I grew up in a house of art. My art-turned-theology major dad hung on to his art books long after his classes, several of which were kept out in the open for us to look through. I remember flipping through the heavy art book that was displayed on our coffee table, enough times to recognize Monet and Rembrandt and find my favorite paintings in the book–Degas’ ballerinas. More important than recognizing art though was living it. My parents found ways to weave art-making into everything they did, and now that I’m a parent who loves art, I realize how important their art was during those days. It was Sanity! Peace! A moment to collect their thoughts, make something beautiful without kids coming behind them and messing it up! It was meditation in the form of paint and thread and piano keys.
At my dad’s retirement party last week, several of his co-workers talked about how he brought art to his job–painting posters for hospital events, drawing funny comics for patients and designing logos for awareness campaigns in between visiting families and saying prayers with hurting patients. And I think those two jobs fit perfectly together. Drawing and doodling and putting color to a page is like therapy, creating windows of effortless expression when we need them most.
In case you were curious, here some other “need them most” moments:
* When the house is a mess and you don’t know where to start.
* Anything that involves Witching Hour.
* When the kids are all crying to eat, and the only thing you can find in your pantry is flour, hot sauce and a bottle of something that looks like corn syrup.
* When school’s out and everyone’s complaining that they’re bored.
* When someone’s sock seam doesn’t line up correctly with their toes, hence: the end of the world.
* When you cut your bangs yourself, and you realize they’re way too short.
* When you get pulled over for speeding and the whole Look-there-are-kids-in-the-car-and-I’m-a-cute-little-mom-just-trying-to-make-it-through-the-day schtick doesn’t get you out of a ticket.
I could go on. Needless to say, there are many opportunities for drawing and doodling and putting color to pages, which is why whenever I color with my kids, they end up running off to find something else to do, and I’m left shading highlights into Barbie’s hair with four different shades of yellow like it’s my job.
Enter adult coloring books, a huge trend right now. Did you know 8 of the 20 top-selling books on Amazon are adult coloring books? A fact that makes me very happy. I get this completely. Coloring’s my favorite.
I get excited talking about art supplies like I get excited talking about baby clothes and music and candles and Christmassy things.
This coloring book and Prismacolor Premier® colored pencils (deliciously vibrant, by the way–with soft, smooth leads) are sticking with me this holiday season. What’s that? Clean up the wrapping paper? Hang on, I’m coloring.
And if you’re hosting family or having a holiday party in the next few weeks and need a little extra entertainment, leave some of these coloring pages out and some blank paper, pile up some Prismacolor colored pencils and illustration markers, and spark some creativity.
Can we pause for a moment and talk about this 80’s page in the coloring book? IT HAS POPPLES! I repeat, POPPLES! Ten points to the 80’s kids who remember them.
Adult stocking stuffers can be hard. Just sayin’, I’d be thrilled if Santa filled mine with Prismacolor art supplies. You can also find Prismacolor on Amazon.
I used my illustration markers and colored pencils to make a holiday print for my office last night (quote from the book of “You’ve Got Mail” in the holiday bible–chapter 4, verse 1).
Thanks Prismacolor, for making our art a little more vibrant and for sponsoring this post.
![Prismacolor](http://<a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/user/kascryder/media/2015%20Christmas/print%208_zpsgcjnkda4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/2015%20Christmas/print%208_zpsgcjnkda4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo print 8_zpsgcjnkda4.jpg"/></a>){kind=link}
First of all, I straight up need a popples coloring book.
Secondly, we’ve had so much fun sitting around the table as a family and coloring together. All 5 of us… and the baby drooling on the paper… just chatting away and coloring. It’s wonderful.
I love to color!!!!!
This is so fun and vibrant. I agree–there’s never a time that doesn’t call for at LEAST some doodles if not full on coloring book-ing. 🙂
I bought my 47-year-old daughter a coloring book and colored pencils for Christmas. Must say I’d like some of my own.
I love art supplies too!! My oldest daughter is 12 this year and I got excited when she asked for a “naked pallet” for Christmas. I thought it was new art supplies I didn’t know about. Learned at Michaels that I should be shopping at Ultra Beauty. Comprised a cool coloring book and very little make up!!!
Remember them? I still have my popple! I let my kids play with it!!! 😀
I know this isn’t appropriate, but whenever I hear the phrase “adult coloring book” I think it’s going to be nudie pictures, hahaha!
You’re such a good color-er! I remember coloring Christmas coloring books with you when we were kids and I was super impressed by your shading skills!
I always think the same thing 🙂
I have recently discovered adult colouring books. It took a bit for me to get used to using coloured pencils within lines rather than my teenage go-to of crayons, but I’ve been enjoying them a lot. Especially the mandala designs.
Popples, on the other hand, are super exciting and I had that purple one you coloured in.
I don’t think I’ve ever commented before, but I love your blog- thanks!
I still have my Popples. 🙂
My kids get a new coloring book + crayons each year at Christmas. This year mom is getting one too!
I got my Mom a coloring book at Walmart. She was thrilled. Right after I got it I started seeing them everywhere. I am going to go look at your link right now. #ArtRocks
I’d love to know what coloring book this is!!
Are you doing the North Pole Party this year I always look forward to see your pictures and post from it?
I need a Care Bears colouring book – when I was about 8 I had one, and it was my pride and joy. I spent hours colouring in so carefully to make it look perfect. My family went away on Xmas vacation and my aunt and cousins stayed in our house. My 4 year old cousin used this book to ‘colour’ and completely destroyed it! I have never forgotten this and would love to get a new one to start again 🙂 I am very glad now that I have kids so I get to colour on occasion too.
Thanks for the art supply recommendation, I’ve added the pencils to my Amazon wish list! What coloring book are you coloring in the photos? Thanks!
OK so I just have to tell you they have Popples exclusively at Walmart! I about died when I saw them the other day, had to get one for my daughter 🙂