Pink—The Surprising Color of Strength

La Toilette de Venus by Francois Boucher 1751—A quintessential example of
Rococo elegance and pink-toned lushness.

Pink has always been more than just “light red.” In the 18th century, it was the height of fashion in Europe—worn by both men and women of the aristocracy and celebrated in the Rococo paintings of artists like François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard. In those works, pink suggested elegance, playfulness, and even seduction.

By the 19th and 20th centuries, pink became increasingly tied to femininity, innocence, and childhood—especially after World War II, when marketing in the United States cemented “pink for girls” as a cultural norm.

Artists, however, have always pushed past those limits. Matisse used vibrant pinks structurally, Georgia O’Keeffe explored its sensuality, and Andy Warhol turned hot pink into a symbol of consumerism and pop culture. Today, artists like Yayoi Kusama and Mickalene Thomas use pink in bold, challenging ways, sometimes playful, sometimes confrontational.

Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol-- Warhol’s bold hot-pink treatments of this iconic figure showcase how pink became pop-culture shorthand, switching from delicate to daring .

I’ve noticed that for much of my career, I avoided pink. Maybe I subconsciously bought into its clichés. About a year ago, I decided to challenge myself to “make peace with pink.” That choice opened new doors in my studio. I’ve found ways to let pink bring warmth, tension, and even quiet strength into my paintings. It’s been a surprising and rewarding experiment, and one I’ll continue exploring. Here are some examples of my most recent work where I have incorporated the color pink without any avoidance. I have conquered my "fear" of pink. Now, I need to think of another color that doesn't show up much in my art!

If you would like to see a video that I put together on this topic, click right here.