2014 Trends

January is such a great time to reset and lay out plans to make time for our art. The sneak-away minutes that I get to design, create and paint keep me fueled for my busy life and this year there is so much to inspire creativity.

The color trends are in full gear and you will be seeing lots of ORCHID. Pantone is touting this color all over the place and I can’t wait to see new jackets, sweaters, fun summer wear and home décor in this “hot” color. Radiant Orchid is described by Pantone as “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones. Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.” Pair that color with the colors of spring-Placid Blue, Violet Tulip, Hemlock, Freesia, Cayenne, Dazzling Blue, Celosia Orange and Sand and you have the palette for 2014.

Black and White are still a mainstay, but are softening a bit and blue continues to be strong with rich vibrant shades of cobolt and peacock and more saturated colors like navy and indigo.

In addition to color, we are seeing lots of metallic, textures and glass. Expect to see nubby clothing and shiny bling interwoven in fabrics and accessories. Lots of layering and mixing with metals, wood and fabric. If you watched any of the award shows this month, you will see the layers of lace or liquid gold dominating the scene already.

There is a feeling of tradition in everything you see. A return to traditional styles and a feeling of comfort are wrapped in chintz and floral and updated with a mix of geometric prints and patterns to give it a modern look.

Vintage looks and one of-a-kind pieces are sneaking back into the limelight. Social media has cut the lifespan of a trend in half, making us a bit overexposed. The eclectic and unusual find our eyes first. Look for “old fashioned” chalk paints and glazes in paint and inks to further enhance your vintage finds.

These trends could definitely be spotted at the Craft and Hobby Association show held in Anaheim this month. Paper distributors, floral, threads, etc. were all on board with the colors and glitz of the year.

I am always looking for specific icons of the season and there was no shortages of camera, fox and star shapes. I expect to see old time cameras used in home décor and embedded in fabrics as the year continues. Foxes…well, they are simply sweet doggies in disguise!

Glass continues to be the trend of the hour. From clear, layered glass frames to Mason jars to home accessories, and whiteware, glass is here to stay for a while. Painted glass mediums are the rage and you will see chalk paints, markers, stick-ons, texture glazes, tags, screen printed stencils and other “easy” to create with mediums popping up.

Layered art, mixed media, 3-d art and anything textured, glazed or stacked! A host of new products address the artist in all of us. We are stepping out of the traditional canvas/oil/acrylic box and successfully transitioning into mixed media!!

Manufacturers are making the transition easy with paints and tools that make the transition for reluctant artists so much easier.

Social media, Pinterest and the like have artists observing, talking, experimenting, engaging in online classes and chats. All this communication has helped manufacturers satisfy our needs for new, easy to use products and innovative ways to step up our creative process.

Let 2014 be your year to step up and try something new. Plan to spend some “sneak away” time of your own playing, designing and creating this year.