by Jim Marcotte
As I write this, ten of the top fifty books on Amazon’s Best Seller list are adult coloring books. Six of those are in the top twenty-five, including the book at number one. Numero Uno. Their bestselling book, selling millions of copies. Even though there has been a fair amount of media coverage about adult coloring of late, for many people this is still a bit of a head-shaker. Coloring books? For grown-ups?
Absolutely. And they are trending up with a vengeance.
Adult coloring is not exactly new. It has been around for years as a therapy tool, mostly used as a means to reduce stress and anxiety. There was also a small group of dedicated “coloristas” who enjoyed coloring as a hobby, but that group is no longer small by any measure. So what happened?
A few years back a Scottish artist named Johanna Basford pitched an adult coloring book to her publisher. Though skeptical, they decided to publish a first run of thirteen thousand books – a pretty big commitment – and promptly sold them all. Now, several million books later, Basford is credited with kickstarting a trend that shows no signs of peaking.
So what is it about coloring? There are a number of reasons it is so popular:
- You do not need to be a skilled artist to create a beautiful design. Here at The Coloring Café we have coined the term “guided creativity” to explain it. Because you are not starting from a blank sheet, coloring becomes a calming, non-threatening method of expressing creativity. All you need is a book, some colored pencils or markers, and you are on your way.
- It’s simple, basic therapy. Fans of coloring report that it helps quiet the mind and at the same time increases their focus. It’s a great way to disconnect for a bit, to leave the frantic pace of our digital world behind and mindfully create something beautiful. It’s meditation without the mantra or cramped legs.
- Coloring is a versatile pastime. It can be a quiet calming moment, perhaps unwinding after the kids are in bed, or it can be a social event complete with wine, snacks and laughter (just don’t spill on your newly created masterpiece!). We have supplied coloring get-togethers, birthday parties and wedding showers with coloring book and pencil kits, and the participants have raved about how much fun it was.
- Coloring is portable. You can tuck a book and pencils into a purse, tote or briefcase and use them to pass the time anywhere. Long waits at the doctor’s office, in the car to pick up the kids, passing time in a hospital room—virtually any spot can be a coloring refuge.
- Coloring can be social. There are Facebook groups with thousands of members, Pinterest and Instagram pics galore, groups springing up in cities large and small. Even the “anti-social media” social media site Reddit has some coloring subs. You can share your creativity on these sites or just hang out and be inspired by others, because with coloring there are no rules!
- Coloring is a versatile pastime. It can be a quiet calming moment, perhaps unwinding after the kids are in bed, or it can be a social event complete with wine, snacks and laughter (just don’t spill on your newly created masterpiece!). We have supplied coloring get-togethers, birthday parties and wedding showers with coloring book and pencil kits, and the participants have raved about how much fun it was.
For all these reasons and more, I think coloring will be much more than a fad, in fact I believe it will remain popular for a long time to come. So jump in, shed that stress and make something beautiful!
Jim Marcotte is a writer and business consultant. He and his wife, artist Ronnie Walter, are the founders of The Coloring Cafe®.