Outside the Lines: Coloring Books for Grown-Ups Are Kind of Awesome
(Source: https://multiplet4.rssing.com/chan-3323455/all_p7.html)
Completely absurd, hipster chic, or actual art therapy, adult coloring books are now a thing. And leave it to French women to popularize such a trend. “France now leads the world in sales of these books after its publishers, in a stroke of genius, put the words “anti-stress” or “art therapy” in large letters on their covers” says England’s Telegraph. Apparently these books are now even outselling one of France’s most revered books: the cookbook. Sacre bleu!
Not only has the trend covered France but also Spain and the UK, and even as far flung as Korea where a top-selling book features super-detailed fantasy flower themes that too claim therapeutic benefits. Psychologist Gloria Martinez Ayala via the Huffington Post claims that coloring can have a very basic means of calming us. “In simplest terms, coloring has a de-stressing effect because when we focus on a particular activity, we focus on it and not on our worries.” It “brings out our imagination and takes us back to our childhood, a period in which we most certainly had a lot less stress.”
Is it time to swap Prozac for pencils and Celexa for crayons? Whether you’re looking for a laugh or a life of inner calm, take a peek at some of these coloring books, sharpen those pencils, have some fun and find your inner (hipster) child. And just one more thing: don’t forget to stay in the lines!
(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/ilovemelpins/)
Girl crushing? Choose your favorite famous femme to color in. Beyoncé float your boat? Feel like having a blonde (or Blondie) moment with Debbie Harry?
(Source: https://www.nickdrinks.com/gift-idea-drunk-coloring/)
Who knew drunk coloring was a thing?
(Source: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/494572698/99-ways-to-die-a-coloring-book-for-adults)
This coloring book sprung to life via a Kickstarter campaign. At $20 a pop, the project was completed in 2014 and received nearly $9,000 in funding.
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(Sources: https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/theo-nicole-lorenz, https://forum.verysrs.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=33060)
“This coloring book features eighteen examples of unicorns texting in theaters, farting in elevators, eating your leftovers, and generally acting like jerks.”
Color Me Good James Franco Coloring Book
(Source: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83ttHgdM4SI/VDpC1boGbuI/AAAAAAAAKuw/ZqLMVJcnMYQ/s1600/CMG.jpg)
Even James Franco’s selfies are a feature of a coloring book. Color Me Good features “James in various guises (including snuggled up in bed doing #bedselfies).”
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100 Coloriages Mystères: Art-thérapie
(Source: https://art-therapie100.skyrock.com/3217324093-Coloriage-mystere-N-4.html)
On the opposite side of the spectrum, the French have elevated (as they do) their coloring books to another level. The French claim, “Because you’re subject to the frenetic rhythm of every day life, you get the impression that you can’t find your focus or your inner calm. It’s time to give you personal expression spaces…you’ll relax and be surprised by your achievements.”
(Source: https://www.i-am-bored.com)
Inevitably Tumblrs and Facebook pages are popping up to share finished fan art as well as to discuss the latest on trend coloring books for adults.
Every week, Coloring for Grown-Ups posts adult-themed coloring book pages that can be returned to the site and entered into contests. Check out their Facebook page with similar content. And of course, they’ve continued their success with their own app for iPhone or iPad.
I purchased two coloring books for myself to see if I could find my inner child (and inner peace?). While it was nice to tune out the everyday distractions (obsessively checking my e-mail, constant stream of texts, and background blabber of the TV), coloring also became insanely frustrating. Perhaps as an adult, I’ve lost the free abandon of my carefree youth? Regardless, I enjoyed it and who knows, I might continue. But, I haven’t hung my latest artwork on the fridge just yet.
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