York Countians color their stress away
Coloring books for adults have soared in popularity, and more recently, groups have formed where people gather for coloring, drinks and conversation.
Coloring books for adults have soared in popularity in recent years. Titles such as Johanna Basford's "Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book" and Blue Star Coloring's "Stress Relieving Patterns" have topped Amazon's best-seller list. From college students to business professionals, adults are touting coloring as a way to manage stress and regain focus.
More recently, social events have popped up around coloring. York has joined the party.
About 75 people piled into CoWork 155 in York for the seventh Coloring and Cocktails event Dec. 16, put on by Prime Art Supply Co. owner Rita Whitney. Wine flowed. Colored pencils were sharpened. Snacks were eaten. And for a solid two hours, a number of relative strangers, predominantly women, shared each other's company.
"Coloring is the thing right now," said Whitney, an artist who has also published a York-themed coloring book, "Color It York," featuring area artists. Though Whitney said the parties are certainly trendy, coloring has proven to have value that will likely outlast the trend.
"It’s a creative outlet for people who might not have another one," Whitney said.
Alyssa Zidanic said she discovered coloring a few months ago and got hooked.
"It really helps with anger issues," Zidanic said. "If I feel frustrated, I can sit back and color."
The 25-year-old from North York Township said this was her first time coloring with a group. For the event, she spent $14 on a 40 pack of gel pens and $6 on a paisley-themed coloring book. She also brought two friends along.
Her friend, Michelle Owens from Lower Windsor Township, said she didn't really care whether she ever finished her coloring book, and for relaxation she prefers to read. The 36-year-old said events like Coloring & Cocktails provide a much-needed alternative to bars.
Another friend, 32-year-old Casey Herrman from West Manchester Township, said coloring brings out her creative side and her perfectionist streak. Herrman has attended about 10 group painting classes, and she said coloring parties are more casual than the painting events.
"A lot of people find that kind of stressful because you have a blank canvas," Herrman said. "I think this is more of a social time. Color and talk."
Karen Stabley, a York-based registered art therapist, said the magic of coloring lies in its simplicity and repetition.
“It’s the same physiology that happens when someone sits down and does any repetitive act -- knitting, crocheting, chopping vegetables," Stabley said. "There’s that feeling of being in control, relaxing, clearing a person’s mind.”
Eight years ago Stabley designed an adult coloring book, which she would give to her clients. Stabley said she never would have expected to sell any copies to the general public. Now her book, "Coloring Affirmation Pages," is selling at Prime Art Supply Co., 128 E King St., to a much broader swathe of people.
Stabley said the simple act of coloring won't get to the root of a person's stress the way art therapy can. However, she said, it's still a fundamentally healthy activity for most people.
She was most excited to see people getting together in person -- something she said is often lacking in a world where Facebook can become a stand-in for real life.
"There’s a human need for us to feel a little more in control, and see something that’s beautiful… especially in this world where everyone’s sort of half on edge," she said. "There is a great need to find beauty in the world around us."
Some people are likely to keep coloring regardless of whether its popularity endures.
Carol Miller owns 10 coloring books and has spent hundreds of hours coloring. The 47-year-old from York Township said she spends 50 to 75 percent of each year traveling as a financial software trainer. During all those airport layovers and evenings in hotel rooms, Miller has taken her coloring game to the next level, adding her own textures and shading.
With octogenarian parents and a high-level job, Miller said that, like many women her age, she has her share of things on her mind. Coloring, she said, is a healthy outlet.
"For me it just completely relieves my stress," she said.
Danielle Behler should know. The 28-year-old mental health therapist from York said people are more stressed out than ever, worried about politics, money, work, relationships and society at large.
Behler, who attended the event, said one neat side-effect of Coloring & Cocktails is that it bring people from all over the county downtown. That does a lot more than just support local businesses, she said.
"Events like this are a good way to make you feel connected to the city and the community," Behler said.
Coming up
What: Coloring and Cocktails
Where: CoWork 155, 155 W Market St, York.
When: January 12, 6 p.m.
Cost: Event organizer Rita Whitney suggests donations of $5 or more, which go to CoWork 155 for providing the space.