Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Adult Coloring


It used to be a jigsaw puzzle. And I still like jigsaw puzzles. But now it’s a coloring book.

It’s not the coloring book from my past that featured Barbie or TV cartoon characters, but a newly branded adult coloring book with pictures of varied and abstract animals, nature, geometric shapes, and more. With intricate delineations, it begs to be respected by coloring, as we used to say, in the lines.

Back then, the instrument of choice for applying color to the page was a Crayola crayon; preferably from the 64 pack featuring colors like periwinkle, goldenrod, apricot, mulberry, cadet blue, raw umber, and cornflower. Most of these have continued to avoid forced retirement; however, raw umber and mulberry have bitten the dust. The unlikely burnt sienna was saved and is still with us.

My crayons have now stepped aside for the colored pencils - 50 of them - which make me stare and contemplate more than if I only have 8 or 16 to choose from. And when I do choose a pencil, I also use another contrasting or complimentary color because I like the look when coloring small adjacent spaces. Watching the page slowly transform from black and white to vivid hues is like watching the sun rise as life become visible.

So what’s the big deal? I don’t know, but it feels good. Everyone who writes about it calls it a stress reliever; something that makes them relax. For me, it feels more like a creative process - fun, slightly challenging, and a quest for patience. It allows me to join the real artists of the world. As for the relaxation, yes, I’m pretty relaxed, though sometimes when I want a bright picture, as opposed to one that’s more pastel, I bear down with the pencil and that sometimes puts a tightness in my aging arm and shoulder. But when that happens, I just ease up.

During the Thanksgiving weekend I visited my parents and took colored pencils and new dollar store coloring books. (After all, I didn’t know if Mom would want to color or not, so no need to spend ten bucks on one book when I could present her with 3 for $3.00… right?) After we were all stuffed with dinner and dessert, the coloring commenced. I was glad to see my teen-aged nephew grab one of the books because some see this as a girl thing, and it’s not. (Google it.) Pages were torn from another book and shared by my daughters. Mom watched. It was our last day there. We were going home in an hour. Before we left, she said, “Are you leaving my coloring books?"

Yes, I did leave her coloring books. And she’s been coloring - a lot! Whenever she’s plagued with her health issues or trying to help with my stepfather’s health issues and it gets to be time for a time out, she gets the book and pencils. Or instead of giving in to the sofa while watching TV, she sits at the table coloring while glimpsing at the TV. This is turning out to be a nice discovery for both of us. My daughter gave me a nice quality coloring book for Christmas and I can see its addiction potential; like my jigsaw puzzles. “I’ll do one more piece before I go to bed.” And then it’s 20 more pieces. With the coloring, it’s one more leaf, or the shoes, or the eyes...

I sound like an expert, right? Ha! I’m only on my third page.

But… the coloring book is a keeper. I might need it as we board the next bus that begins our travels through 2017 and beyond. Hoping the ride will be smooth so that I will stay inside the lines.


What do you do to unwind? Have you tried coloring?

My daughter, Girl #3, prefers coloring with markers. I'll try markers soon.

Art by Girl #3

10 comments:

Karen said...

I've tried coloring and it's just not relaxing for me. I think I stress out too much about choosing colors. Kind of like choosing paint -- I love having color in my house, yet it's a commitment so I really stress about getting just the right shade. So, I relax with jigsaw puzzles! I received one for Christmas, still have one from my birthday that I need to do, and I gave my husband one for Christmas:) Because I like them, haha! We do like working them together though, glass of wine, an hour or two of just chatting and looking for that next piece.

joeh said...

I get it, I can see how it could be relaxing, fun and rewarding...me? I could never stay between the lines.

ShadowRun300 said...

I remember coloring with my daughter when she was younger, and I was suprised how much I enjoyed it. I'm guessing I would enjoy the adult coloring books even more. I love jigsaws as well, but they take up so much room that I haven't started one in a while. I may just have to go purchase a book. :)

Mari said...

I haven't done the coloring but I know it's a bi deal. A lot of my patients love it.

Abby said...

I gave a fancy one of these for a Christmas gift exchange, but have never tried it myself. What a great idea to bring a bunch along for Thanksgiving!

Linda Hensley said...

I think these would be great to see in doctors' offices. I love coloring in coloring books. You'd think that my expensive art degree would mean otherwise, but it's just quiet play that helps quiet the part of my brain that won't shut up. Coloring with others is fun too. I'm glad you had happy family time :)

Tabor said...

Very popular among the craft folks. I see the books everywhere. I used to love to do stuff like this and found it very calming. It no longer appeals, but that is OK. Great story about your mother, I love that!

Hilary said...

I've seen the books everywhere. I've bought some dollar store selections as token/mystery gifts. I've heard how various people enjoy them. Leave it to you to actually write about it. :)

I haven't tried it thought it's quite possible that I might. I also had jigsaw puzzles in mind as something similar. And cross stitch - which is what I'd prefer to spend TV time doing.. though I haven't done that in years.

I love the way your Mom decided she wanted to indulge.

Barb said...

Hello young Friend! It's fun to read what you're up to again. I know about the adult coloring books, but I've never tried them. However, I'm wondering if my older Grands (the twins turn 14 this weekend) would enjoy coloring in these books? Maybe when I'm in the city I'll see if I can find some. What I like to do for fun and relaxation is edit my photos. I find editing to be a true creative process and very satisfying. Sometimes, I make note cards from my finished products and give them as gifts to friends and family. I've made story books for the kids and also coffee table books of our travels. I like how your mom has found a respite from life's concerns through the coloring process. Sometimes, when life gets us down, we do need to choose a different crayon from the the box!

Buckeroomama said...

I'd been ordering our books from Book Depository and each time a book comes, it comes with a bookmark. Smart people that they are, they make the bookmarks one that you can color (like the ones in adult coloring books). I'd managed to finish one and it's so much fun! We still have quite a few to go through.