The Colors of Mexico: How Culture Influences My Acrylic Palette

When I paint, I don’t just choose colors because they’re pretty - well, I do - but I also choose them because they fit together and create a kind of symbiosis.

Mexican Colours

In Mexican culture, color is everywhere: in the papel picado (cut paper banners), the markets, the food, the flowers, the textiles, and even the houses. Bright reds, sunny yellows, deep blues, juicy oranges, and of course Mexican pink, these colors are not shy. They are bold, shiny, and inspiring.

You can often see them in:

• Traditional textiles and embroidery
• Papel picado (cut paper decorations)
• Festival decor
• Folk art and crafts
• Even architecture and fashion

About Rosa Mexicano

Mexican Pink (Rosa Mexicano) is a vibrant, bold shade of pink that has become one of the most iconic colours in Mexican culture. It’s not a soft or pastel pink, it’s bright, energetic, and full of personality, just like Mexico itself.

It was famously popularized in the 1940s–50s by Ramón Valdiosera, a Mexican artist and fashion designer. He believed this powerful pink reflected the soul and vibrancy of Mexico and the name Rosa Mexicano stuck.

La Casa Azul

La Casa Azul, or The Blue House, is the bright cobalt-blue home of iconic artist Frida Kahlo, nestled in Coyoacán, Mexico City. The deep, bold blue walls reflect both Mexican tradition and Frida’s intense, colorful spirit. Today, it’s a museum filled with her art, personal belongings, and vibrant décor, a place where every corner tells a story in shades of passion, pain, and vivid color.

Alebrijes

The bold colors of alebrijes, electric blues, fiery oranges, neon greens, always leave me in awe. These fantastical creatures are not just folk art; they’re a celebration of imagination, emotion, and energy.

Mexican Cuisine

The same goes for Mexican cuisine, where every plate is like a canvas: the deep red of mole, the bright green of guacamole, the warm yellows of corn tortillas. All these vivid colors have found their way into my paintings. They taught me not to be afraid of contrast or intensity but to let color speak loudly, joyfully, and from the heart.

I got my colour wheel from my husband’s aunt, who is an amazing painter in Mexico. I use it often to get the colour scheme right, and to make sure my paintings don’t feel “off.” When I mix acrylics, I always try to keep the bold, joyful spirit of Mexican art alive.

So next time you pick a color for your painting, ask yourself:
What does this color mean to me? Where does it come from?
That’s how you paint with heart.