Relax, Renew, Revisit Childhood
by Bradley K. Harris
It started out as the British Invasion, spread across the Channel to become the French Revolution, and has experienced epidemic growth in the United States. Fortunately this does not refer to war, or the 60’s musical style of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. We are talking about coloring books here….coloring books for Adults. That’s right – Adults.
When Scottish artist Johanna Basford released her amazing coloring book for adults in 2011 “Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book” (Laurence King Publishing), who would have believed it would sell close to six million copies worldwide and become a global best-seller? And when French publisher Hachette Pratique released “Art-thérapie: 100 coloriages anti-stress” in 2012, could they have envisioned their adult coloring book would sell more than three and a half million copies worldwide?
With the help of Social Media, the Adult Coloring Book Craze has leaped across the ocean and onto Amazon’s Best-Seller list here in the United States. Fueling this phenomenon is the modern day adult’s need to Relax, Renew and Revisit Childhood. Baby boomers and adults of all ages find themselves today in the most fast-paced, constantly changing environment in the history of civilization. Is it any wonder that pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession in general have focused so greatly on stress and anxiety related illnesses over the past decade? And then comes along a stress reducer that is fun, low-cost and a remarkable therapy for children of all ages.
I once heard my 88 year old father, who still whips me on the tennis court say that his secret to great health and longevity is in not knowing how old he is. ‘I may grow older but I’ll never grow old’ has been his mantra for the past 30 years. He lives his mantra and in addition to solving cross-word puzzles, walking, tennis and wood-working, dad spends a lot of time drawing and coloring. A child at heart, a man that revisit’s childhood frequently and has remained forever young. Coloring isn’t just for the young in age anymore, but for those who seek to remain young in body, mind and spirit.
Phyllis Harris is the illustrator of over 35 children’s books and a lover of all things childhood. Throughout life, her place of peace and solitude was a return to childhood; a remembrance of simpler times. Joy filled days spent relaxing in a field of dandelions, riding a horse through sun-ripened fields of wild flowers and playing fetch with her best four-legged friend. Capturing the heart of childhood became her illustrative style in creating art for children’s books. Experiencing changes in children’s publishing 4 years ago, like many other artists and illustrators, Phyllis realized the need to reinvent herself and her business. Phyllis began focusing on creating wall art for Children’s Rooms and launched Phyllis Harris Designs in 2012. With a passion for illustration, and her love of childhood, Phyllis Harris Designs has experienced remarkable success. With her illustrations adorning thousands of children’s rooms across 6 continents, customers began asking Phyllis in early 2015 if she would consider publishing a collection of her illustrations into an adult coloring book. And that is how ‘the heART of Childhood’ was born. Now heading into its 3rd printing in 6 months, “the heART of Childhood: A coloring book featuring the timeless art of Phyllis Harris” has garnered international success and has exceeded any expectation the artist had early on. This is just one Midwest U.S. artist’s story; and the story of many successful artists and illustrators in the United States and Europe.
When and where will the adult coloring book craze end? The answer may just be, never. Because the need to Relax, Renew and Revisit childhood will never grow old. And like my father, millions of others have found that it’s better to grow older, but never grow old.
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Also available at Amazon in Canada and Europe!
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Dear Friends,
I have lots of fun updates to share with you all! I've been very busy in the studio to get lots of things ready for the upcoming holiday shopping that is about to begin. Since you all are my lovely newsletter followers, I wanted to let you all know about some of them first, right here and now since one of them is very timely so be sure to read to the end of this newsletter!
Let's start with the Christmas Cards I have just added to my Etsy shop. This is a bit of an experiment as I don't usually carry cards in my shops. I have a very limited number of Christmas cards(boxed sets) that I just listed this afternoon here. If these sell out, I may try to reorder some more but I will have to wait and see. At the time I wrote this newsletter, there are only 1o boxes left since some of them were already spoken for so don't delay if you want one as they may sell out quickly! I just got them from the printer and they turned out beautiful! Very heavy card stock with matching white envelopes. Here is a peek at those cards. For more details follow the link by clicking on the photos.
