Art Inspiration

I thought it would be fun to show a few pictures I have snapped from the trails that were loosely used

to inspire some of my artwork.

Why Are Grown-Ups Still Coloring?

The other day we were at my wife's grandparent's house.  While my wife played Yahtzee with Papaw, I found myself doodling on the back of an old scorecard with a ballpoint pen that was on the table.  This has been my custom pretty much my whole life!  All through school I doodled on my papers, books, and even on my desk... and don't get me started on everything I drew on and colored on at home, including my wall!

Papaw was intrigued at my doodles and asked if I could draw an eagle.  While I drew him an eagle (picture below), my wife told him I was in the process of making an "adult coloring book." 

 

Now before I go on, I should point out that I've been hesitant to use the term "adult coloring book" for a few reasons.  First of all it sounds dirty! Secondly, I invite all ages to color my book when I am done (if I ever get done).  And the third reason is... well, keep reading.

 

Upon hearing the term "adult coloring book," Papaw immediately started to laugh out loud.  He said "I can just see them at the nursing home with their crayons!" 

 

I chuckled too, though a little embarrassed.  

 

He proceeded, "Do they do Color By Number, too?"

 

Little did he know, last year was a booming year for illustrators.  Adult coloring books were at the very top of Amazon's best sellers.  Johanna Basford's Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book was off the charts. "Zen" doodles, mandala, and "Sharpie art" had become (and still are) more popular than anyone could have predicted.  When I first became privy to the popularity of this hobby, I thought of all the doodles I had thrown away over the years and how I could have turned them into coloring books.  I'm not going to lie, the more I thought about it the more I saw dollar signs.  I've been working on a book ever since (and have found out just how difficult it is to produce a decent amount of good, quality illustrations that people will want to color).

 

So why is it so popular?  I can give only a few theories:

 

1.  Coloring brings back fond childhood memories

 

Because of the fact that I am trying to produce a coloring book, I joined a Facebook group called "Adult Coloring Worldwide."  I decided to take a little survey on how many in the group colored as a child and how many started later in life.  There were certainly many who jumped on the bandwagon later in life and got addicted, but overwhelmingly the members of that group loved coloring as a child.  Some continued drawing and coloring their whole life (I'm sort of in that category...even though I am one of the few men in the group), and others got away from it in their high school years only to pick it up again years later.  It makes perfect sense that we want to return to something we loved as a child.  For many of us it was like a security blanket.  It was calming and relaxing.  It helped us focus.  It was like... coffee!

 

2.  Coloring truly is therapeutic

 

I can't explain it, and I'm not sure there has been much by way of scientific research, but many people have found coloring to be a release.  Got stress? Go color.  Got anxiety? Go color.  Suffer with ADHD? Many are finding coloring to be helpful.

 

Now, I'm not going to say whether it is right or wrong for adults to turn to coloring for these issues. Certainly, getting exercise (perhaps going for a hike) and eating a better diet can help.  As a guy in ministry, I think one's spirituality must not be neglected either.  I turn to my faith in Christ for EVERY issue I go through...but I'll save that for another post.  But I can't think of any reason this hobby should be discouraged (unless of course you have no social life and don't get a thing done all day because you have 5,000 coloring books that need you... but, you know, that is a chance you take at just about any hobby!)

 

 

3.  Coloring is good, old-fashioned fun!

 

Look, we are American!  What else are you going to do?  Play video games?  Watch movies? Play Yahtzee?!!!

 

 I'd rather draw.  And if you would rather color, be my guest...just don't forget to buy my coloring book when it comes out! 

 

(Follow the progress on my coloring book project by following this blog, subscribing to my Youtube channel, and following me on Instagram and Facebook.  Thanks!)

Update on Coloring Book Project - Weeks 1-5

 

So, here is where I am so far.  It has been quite a challenge to go from years of doodling on scrap paper (doodles that I would throw away after finishing) to producing artwork that I am scanning into the computer and trying to get formatted for publication.  It has been quite an experience already, and I'm only half way done.

 

I'm thrilled to have many complements on my artwork, it certainly helps motivate me to keep going...but there is a huge difference in people admiring my work and people being willing to purchase a book of digital prints of my work.  I feel like I'm annoying people with all my posts of my works in progress, but I feel like it is the most effective way to raise awareness of my work for future sales?  That is truly going to be the most difficult part of this project...marketing!  I'm up for some suggestions in this area!

 

I have made a few pdf files available for download at  https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrairieSteps, and will be adding more work in the upcoming weeks.  Currently, each file is $1.75  (buyer will be able to print as many copies as they wish of that purchased file).  This obviously isn't intended to bring in a lot of profits, but I'm hoping it will help to promote the work, and perhaps it can be better appreciated in a tangible form.

 

I am also happy to send people a free file of certain pieces if they will color them and share on social media to help me promote the work.  Let me know if you are interested.

 

Thanks again for those who have been following this project, and for all the kind words.

 

Progress on Coloring Book Project - Week 3

It's been a long, busy week full of mixed emotions as we buried my wife's grandmother.  She was a faithful, godly, hard-working woman.  She will be missed, but is in a much better place now, with Jesus her Savior.  As always, you never know how much a person meant to you until they are gone. 

