The Coloring (R)Evolution

It’s achieved cult-like status around the world.

In terms of stress relief, it’s on par with yoga and meditation. It offers child-like satisfaction, but don’t you dare tell enthusiasts that they’re reverting to their childhood.

It brings out the inner artist in those who thought they could never be creative.

It’s received wide-ranging media coverage in outlets such as the New York Times, The New Yorker, CBS news, NBC news, and NPR.

Now that it’s become mainstream (thanks to a large part to social media), longtime enthusiasts describe themselves as ​“coming out of the closet.” Including this writer.

We’re talking about the adult coloring phenomenon. 

Mind you, these devotees are delving into books that are among Amazon’s top sellers. They go beyond the familiar box of Crayola crayons and seek out high-end markers, colored pencils, and gel pens, and share tips about the most interesting books and best techniques for coloring and shading.

One of the most popular books is ​“Secret Gardens” by Johanna Basford, a Scottish artist who panicked when she heard the print run of her book was 30,000. Sales worldwide recently approached almost 7 million and the book was backordered for weeks. Basford’s other book, ​“Enchanted Forests,” is equally popular and ​“Lost Ocean,” due out in October is receiving a lot of pre-publication publicity.

Dover Publications has a lengthy list of books, and a couple of websites offer free pages to download.

People are attracted to coloring for its calming, stress-relieving affects. Mandalas, intricately drawn designs, nature scenes, animals are all popular. Increasingly, there are meet-ups where people simply get together to chat and color. In a world where we’re always connected to our screens, it’s a way to connect with art and each other.

How I got started

About 10 years ago I was on the massage table. My masseuse, who had become a good friend, started talking about coloring. I was totally taken and when she gave me a book and some markers, I was hooked.

As much as I enjoyed art, I was one of those kids in art class who had trouble reproducing the simple forms presented by the teacher. I did the paint-by-number kits, but I never was able to draw or paint from scratch. I discovered that coloring fulfilled my artistic side.

Many have said they were closet colorers, and I was one of them. At night when things quieted down I pulled out my books and markers – I had found a couple of additional books and discovered the brilliance of Sharpie markers.

I completed a book of mandalas by Susanne Fincher and started another.

There were books titled ​“ArchiScapes,” ​“Enviroscapes,” and ​“OptiDesigns,” which I filled with bright colors.

My friend and I led a couple of sessions on coloring with enthusiastic participants.

But then she moved away and I got busy with other things; I can’t say that I lost interest, but I just didn’t make the time. My basket of markers languished on the sofa and I finally moved it back to my office.

About six months ago, I read an article on the growing popularity of adult coloring. I downloaded some online coloring pages and broke out my basket of markers. I read additional articles – in the likes of the New York Times, The New Yorker, and Parade – and realized I had been ahead of my time.

However, I saw that the books had changed. They have become infinitely more detailed and spanned so many different subjects. And I became enthralled once again.

I took the plunge (damn, Amazon Prime) and ordered several new books, including the much in demand Secret Gardens, ​“Color Me Calm,” some Staedler fine-point pens, a couple of packages of ultra-fine markers, perfect for the more complicated designs that I now love. In fact, one of my favorite books is ​“It’s Complicated” by Kimberly Garvey. The book is filled with wonderfully whimsical designs that beg for pops of brilliant color.

Another favorite is ​“Creative Havens Creative Cats,” chock full of equally whimsical, sweet-faced cats in themed settings.

Thus far I’ve confined myself to a couple of the books. I guess you might say I’m hoarding the others, along with a beautiful set of colored pencils I bought at rock bottom price. There are only so many hours in the day.

Much of the current enthusiasm has been fueled by social media. World Coloring Day was celebrated Aug. 2, championed by the ​“Coloring for All,” a Facebook group with close to 7,500 members. In addition to publishing their artwork, members share tips for the mediums they use and prefer; there are reviews of new books (yes, there is a ​“Coloring for Adults for Dummies”) and samples to download. Many are talented artists in themselves and have produced well-done books. However, many are beginners, who are amazed at the sheer number of people who share their interest.

We’re a stressed-out society. We spend so much time staring at our computers, caught up in our daily tasks. Coloring frees us from the blue screen and takes us to a many-hued world of design.

Join me on Sept. 16 at Branford High School for ​“Color Your Stress Away.” The class runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It’s part of the fall ERACE adult-ed programming. For more information, click here

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