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Other news... A few years back, I had the great honor and privilege to illustrate the words of the late and amazing Margaret Wise Brown, the author of GOODNIGHT MOON. It is a sweet nativity story, titled ON CHRISTMAS DAY. I have decided to sell some of my first edition copies in my shop here. This is the first edition signed by the illustrator, me. This might be a fun one to add to to your family Christmas traditions.
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And now on to the adult coloring books that I now have available! Fun and unique gift options for you or your crafty friends who love to color! There are now 3 to choose from! Click on the photos below to get more details of each.
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Besides all of the new fun products I have been adding to the shop there are LOTS of art prints to choose from, too!
As always, thank you for being a part of our wonderful community. I am so grateful for each and every one of you!
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♥ Gifts that give back ♥
Be sure and follow my social media networks to keep up with all that is going on. Here are the links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhyllisHarris
Instagram: http://instagram.com/phyllisharrisdesigns
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/phyllisha/
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Blog: Phyllis Harris Illustration (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: art for children's rooms, adult color book, adult coloring books, adult coloring, adult coloring addicts, Christian coloring books, art for college students, art for kid's rooms, Add a tag
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I am so pleased with how they turned out! Here is a quick video of me showing some of the interior pages.
I am offering FREE U.S. Shipping on the second edition but be sure to use the special coupon code USShipFree at checkout. It doesn't matter if you get one book or 10 books. The shipping is still free (for those in the U.S.). So sorry international friends! I am hoping to eventually find a way to get my book overseas. But for slightly more affordable international rates go to my Etsy shop here.
Be sure to check out some tips on coloring techniques in the videos on my Facebook page here and here.
I cannot thank you all enough, my wonderful community of friends, for all of your encouragement and support through this whole coloring book project from the very beginning stages to now, my second printing!
On another note: I am now offering original watercolor paintings in my Etsy shop of this brand new illustration which is offered in both boy and girl options. I am also offering color art prints as well as sketch only prints with no color. Click on the image to read more information on each option.
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I would be honored if you shared this link to my coloring book with your friends and family who might enjoy this new fun craze of adult coloring. It is so relaxing after a stressful day.
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As always, thank you for being a part of our wonderful community. I am so grateful for each and every one of you!
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♥ Gifts that give back ♥
Be sure and follow my social media networks to keep up with all that is going on. Here are the links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhyllisHarris
Instagram: http://instagram.com/phyllisharrisdesigns
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/phyllisha/
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Blog: Phyllis Harris Illustration (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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While I was thrilled with the production and reception of my first coloring book printing, I came across an even better product through a different supplier. I am even more thrilled to announce the second edition of my coloring book!
They’re here!!!! My second edition of my adult coloring books, the heART of childhood just arrived!! I still cannot believe my first edition of books sold out in a little over a month! Truly it has been such a blessing and so unexpected. A HUGE thank you to ALL of you who have helped make that possible.
Ok, why a second edition? Because I listened to my customers and now the NEW features are:
1. Printing on one side of the paper only. Now you may color using markers or gel pens, as well as colored pencils and crayons if you choose; and they won't bleed through to the image on the opposite side. It also makes it fun if you want to take the completed piece out of the book and frame it when you are done with your marvelous creations. And now the book is twice as thick, too!
2. It is now “perfect bound” instead of saddle stitched.(aka stapled) There is a peek of what I am talking about in the photo so you can visualize the difference.
3. Most of the art stayed the same in the NEW 2nd edition of the heART of childhood however, I did add 4 new images, and one illustration that has never been seen before!
With all of these improvements, my cost did increase a bit but I feel it is well worth the little bit extra. But the good news is I am still offering FREE U.S. SHIPPING by using the special code: USShipFree So go check heART of childhood: An adult coloring book out here!