Brazil is a colorful place. It’s not just the beautiful shades of the flowers, trees, and birds. It’s also the colors that people choose for everyday things, from house paint and street art to ceramics and even market stalls.
I first noticed this Brazilian love of color when my sister-in-law commented on the lack of color in American homes. I realized that she was right, that American homes are most often white or cream, maybe with brown trim or brick accents, and almost never the saturated colors you see in Brazil. Brazilians are a happy people who live with gusto and lots of emotion, and the colors of Brazil definitely reflect the character of its people.
If you’re going to paint a chicken coop, why not paint it bright blue?
Bright blue adds character to my sister-in-law’s house.
This house even makes some of the neighbors wonder if it’s too much, but to me the paint colors and flowers look very Brazilian.
A restaurant in São Paulo doesn’t shy away from color (and note the ceramic couple watching passersby!).
Street art in São Paulo on one of the city’s main roads:
I have loved the bright colors of this man’s paintings of Brazil since I first saw them years ago.
Brazilian ceramics are tons of fun–the colors and patterns are just wonderful.
The young artist who makes animals out of recycled paper chooses bright colors and patterns, and they turn out great!
Bahianas, or women from the northern state of Bahia, usually dress in white, including the head covering. This one was happily dancing to the music being performed in front of her food stall at an outdoor market in São Paulo.
Market stallsare always decorated with covers, usually blue or yellow, and often include other colorful details, like the yellow signs and blue egg containers.
Blue ceramic peacocks are a typical handicraft from southern Brazil.
One of the funky new payphones in São Paulo happens to sit in front of the red pillars of Brazil’s best art museum, MASP.
If you’re going to paint the door to your yard, you may as well choose a beautiful color. And at least the person who painted the graffiti chose a color that complements the blue and goes well with the flowers!
Finally, just for fun, a colorful photo of my mother-in-law and her granddaughter.
And you? Would you like to experience the colors of Brazil? What colorful places have you traveled to? How do you think color reflects your culture?
(This post is part of this week’s photo series at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Click on over for more!)
Ahh I’m loving this! Colourful surroundings just make me happy! Unfortunately here in Korea, everything is just differing variations on grey, or occasionally brown. I always get so excited when I see the colour that’s splashed over the palaces here.
That payphone is amazing, by the way! I’ve never seen one like it. Oh, and I’d totally live in the yellow house, even if the neighbours did think it was too much.
Waegook Tom recently posted..Hot Springs & Romance
Thanks, Tom! And sorry to hear about all the gray in Korea since color is so uplifting. I too like the outside of the yellow house, although I have to say that I’ve been inside and didn’t care for it.
Oh I really need to figure out how to get down there this winter, it looks so wonderful.
Ayngelina recently posted..Love notes from a graffiti artist
When you go, I will gladly follow along on your site! I would love to see how you interpret Brazil.
What a nice selection of photos. I love the use of colour in buildings and I think it makes it come alive. Forget beige and white and taupe. That’s one of the reasons OI love Newfoundland so much – a great lot of colourful homes.
Leigh recently posted..Float Plane Ride: Anahim Lake to Laidman Lake Lodge
I haven’t been to Newfoundland but love that bright colors are used there, especially since it is cold there.
These colors remind me of the colors of Mexico – they add such a vibrancy to life. Beautiful photos.
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I haven’t been to Mexico but I can imagine that it is also very colorful.
I love it when people paint their houses and buildings with bright colors. Things are so much more dull here in the states. I remember going to Sintra in Portugal. There was a castle there that was painted every color of the rainbow and had the most amazing sculptures and details in the design. It was incredible. Wish I could have lived there for sure.
I love the picture of the ceramic couple watching people as they pass by. And you are right. At least the person who put graffiti on the door chose a complimentary color.
Keryn @ walkingon travels recently posted..Oregon Road Trip: Summer Love in Cannon Beach
The castle sounds like something I would like. In fact, I can’t wait to get to Portugal!
Beautiful photos
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Complex – 1990
I haven’t been to Brazil yet but it’s great to see that everyone uses colour so freely. Blue and yellow seem to be a very popular combination. India is my favourite country for colour.
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Eating in New York
I haven’t been to India but definitely have noticed the colors in other travelers’ photos.
These vibrant colors really appeal to me. My suburban homeowners’ association in Texas would have a fit if I tried to paint my house or even my front door one of these beautiful hues.
Michele @ Malaysian Meanders recently posted..R&R in Phuket, Thailand
All the more reason to promote more vibrant colors where we live…?
