When you were a child did you enjoy receiving a new colouring in book and felt tip pens?
Rachel and I prized them and 'colouring in' was a much loved pastime; the more intricate the better. Last year I noticed some fab, colouring books for adults and toyed with the idea of buying them for friends. I declined, thinking that they would not be appreciated but I think I was wrong, very wrong because the best sellers on Amazon at the moment are colouring in books for adults, probably the very ones that picked up then reluctantly put down again.
Scottish illustrator Johanna Basford is topping the charts both here and across the water with her colouring books.
Basford’s titles Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest are in second and eighth place and other colouring titles take the 4th, 7th and 9th positions; that’s half of Amazon.co.uk’s top 10 taken up by colouring books for adults. “I think it is really relaxing, to do something analogue, to unplug,” said Basford. “And it’s creative." I think the same about stencilling, to me it is colouring in on a much grander scale.
Stencils JA133.JA134 and JA45 Mokko.
My paints have replaced the felt pens but the outcome is similar, the design has been provided and the interpretation of the design is determined by the user. If I am working on my own projects rather than one for a client I find the act of decorating with stencils to be meditative and enjoyable because I can take my time and let my mind wander.
Stencils CH1 to CH4 Chinoiserie panels.
I may enjoy a radio play or my favourite music, a few hours later I have 'coloured in' a wall, floor or maybe a piece of furniture or fabric.
Stencil JA59 Asters.
'The Mindfulness Colouring Book' suggests that you “take a few minutes out of your day, wherever you are, and colour your way to peace and calm"
I could agree with that.....where's my stencil brush....
Helen
Top 2 images from Johanna Basford all others are my own.
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