http://mentalfloss.com/article/81929/making-art-can-relieve-stress-any-skill-level
That explains it.
I have become addicted to adult coloring books. (Hmmm....sounds rather racy; maybe I should say coloring books for adults?)
I've never considered myself to be a creative visual artist. I've taken some photographs I like and feel they are artfully composed, but I can't draw, paint, or sculpt "freehand" with any degree of confidence or artistry. I like simple collage because I feel it is a forgiving medium -- until I see those collage artists who do it so masterfully and I realize my attempts are elementary and amateurish.
And then along came the adult coloring book phenomenon. (Yes, I said it again, but you know what I mean.) Someone else came up with the designs and all I gotta do is find the type of coloring utensil I like best and go to it! I've settled on brush tip watercolor pens. Oh, how the color glides over the paper! So satisfying! I have no patience for the fine tips, so my colors often overlap the lines, but who cares? I also often do it in the low light conditions of a small lamp while watching TV and the next morning I'm amazed at the amount of white still showing through some areas of my painting, but again, who cares?
I fully and completely realize I am NOT doing this coloring so much to create art as to relax and de-stress. The minute I haul out my book and dump out my pens, my heart rate slows, my breathing is deeper, and I can watch the nightly talking heads on MSNBC and CNN without quaking (too much).
I don't plan anything ahead of time, choosing the colors as I go, making intuitive choices about what color goes where and never really knowing what the final result will be. I find I am mostly satisfied and wonder what sub-conscious part of my brain is thinking for me. It's definitely a totally "right brain" endeavor and I'm liking making friends with that part of me. I'm learning to trust her choices.
So, here's a little gallery of my work. Don't look too closely...oh, hell, who cares? No apologies! I'm having fun and de-stressing. We all gotta do something to stay sane as the daily craziness from Washington DC engulfs our "left brain" which mostly has taken to repeating, "WTF is going on here? I can't believe what I'm seeing and hearing. I don't get it. It makes no sense." Poor little left brain, always trying to make sense of things. Just grab a marker and let it flow...
At least, that's the view from here...©
Your coloring looks great!Shows you have an excellent color sense. I've tried it but I'm not hooked on it, I like zentangle better but both coloring and zentangle fulfill the same purpose....stress reduction. Though I have to say if someone had told me 10 years ago that there would be adult coloring books I never would have believed it or how popular they've become.
ReplyDeleteI've done Zentangle too. I like it, but prefer that someone else has already drawn the design for me. Lazy artist that I am! Are you still painting?
DeleteDonna I think you have a beautiful sense of color. It is present in your coloring book and in your house..lovely. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIndeed you have talent! I cannot keep in the lines....but that fits in well with the abilities of my 5 year old granddaughter! Her mother (who has a doctorate in biology) is also artistic but really likes coloring in these books. If it soothes your mind, then do it!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I do find it so very relaxing....I think that's what the craze has tapped into so long as you don't take it all too seriously and try to create masterpieces.
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