Love this! There’s not nearly enough colour in the northern world!
Sophie recently posted..The stairs of Girona
Love the payphone, how fun!
Ana O’Reilly recently posted..Travel Memory Mondays: drive from London to Southwestern France
Now that’s a vibrant town and country! I love the blues in your sister’s house..electrifying! Great post and stipunning pics my friend!
Jeff Titelius recently posted..ArtSmart Roundtable: Raphael’s ‘School of Athens’ in the Vatican Museum
Love the colors! My boys are pushing to go to Brazil since hearing about the 2016 Olympics.
Jessica recently posted..Searching for Something at the Orange Show Houston and Finding Smithers Park
Hosting the Olympics is going to drive tons of tourism to Brazil, I am sure. It really puts the country on people’s radar. I am sure you guys would love it! It’s a great country to visit with kids.
I love the figurines and the street art installation. The man with his paintings at the backgrounds is awesome too. Wonderful post this is on Brazil.
Cheers
Wends of Journeys and Travels recently posted..Hong Kong’s Clock Tower sentry of the past in the present
Beautiful pictures! I love all the colors everywhere – it makes the day a bit more cheerful. That payphone is awesome! Your interesting photos of Brazil makes me want to go. I have a soft spot for ceramic and local handicrafts so the ones here are great. It looks like you’re having a wonderful vacation.
Thank you. There are cruises around the coast of Brazil that I hear are wonderful–that might be something you would enjoy since you and your family already like cruises.
I would agree, homes in the US are quite dull. Not like Brazil.
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These are great. I especially love the blue chicken coop. I was in Rio in February for Carnival and noticed the same thing. I took tons of graffiti pictures. The colors and talent behind it intrigued me. But Sunday’s Hippie Fair really showcased the Brazilians love of color. I was able to get so many wonderful shots, even a woman dressed as Carmen Miranda.
Leah Travels recently posted..The Weird and Wonderful in Tokyo
Yes, the fairs in Sao Paulo on the weekends are great, too, and really showcase not just their love of color but also their creativity and artistry. Carnaval in Rio must have been a great experience!
I love this post and photos! I agree! We recently painted a flowerbox out my kitchen window the same blue I see in these photos and the door to the backyard a deep pinkish red. I love the pay phone also…
monique recently posted..longtime love affair with the cinquecento
The new colors at your house sound so fun! My mom recently used some wonderful colors in her house, too. Let’s hope more Americans start using saturated colors!
I’m in gray Korea as well and I long for color when I’m here. As Leigh mentioned, St. John’s, Nfld. is known for it’s colorful houses. Halifax, also has a fair bit of color in some areas. These shots are beautiful.
Nancie recently posted..In Celebration of World Elephant Day–Thailand’s Elephant Nature Park
Blue ceramic peacock is amazing! What a colourful art! I’ve never been to Brazil but it’s on my list for sure. Great to see it through the photos. Hope Brazil reduce the visa fee though!
Thank you! The visa fee is usually (or always?) reciprocal. The visa fee for me is the same as what the U.S. charges, which is high for us and them.
Loving these colors of Brazil! Reminds me of Indian colors…so bright and warm.They make you feel so alive.
Charu recently posted..Laughing Man Coffee: Ethics and New York’s Best Flat White Coffee
Agreed…being in Brazil leaves you with that energy. They definitely live with a little extra oomph, and it shows in the colors.
I love all these colors and how they liven everything around. I so enjoyed walking through the colorful town of San Martin de Los Andes in Argentina. Very colorful as well. In the US, Santa Fe in New Mexico also seemed to celebrate color. Had no idea there was a color fiesta in Brazil too, interesting
Ayelet – All Colores recently posted..How to Make it Through Long Distance Travel: 10 Thorough Tips
I have been fascinated with Santa Fe since learning about its art community and unique architecture but haven’t visited yet!
Gringo Gene posted a link to you on Facebook.; what a delight and what a shame that I find you just when I am preparing to leave Brasil. I have been traveling here since 1992 and living full time since 2003. I would say that the use of color is new here,; say maybe the past 5 years as the economy has improved. Before houses and stores were either not painted or were white. the cost difference in colored paint versus white is tremendous. Just this August Camillo and I painted our house in Friburgo a light yellow – I wanted darker yellow and he wanted to keep it white, so the light color is a compromise.
Now as I put my home back together in Houston i will use more color…. I’ve been converted.
gingerv recently posted..One Step
I think it would be great if you used bright color in your house in Houston