Color Me Calm

When many people think of “coloring,” images of a toddler’s fist haphazardly dragging a crayon over paper might come to mind. But many adults are realizing this artistic activity can have benefits for them, as well. Bookstores and libraries have recently been stocking their shelves with adult coloring books. The design options are limitless — from animals and flowers to geometric patterns and mandalas — and they are more intricate than those intended for children.

Sandy Mayer, a librarian at Southwest Branch Library, thinks the trend started in France, when art stores and booksellers started offering adult coloring books that turned out to be even more popular than children’s coloring books.

She and a few other Orange County librarians have collaborated to offer coloring hours for adults at a number of branches in recent months.

During coloring hours at Southwest Branch, Mayer puts on soothing music and serves tea to foster a calming atmosphere. Many participants say that they have started coloring because it can be so relaxing and it allows them to get creative even if they do not have much artistic experience.

“You don’t have to think about anything for an hour,” said Lorie Robertson, who has attended a few of the programs at Southwest Branch. “No judging — just coloring.”

Other participants say they enjoy the social aspect of coloring at the library. Amidst the discussion of books, pets and recent happenings, the artists tend to encourage and compliment one another’s artwork, as well.

“It’s a nice, relaxing get-together,” Robertson’s friend and neighbor, Martha Faeger, said. “It’s the conversation flowing around, as well as the actual coloring and concentrating.”

Sarah Milam, a licensed art therapist who has an office in Ocoee, has noticed the adult coloring trend and agrees that it can be relaxing. Sometimes, she encourages her adult clients to use coloring books as a tool for meditation and concentration or to help them cope with stressful circumstances.

But Milam said coloring might not be helpful for everyone. If someone is already a perfectionist, working on intricate pages could actually cause more anxiety.

“I can see how it can be relaxing and helpful, and in that way, it is art as therapy,” she said. “The only way it wouldn’t be is if you’re going to get real anxious or real tense while you’re doing it because you’re so worried about staying inside the lines or really overanalyzing everything.”

Contact Catherine Sinclair at [email protected].

COLOR LIKE THE PROS

• Keep things light. To minimize stress on the wrist and fingers, don’t press too hard.

• Stay sharp. Colored pencils are nice because they allow for shading, but keep them sharpened to get into tight spaces in intricate designs.

• Ink it in. If you prefer to use pens, try some that are not alcohol-based, because they tend to bleed. Ask for help at an art store to find the best pens for coloring.

• Think outside the lines. There are no rules, so use what you like most, whether that’s glitter glue, Sharpies, charcoal, paint or any other medium.

CARE TO COLOR?

West Orange-area libraries will host two more classes this month. Coloring supplies and pages will be provided. Programs are free.

• 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at West Oaks Branch, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee

• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando