The book titled Now I've Seen Everything has thousands and thousands and thousands of pages. It has been in bookstores since the beginning of time. Everybody's copy has a few different entries depending on your experiences, but if you turn to page 772 in mine, you'll probably find this interesting entry. "Colorama Books". If you have ever been wandering through TV channels at about 2 AM, you might have come across a commercial for adult coloring books. That's right, adult coloring books. And no, it's NOT that kind of coloring book. For your investment of about $25, you get a book of 45 'wonderful detailed patterns' to color. Of course, that doesn't cover your special colored pencils, crayons or pens. The complexity goes from beginner to the expert level. I'm not kidding here. The books are advertised as offering hours of stress relief and creative fun. You can color cat pictures, mandalas, garden scenes, spaceships, and even fruit. I'm not kidding here. The thematic books take you back to that act that we all loved as children. Coloring. Santa always brought us a new one in our stocking hung by the chimney each December 25th. My, I did love that waxy smell of new crayons, but I digress. Now, when you complete your 'artistic endeavor' you can give it as a gift to a friend or better still, you can frame it and hang it about your home. I'm not kidding here. Here's my suggestion: If you need to relieve some pressure, some tension in your everyday living, might I suggest forget grabbing your Crayolas and just find a bench in the warm sun or pop in some nice soothing music depending on your tastes and kick back.
It works for me.
It'll work for you too.
And save you a little cash.
I don't know if it will rid insomnia though.
Besides, I color outside the lines anyway.
Ahh ... you colour ouside the lines. A hanging offence.
ReplyDeleteMe? I colour multi-directional. Another HO.
Oh, to be one of those who leave no trace of individual strokes. I suspect only 9-year-old girls can achieve this level o expertise.
Amazing what some people will buy!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that there's at least of 60& chance of a downpour here today. As for Crayolas--the colors I most needed and wanted were always missing. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have never thought about this, but I play with Photoshop quite often..
ReplyDeleteYou've hit on it VP. Photoshop is our new coloring book!
DeleteHere is what I found on google—"Why are grownups buying up a genre generally targeted at younger children? The answer seems to be that coloring between the lines can be a therapeutic exercise." Birdman, these books are not for you if you color outside the lines, no kidding!
ReplyDeleteI'll pass, but I'm glad you've found something to do that comforts your mind in your old age! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
ReplyDeleteHi Birdman, That actually sounds pretty cool. I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteI never did colour in the lines Birdman :) I'll sit in that bench with you and enjoy the sun! Tres joli image for your story today.
ReplyDeleteI never did colour in the lines Birdman :) I'll sit in that bench with you and enjoy the sun! Tres joli image for your story today.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm coloring outside the lines when I say I'm fascinated. I actually thoroughly enjoyed coloring well into my 30s when those big poster-sized things came in a tube. I did one of butterflies and another of hot air balloons. I had no idea these books were available. I may just try one.
ReplyDeleteare you sure you're not kidding here? ;) i could get into a coloring book like that.
ReplyDeleteThe things I learn from blogging are so much fun. I had never heard of this before. And, not that I don't believe you but, I had to Google it to see for myself. How interesting. I wonder if I could do that without messing it up. I was never very good at it as a kid.
ReplyDeleteWe were just talking about them yesterday as I've been seeing a lot of them in bookstores lately. Different crayon strokes for different folks, I say. Not my thing, perhaps, but I think they're great, a form of relaxing that is not electronic. For us kinesthetically inclined folks, sitting on a bench is even better when sketching or doing some sort of creative activity with our hands.
ReplyDeletei LOVED to color as a kid, and new crayons were the bomb diggity!
ReplyDeleteI was never big on coloring. But I do like your shot today. Love the way the water makes everything blurry.
ReplyDeleteHoly Smokes! On the site to get the book and supplies, there's a gal who says, "For the first time I feel like an artist." Yikes! WHAT is this world coming to? An artist?????
DeleteColouring books are all the rage here but not my thing. I am longingly looking at that rain though. We are still roasting here...
ReplyDeleteThey say there is one born every minute! This sounds so strange - artists!!!
ReplyDeleteNow this I have heard of. There was a feature on it in a newspaper here some weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteTerrific shot!
I never bought a colorama book but I have bought adult coloring books that had interesting patterns and I loved coloring but I do other things now.
ReplyDeleteWe are having Summer rain everyday so far this week.
ReplyDeleteI take your suggestion for stress busting!!
ReplyDeleteAn alternative is rubber stamps of all shapes and sizes...color between, around, or outside the lines. It's an addiction but most addicts I know wouldn't call themselves artists. And there's a heck of a lot more you can do with your work than cut it out and frame it...greeting cards, scrap books, other paper crafts.
ReplyDelete