Anyone who has driven across a desert at sunrise or sunset has seen the rich, resonant shade of red-orange that is at the heart of the earthy color scheme. This hue, the color of Mother Earth,stirs up an almost atavistic love of nature and is often used in art and design that allude to or include natral forms. The earthy color scheme transforms the high energy of red-orange with a hint of black, a great combination for stimulating energy while remaining "grounded" It is hard to find a culture that has not used red clay,also called terra cotta. to create vessels, floor or roof tiles, or cooking pots; so this color scheme seems almost universally to hint of home and hearth. It call to mind abundant and relaxed country living, and a warm climate (like that of the Mediterranean or the American Southwest). This is the chosen palette of many type of aboriginal arts and crafts; Native American jewelry,with its turquoise,copper and coral, the kilim rugs of the Middle East,Tibetan mandalas, and the sand paintings of Australian Aborigines all rely upon the earthy color scheme.
