Coloring Book {ART}

When I was a kid, if I wasn't reading a book, I was coloring in one. I even brought coloring books with me to college! Now, as a mom of two kiddos, the only coloring books I've colored in are theirs. I've always been a bit of a "coloring book snob,"  preferring the ones with crisp, white pages.  They weren't always easy to come by, especially in themes I'd be interested in as an adult...until recently! Adult coloring books are the newest craze! The choices are incredible- anything you can imagine: mandalas, doodles, folk art, circus, cute to realistic, etc. Better yet, the majority are crisp, white pages. Irresistible. And let me tell you, these things are everywhere! My favorite places to find them locally (Rochester, mn) are Tangerine Gift store, downtown in the peace plaza and The ABC Toy Zone, in the miracle mile shopping center. Of course, they can also be found at your local big-box craft and book stores.

One of the reasons adult coloring coloring books are so popular is because it meditative; you can get lost in it like a good book. Your heart rate calms, your breathing evens, your head clears...can you imagine?! Sold yet?! Well, the second reason coloring is popular is it's cheap! You can easily start this hobby for less than $15. You don't need fancy, expensive crayons or pencils, good ol' Crayola works great! The most important thing is to choose a coloring book that will keep your interest through 30 or so pages. If you don't like the design, you won't enjoy coloring it. I think it's important to take some time to really look through the choices of coloring books, to find one that speaks to you. Is the paper a texture you like? What about the size and how it opens up? Can you picture yourself coloring in this book? Do you LOVE it?!

I really took a lot of time finding my coloring books. I may not be investing a lot of money into these, but I am investing my time coloring them- so they need to be 'just right'. Like, "I can't leave this store without this coloring book in my hands 'just right'."  Also, I had treated myself to Derwent colored pencils this past Christmas and I've never once used them!  (I wouldn't want to insult my quality pencils by choosing something second rate, right?!) The first book I chose is chock-full of folk art designs, surprise, surprise! Actually, the surprise for me was that the artist of this coloring book, Lisa Congdon, is an artist whose art I have admired for some time.  I didn't realize that until I got home, it was the cherry on top! 

 

Coloring the first page in a brand new coloring book, with brand new colored pencils was a little intimidating. I reminded myself not to over-think things- to JUST START. The is my advice to you: JUST START!  If you are thinking, then you're mind isn't free. It's amazing how something so simple can bring a sense of peace to your day.

Feeling peaceful means I've cleared all the clutter in my head, I've  moved aside the worry. And guess what? Now I have room something even more important: gratitude. I've stepped back from the chaos and now I can feel grateful for all of the things that brought the chaos in the first place. But now it doesn't feel like chaos- it feels like life; a life that I love. Yep, all that from a coloring book.

Life is Sweet {BackyardART CLASS}

I am so excited to announce my next BackyardART class: Life Is Sweet! It's a bakery themed mixed media project I've designed for girls ages 8 and up. In this 4-hour class, we will make 10 pages of art using scrapbook paper, vintage sheet music, scissors, glue sticks, white paint pens and doodle markers. 

We will design cakes, cupcakes, ice cream and quotes using a mouth-watering color palette of soft pink, Kraft, teal, black white and grey.  Each child will sketch and cut out their own designs from patterned paper and then glue the pieces onto a piece of 6"x9" Kraft card stock, using a technique called paper-piecing. 

Your child will also make four cupcake cards along with two adorable pocket-pages to store them in!

After gluing our designs, we will add details using a white paint pen and a black, fine point doodle pen.

Finally, we will bind all of our pages into its very own book, using binder rings. We'll add some "sprinkles and a cherry on top" with ribbon and lace that we'll tie to the rings.

I just know the girls will be so proud of their creations! Everything they learn in class can easily be done at home. In order to encourage them to create, I will send them home with their glue stick and doodle marker! 

What: "Life Is Sweet" BackyardART class with Amber Engelhardt

Who: Girls, ages 8 and up

When: Sunday, August 9, 2015. 1-5pm

Where: my house:Rochester, MN

Cost: $50

Includes:

4 hour instruction

All supplies needed

10 pages of art, including 4 cards with enveloped and two pocket pages, all bound together.

Sweet treat and bubbly punch 

Take home gluestick and doodle marker

Please pre-register by August 1, 2015.

You may pay at drop off for the class.

To register, please leave a comment below with your daughter's name and age and your email and I'll contact you. Or email me at amberengel@msn.com.

I can't tell you how excited I am- and so is my 8 year old, Ella. This is sure to an awesome art party! Hope you can join us!