and quite atmospheric.

For me, it feels warm, safe and comforting.

It has strength, but there's also something grounding about it.

I can imagine aubergine working beautifully in a room where you want a sense of warmth and personality without everything feeling too bright.

Deep purple

Deeper purples can feel bold, mysterious and luxurious.

They're often the shades that bring those traditional associations with royalty and richness to mind.

But depending on what they're paired with, they can also feel surprisingly cosy and relaxed.

That's what makes purple such an interesting colour to work with.

It can be dramatic or gentle, expressive or reflective.

Sometimes several of those things at once.

Our relationship with colour can change over time

Something I've noticed as I've got older is that the colours we're drawn to aren't necessarily fixed.

Growing up, I was a bit of a tomboy.

I wasn't particularly interested in anything I considered too girly, and pink was definitely one of those colours.

Because lighter purples reminded me of pink, I tended to avoid them too.

I was much more comfortable with deeper, darker colours.

And while I still prefer plum and aubergine when it comes to purple, my relationship with other colours has changed.

I've only really started introducing pink into my artwork over the last few years.

It's funny how our tastes can evolve, isn't it?

A colour we wouldn't have considered wearing, decorating with or using in artwork years ago can suddenly feel completely different.

Perhaps our experiences change.

Perhaps we become more open to trying things.

Or perhaps we simply stop worrying quite so much about what a particular colour is supposed to say about us.

I think that's an important part of individuality.

We don't have to stick with the same colours forever, and we certainly don't have to follow anyone else's rules about what we should like.

Purple and wellbeing: creating space for reflection

Purple is sometimes discussed in relation to wellbeing, particularly because of its associations with calm, spirituality and introspection.

But I think it's important to remember that colours don't affect everyone in the same way.

A deep purple might feel comforting and restful to one person.

To someone else, it might feel heavy or too intense.

Neither response is wrong.

When I think about purple and wellbeing, I'm more interested in the way colour contributes to the atmosphere of a room and how that atmosphere makes us feel.

For example, a rich plum artwork might bring warmth and a sense of comfort to a reading corner.

A softer violet might introduce a gentler, more reflective feeling into a bedroom.

And a vibrant purple used alongside other colours might make a creative space feel more expressive and individual.

It's not about expecting purple to make us calmer, more creative or more spiritual.

It's about noticing whether the colour creates a feeling we enjoy.

Sometimes the smallest things in our surroundings can become lovely visual reminders to slow down, enjoy a moment or reconnect with ourselves.

Purple and blue: two colours with a reflective side

Purple and blue have some interesting similarities.

Both can feel calm, thoughtful and reflective, particularly in their deeper shades.

But I think they have slightly different personalities.

Blue, for me, has a sense of openness.

It reminds me of skies, water and space. It can feel peaceful and expansive.

Purple feels more inward-looking.

There's a richness and mystery to it that can encourage a different kind of reflection.

Where blue might make you think of looking out towards the horizon, purple might make you think of turning your attention inwards.

Of course, that's just my interpretation.

Your response might be completely different.

If you enjoy exploring how colours influence the atmosphere of a space, you might also like my blog post Blue: The Colour of Calm, Clarity and Emotional Space.

How to use purple artwork in your home

Purple might seem like quite a bold choice for your home, especially if you're used to decorating with neutrals.

But you don't have to fill a room with purple to enjoy it.

In fact, I'd often suggest the opposite.

A little purple can go a long way.

An artwork that includes purple alongside other colours can introduce depth and personality without taking over the entire room.

And depending on the shade, purple can work with more colour combinations than you might expect.

Purple with cream or beige can feel warm and balanced, allowing the artwork to stand out against a quieter background.

Purple with green can create a rich, nature-inspired combination, particularly when using deeper shades.

Purple with orange or yellow introduces contrast and energy, which can be really effective in colourful abstract artwork.

Purple with blue can feel harmonious, thoughtful and atmospheric.

Purple with wood and natural textures can soften its more dramatic side, making it feel warmer and easier to live with.

The trick isn't necessarily to match everything perfectly.

It's to create a space that feels right to you.

And if you love the idea of a statement piece without investing in an original painting, my Abstract Canvas Prints offer another way to bring expressive colour and personality into your home.

Where does purple artwork work best?

I don't think there are strict rules about where purple belongs.

It really depends on the shade, the artwork and the feeling you want to create.

In a living room, purple can bring warmth, richness and a sense of individuality.

In a bedroom, softer purples or deeper plum tones can create a more restful, cosy atmosphere.

In a home office or creative space, purple artwork can add character and encourage a more imaginative feel.

In a hallway, a colourful piece featuring purple can make an interesting first impression.

And in a reading corner, deep aubergine or plum can feel particularly inviting alongside warm lighting, books and comfortable textures.

I'd always encourage you to think about the atmosphere first.

Do you want the room to feel cosy?

Expressive?

Peaceful?

A little mysterious?

Or simply more like you?

Those questions are far more useful than trying to follow a set of decorating rules.

Purple throughout the seasons

Purple might not be the first colour you associate with every season, but it can work beautifully throughout the year.

In spring, lighter lilac and violet tones can remind us of flowers and fresh growth.

In summer, brighter purples can bring to mind lavender fields, flowering gardens and vibrant colour.

In autumn, deeper plum and aubergine shades sit beautifully alongside burnt orange, ochre, brown and warm neutrals.

And in winter, rich purple can create a cosy, enveloping feeling, especially when combined with softer lighting and natural textures.

That's another reason I love the deeper shades.

They have a warmth that makes them feel welcoming, particularly during the colder months.

Choosing purple art that feels right for you

If you're drawn to purple artwork, I'd encourage you to start with your own emotional response rather than worrying about what purple is supposed to mean.

Do you love the richness of deep plum?

Does violet feel exciting and expressive?

Does lavender remind you of somewhere special?

Or are you drawn to purple when it's mixed with other colours, creating contrast and movement?

You might find that you love purple in artwork even if you wouldn't dream of painting an entire wall that colour.

And that's absolutely fine.

One of the lovely things about art is that it allows us to bring colours into our homes in a way that feels personal and manageable.

You can enjoy a bold colour without committing to it everywhere.

More importantly, you can choose something simply because you love looking at it.

You don't need to justify your taste.

You don't need to understand every mark or know exactly what the artist intended.

And you certainly don't need anyone else's permission.

Purple: a colour with more than one side

I think that's what makes purple so interesting.

It's a colour with a bit of a reputation.

Royalty. Luxury. Mystery. Spirituality.

It can seem bold, dramatic and perhaps even a little intimidating.

But the purple I'm most drawn to has another side.

Deep plum and aubergine feel warm, cosy and safe to me.

They bring richness and depth, but also a sense of comfort.

And while I'm careful about how much purple I use in my artwork, I love the contrast and personality it can add when it finds its place amongst other colours.

Perhaps that's the real appeal of purple.

It doesn't have to be one thing.

It can be strong and comforting.

Mysterious and familiar.

Expressive and reflective.

And just like the people who are drawn to it, it doesn't need to fit neatly into a particular category.

If purple speaks to you, enjoy it for whatever it makes you feel.

Because the colours we choose to surround ourselves with should reflect our own personality, memories and experiences.

Not somebody else's idea of what they ought to mean.

Want to make your home feel a little more like you?

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