Fun – Page 4 – Late Blooms

Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air — explode softly — and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth — boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn’t go cheap, either — not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination. ~Robert Fulghum

Have you been to a bookstore lately? I was at Chapters/Indigo a few weeks ago and was delighted to see all the beautiful colouring books for adults. I was thrilled at the thought that I finally had public permission to let my inner child out. There were titles there like Mandala Magic, Blossom Magic, Eastern Magic, Winter Magic, and a wholesome array of other titles. There was something to suit everyone’s taste – from conservative themes to those wanting something more eclectic.

In an interesting Guardian article entitled “Adult colouring-in books: the latest weapon against stress and anxiety” by Zoe Williams, the following information is given: “Five of Amazon’s top 10 last week were adult colouring-in books, as were six of Brazil’s top 10 non-fiction list. Last year in France, the combined colouring-in industry sold 3.5m books.” I’m glad that I joined the band-wagon. As you can see from the above two collages, I chose Magic Garden. My first colouring activity was the page with the sunflowers. I used pencil crayons, markers, and pastels. It was fun and did ward off any stress and anxiety I was experiencing at the time. My sunflowers made me happy.

Why do two colors, put one next to the other, sing? Can one really explain this? No. ~Pablo Picasso

Colouring is good therapy. Carl Jung was one of the first psychologists to use colouring with his patients to help them to relax. He used mandalas for this work and I read that he himself used to colour every morning. Antoni Martinez, a psychologist, had this to say in an article from the Huffington Post: “We can use it to enter into a more creative, freer state,” he assures. We can also use it to connect with how we feel, since depending on our mood we choose different colors or intensity. “I myself have practiced that. I recommend it in a quiet environment, even with chill music. Let the color and the lines flow.” I did experience that free-flowing feeling, especially in relation to my choice of colours and their intensity.

What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue. Henri Matisse — What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.
Henri Matisse

I chose the page with leaves next because of all the beautiful Fall colours in view at this time of year. I used lots of orange, brown, and yellow, as well as red, to portray this season’s colours. When I leafed through my colouring book, I consciously chose these pages. They seemed to be what my soul and spirit were calling me to. These are the only two I’ve had fun doing so far and am sharing with you in this post.

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite - only a sense of existence. Well, anything for variety. I am ready to try this for the next ten thousand years, and exhaust it. How sweet to think of! My extremities well charred, and my intellectual part too, so that there is no danger of worm or rot for a long while. My breath is sweet to me. O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.” - Henry David Thoreau — “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite – only a sense of existence. Well, anything for variety. I am ready to try this for the next ten thousand years, and exhaust it. How sweet to think of! My extremities well charred, and my intellectual part too, so that there is no danger of worm or rot for a long while. My breath is sweet to me. O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.” – Henry David Thoreau

Since it’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, I thought to add some Thanksgiving words to my last collage above and to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Among all my other blessings, I’m happy to add my new colouring book. Are you inspired to get on the bandwagon too for some colouring-in fun?

Category: Fun

Colouring-in Fun