I love energetic, bright colors. I wear them and surround myself with them. As a lifelong musician, I also love music with marked dynamic contrasts, such as Mars from Holst’s “The Planets” and the finale to Sebelius’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major.

However, I feel most creative in the absence of noise and color. Quiet ambient sound and soft background light set the stage for solitude, allowing the colors and music of my mind to spring forward -- to dominate my thought processes.

Pantone demonstrated its understanding of the beauty of solitude when it selected “Cloud Dancer” (11-4201) to be its 2026 Color of the Year. It described Cloud Dancer as “a whisper of tranquility and peace in a noisy world…a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection…imbued with serenity, [it] encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.”

My most memorable encounter with solitude was in Antarctica almost twenty years ago. Antarctica is harsh and unforgiving. The wind howls constantly, but behind it is an unearthly quiet. Color is sparsely distributed in this white environment full of cold, hard surfaces. Turn your back on the weather and you may not survive to talk about it.

And yet, the absence of noise and color is serene. It invites the observer to hold still and say nothing, to momentarily let go of their concerns and look inward, and to let their mind wander – to engage in a very personal soliloquy.

*A Weddell Seal soaking up the Antarctic sun*

One morning in December, we spent some time at Mikkelson Harbor. A solitary Weddell seal was lying on its side, lazily sunning itself. I laid down near the seal, far enough away to be safe, but close enough to share in its silent solitude. It was a magnificent, unforgettable experience that I will always treasure – and to which I often long to escape.

I invite you to experience the beauty of solitude.

The beauty of solitude

My fascination with the color orange