Coloring, Playing and All That Other Fun Stuff

In my career exploration workshops, I ask participants to revisit the basic building blocks of being human: play. 

They love every minute of it! 

And why wouldn't they? 

They're getting permission to bring the kid buried inside them out to play, and that's never a bad idea. 

Rekindling our youthful spirit is a fantastic way to de-stress and remind ourselves of what fun looks and feels like. 

So it doesn't surprise me in the least that there's a resurgence of creative outlets specifically for adults. One of the most interesting is the coloring craze. Fanciful coloring books for grown-ups, like Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book, created by the amazing artist/illustrator, Johanna Basford are selling like hotcakes.

You'll see what all the fuss is about when you read exerts from Ms. Basford's delightful artist's statement: 

"I'm an illustrator and ink evangelist who prefers pens and pencils to pixels.

I create intricate, hand drawn illustrations predominantly..."

She had me at "ink evangelist!"

"My creativity is cultivated by a curious imagination and a delight in the fantastic. Much of my work has roots in the flora and fauna that surrounded me growing up on my parent's fish farm in rural Scotland."

I'm booking my ticket to Scotland pronto.

"Every piece I create starts life as a simple pencil sketch, evolving into a rambling pen and ink drawing usually spanning several sheets of paper. I love the tactile nature of the materials I use and the joy of smudgy fingerprints. My delicate hand inked designs intend to charm and delight, inviting you to peer closer and discover the hidden intricacies."

Who doesn't love smudgy fingerprints? I find them quite charming! (Well, maybe not on my stainless steel appliances.)


Thanks to artists like Basford, the therapeutic benefits of art and coloring are no longer restricted to art therapy programs.

Take this this book, aptly titled Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Patterns. What a great way to take a break from a stressful day at work!

And apps like colorfy and paper, one of my favorites for iPad, make flexing dormant creative muscles super easy and fun.

As for me, I've set a creative goal for this week: to do an exercise from this gorgeous graphic design book by Chip Kidd.

I spotted it at the library last week and couldn't wait to crack it open. I'm giddy just thinking about it!

Whatever you choose to get your creative juices running or your mind blissfully serene, just do it. You won't regret it, I promise. 

Pinky swear.