It sounds like you're describing a piece with deep emotional resonance through its colors and movements. To evoke both happiness and sadness, you might consider using a palette that includes vibrant colors like warm yellows or soft pinks alongside cooler blues or muted grays.
Warm colors can symbolize joy, warmth, and nostalgia, while the cooler tones can reflect feelings of longing and loss. The balance of these colors can create a visual tension that invites the viewer to experience those mixed emotions.
In terms of movement, you could incorporate soft, flowing lines that suggest warmth and comfort, but juxtapose them with sharper, more angular forms that imply discomfort or loneliness. This contrast can help to articulate the duality of memory—how it can be simultaneously uplifting and heart-wrenching.
To create these elements, you might have used layering techniques, allowing the lighter, happier colors to shine through while partially obscured by the darker tones. This layering can symbolize how memories intermingle, creating a complexity that reflects your intended emotional experience.
Ultimately, the way you balance these colors and movements in your piece can serve as a powerful medium for expressing the bittersweet nature of remembrance.