Friday, March 4, 2016

Adult Coloring Books - Saturday Snapshots

Ever since my granddaughter learned to hold a crayon and scribble on a piece of paper, I've joined her. So when the adult coloring book craze came on the scene, I was a prime candidate. I bought a set of fifty colored pencils, ordered two coloring books from Amazon, and indulged in my fancy. It's been such fun!



The designs that appeal to me most are mandalas. Here's what Wikipedia has to say:
"Mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल, lit, circle) is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions, representing the universe. In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any diagram, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.
The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. Each gate is in the general shape of a T.  Mandalas often exhibit radial balance."
"Creating mandalas helps stabilize, integrate, and re-order inner life."
I've since learned that mandalas can be found for free on the Internet, so I didn't have to spend money on those coloring books, but they've been worth the splurge. While I can't claim that this pastime has stabilized, integrated, or reordered my inner life, I've enjoyed the quiet time spent with my colored pencils - my only decisions focusing on choice or colors; my only thoughts, staying within the lines. I guess that disconnect from the world around me is a kind of meditation, isn't it?
The mandalas in this post are colored by me and from this publication: Adult Coloring Books - A Coloring Book for Adults Featuring Mandalas and Henna Inspired Flowers, Annimals, and Paisley Patterns.
UPDATE: I just noticed one little square that I didn't color! Embarrassing.


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12 comments:

  1. Wow - those are gorgeous! I haven't caught the coloring bug yet. In fact, I haven't even seen one. You know I'm heading over to Amazon now.

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  2. I'd heard of adult coloring books, but I hadn't seen one before. Thanks for displaying your lovely mandalas!

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  3. I received a coloring book for my birthday and have just started to color in it. I had some colored pencils, are yours special for coloring or are they a generic Crayola brand? You do lovely work, by the way.

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  4. I received a Harry Potter one for my birthday. I have not tried it yet but a friend of mine swears by them, finding them relaxing.

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  5. I think this would be a great hobby!!

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  6. My pencils are Crayola brand - nothing fancy. However, I think it would be fun to try Sharpie fine-tipped pens too. I don't color often, but it's a fun way to relax when I do.

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  7. I have been noticing this new passion for adult coloring books, and remembering how coloring, as a child, was such a peaceful activity. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to recreate something "pretty," or color between the lines (LOL), but I like the idea of how it can nourish the soul.

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  8. Those are beautiful! Glad you are enjoying your new coloring books. I haven;t hopped on the new trend yet, but I still have old coloring books from when my sons were little that I sometimes get out and color in! It's a very relaxing, zen activity, isn't it?

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Sue

    Book By Book

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  9. So beautiful! Glad you are enjoying this new hobby.

    http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/03/happy-cooking.html

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  10. Stunning! What a great creative new hobby. I can imagine that it's likely relaxing, too. Bravo!

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  11. I enjoyed coloring books growing up and then coloring with my kids. But, then I got myself an "adult" coloring book and it just stressed me out! Sigh...I guess that's one hobby I'll have to pass on!

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  12. These are simply beautiful, Sandy. What I recently learned about these designs is this: Social workers in the medical field use these to help long-term patients keep busy, happy and healthy (sort of like healthy, uplifting therapy). I learned this due to my sister being in the hospital for weeks waiting on a heart transplant.
    I never researched the title, so thank you for educating us.

    Also, my daughter has been drawing these in her art notebook. They are simply beautiful. Perhaps I'll share soon. My daughter's are drawn in black and white. If I'm not mistaken she uses an ink pen as the medium, but I could be mistaken as I am not an artist.

    At any rate, I live these and now I have a title for them, thanks to you. I'll quiz my daughter later. Perhaps she knows already.

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