For still life painter Patti Robbins, using coloring books as an adult is more about meditation than nostalgia—although that’s definitely a big plus too.
“It is great for the soul. I highly recommend it as a peaceful pastime,” Robbins told the Sun. “As a child, coloring was my introduction to the world of art.”
Robbins, like several members of Gallery Los Olivos, is one of the participating artists in the local gallery’s collaborative coloring book, which debuted online (at gallerylosolivos.com/coloringbook) on May 15. Guests of the site can view and print out pages of the coloring book for free, to color in the comfort of their own homes.
The images in the book are simple outlines—based off of original works by each artist involved—appropriate for all ages. The subject matter ranges from local landmarks to plants and animals. Robbins based her two pages off of a couple of her sunflower paintings.
“Sunflowers are my favorite flowers to paint,” Robbins said. “They continue to mesmerize me as they change constantly from day to day as they sit in my studio.”
Robbins described the coloring book project as a rewarding experience—and probably just as beneficial to its participants as to its featured artists, who may feel equally dormant while homebound.
“I am usually quite productive, but I have not been the last 10 weeks,” said Robbins, who shared that she hasn’t completed many new paintings over the course of quarantine.
One reason Robbins has had trouble finding inspiration lately is a lack of “treasure hunting” opportunities, she explained, a process rather integral to her work.
“Not being able to hunt in secondhand stores for interesting objects has curtailed my painting experience,” Robbins said. “Setting up the still life with pottery and fabrics becomes the treasure hunt that ignites my creativity.”
Contrarily, multimedia artist Martha Inman Lorch has felt more free to pursue new watercolor painting and jewelry making projects during quarantine, while she sympathizes with those struggling with physical or mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.
“I have enjoyed the creative time for myself, but I do worry about others who have felt the impact of the pandemic in more negative ways,” Lorch told the Sun.
A board member of Gallery Los Olivos, Lorch is the artist who first pitched the coloring book project. She got the idea in early May, after reading an article in The New York Times about individuals using coloring books to relieve stress and anxiety during the pandemic.
“I thought this was such a clever idea that was a helpful service to their readers,” Lorch said. “It occurred to me that our gallery could do something similar that might help our community of art lovers.”
Lorch then designed a coloring book mock-up, which she emailed to other Gallery Los Olivos artists. The preview was met with enthusiasm from many recipients, she said, and they were invited to submit their own coloring pages to include in the book.
The project has also been met with a warm response from its users, Lorch added, with many participants emailing the gallery their finished colored products.
“The public reception of the coloring book has been very encouraging,” Lorch said. “We’re delighted that in this unusual situation, we’ve been able to use our skills to do some good.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wants to know your favorite Crayola color. Send comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 11-18, 2020.