Growing up I remember coloring with my mother. I loved it so and would spend hours at it. I have noticed the new trend for “adult coloring books” and how it has been said they promote calmness. I read somewhere that literally just by smelling crayons one can reduce stress. I believe it. For me it’s a scent that takes me back to my childhood; a time when things were slower, softer, kinder, easier. I remember whenever I was sick I got a new coloring book! And I had the big deluxe box of 64 Crayolas with the sharpener in the back. Of course I loved coloring the animals especially. For some reason though I always colored the cats green. I did it every time in every coloring book. I have always wondered if someone did some type of psychological assessment on me what it might mean. My friend is an art therapist and I am curious as to what she would think about my little one’s coloring. The thing I find so fascinating about it is that she doesn’t color a whole part with one shade; every piece has at least five colors to it. I have never thought to do that in my life and she has given me an entire new way of thinking about how to color. I love it and personally I think it’s very creative (says her mother, I know). She colors with bold strokes and in different directions. I always stayed in the lines, stuck with one color for each part, and colored all going the same way. I am truly delighted every time she shows me something she has done. American artist Georgia O’Keeffe once said:
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.”
I have never had a talent for drawing but my daughter has inspired me to color again. Her efforts have encouraged me to live a little, take more chances, be bolder; to slow down and enjoy the quietness of time more, to stray outside the lines, that it’s OK to change directions, and to use all of the colors in the box. My little one has definitely made my life more colorful. And I am so thankful. Later on I think I shall join her; keep calm and color on.
Her coloring style is a sign that she has not been corrupted by the dreaded “rules”! Make sure and offer lots of blank paper as well as the coloring books so that she can make her own lines and not get used to coloring inside other people’s lines. Hugs to you both! We need a dinner date soon… Or any excuse to have a mambo taxi!
Thank you! An excellent suggestion. You have given me something else to think about … none of our little family of three really colors with the lines of life. I like that. And yes, let’s get taxis soon.