Anyway, the family was down this week, and we spent a lot of time together (comforting, reminiscing, and fellowshipping).  The preparations for the funeral, extra time spent with family; along with the regular, daily duties to perform, made it a little difficult to get a large amount of artwork done this week.  However, I was able to get a few pieces done, and looking back I'm a little surprised to see they were such time-consuming pieces (I worked a lot of late nights). 

Along with the work shown in this video, I have the beginning of another piece and several ideas for more to come.  I anticipate that next week will be a profitable week in terms of getting work done on the coloring book project.  Thanks for following, and I'm looking forward to posting more next week!

Progress on Coloring Book Project - Week 2

 

Another fair week for producing some artwork.  I may get some done over the weekend, but probably won't share much, so I decided to post this today. 

 

I'm still enjoying it, which is good!  I've been a little concerned that it will become a "job" and I will dread doing it each night.  However, last night I wasn't "feeling it," and so I quit and went to bed. I think it is the first night I haven't produced anything since I started the project, but I'll make up for it next week, Lord willing.

 

Thanks for following, I hope you enjoy it!

Progress on Coloring Book Project - Week 1

So, it was a pretty good week in terms of producing artwork.  Unfortunately I didn't do much running or hiking, but this was a good week to substitute that for art.  First of all, I was recovering last week from being unusually sick with whatever everyone in our family and in our church has been passing around.  Secondly, it has been pretty icy out (I've got pretty bad experience with running on ice!).  So, I was able to fill a couple hours each morning and each night with producing artwork.  I don't know how much it will suffer once I get back to running, but I plan on posting my weekly progress on this project (with a similar video for each week).  Thanks for following. Have a good Lord's Day tomorrow!

Free Coloring Calendar Download

Feel free to print and color the following picture! Just right click and go to "print picture."

 

 

Here is how I colored it:

Stay posted for more artwork and updates on the progress of my upcoming Prairie Steps coloring book.

Thanks!  And if anyone colors this calendar, I'd love to see the final product.

Update on Coloring Book Project

I was super happy with the encouragement I got after I shared my newest "little project" on social media.  Not every "project" I feel compelled to take on generates a whole lot of interest.  And, actually, that doesn't usually stop me from going through with said projects anyway.  Even when these endeavors seem to be a waste of time to others, I learn from them, I grow from them, and they help define who I am.  And when I feel like I am done, I move on to something else I'm inspired to do (God allowing).

But this one generated not only an influx of encouraging support, but more of a "No, seriously.  You need to do this!" type of response.  So, I have definitely decided to move forward with this, but I may need some help.  I've already had some great suggestions on how I might be able to utilize this artwork.  Thanks, and keep the ideas coming!  But my biggest obstacle right now is the fact that I don't know the first thing about getting something published, produced, and marketed.  If anyone can help with some suggestions or resources on this subject, I'd really appreciate it.

I'll do a little research and try to give an update next week (I have to move slow because I only have so much time in a week that I can set aside for my "little projects" along with Ministry, side jobs, and hanging out with my family). 

Thanks again for the support and encouragement!

Episode 2 of "Footprints on the Kansas Trails."

I'm excited to finish compiling enough clips to make another short film.  I mentioned this one briefly in my last post, "Can't Leave Out the Creek Side!" This one took me about three sessions (I lost all clips I took on the second session).  I'm still only using a cellphone and Windows Live Movie Maker, so again I apologize for the quality of the video.  But I'm learning.  And hopefully I will eventually get to the point of purchasing some equipment...we shall see.

In the meantime, I hope this gives a little taste of what this trail is like.

About the music: 

I'm actually still in the process of getting permission to use this song from Southern Raised.  If you end up watching this video with no music, I guess I didn't get permission.  I'm pretty sure they won't mind me sharing their song since I'm not profiting off of it, it promotes their music...and (in this particular song) it really gives the Gospel message.  Either way, I appreciate the song and for some reason felt like it fit.

Thanks for following.

Introducing the "Footprints on the Kansas Trails" Project

 

After a long spell of putting this blog on the side burner, I recently made the decision to take it in a different direction.  There is a vision I have had ever since I first changed the name of the blog to "Prairie Steps" about 4 years ago, but I haven't taken any steps toward making the vision a reality...until now.

 

Footprints on the Kansas Trails Project - Film #1 

"Running on the Lehigh Portland Trails"

First, if you don't know me, allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Rocky, I am currently a youth minister/pastor's assistant at Iola Baptist Temple in Iola Kansas.  I run.  But honestly, I don't know if I can really identify as "a runner."  I love the outdoors, I love challenges...I love adventure.  I like running, but I'm just as satisfied with a nice brisk hike through the woods, a canoe trip down a river, or even sleeping under the stars next to the nice, cozy flame of a campfire.  When I do run, I run at my own pace.  I'm not fast.  And I walk when I get tired.

So, it seems like quite a stretch for me to try to inspire anyone to become "a runner."  No one is going to read my blog or watch a video clip of me running in order to pick up pointers on how they can shave time off of their next 5K or half-marathon (I might be able to help a little, simply from experience and reading lots of material on running).  And, even though I enter into ultra distance races because I love the challenge, I can't give much advice on ultramarathons either. 

Mostly, I just like the excuse to get out in nature, get some exercise, suck in all the oxygen off of the evergreens, listen to the rhythm of my footsteps and the singing of the birds.  I like the opportunity to get alone with God, thank Him for His beautiful creation and for the opportunity to serve His Son Jesus with all my heart and all my soul.  And in the process, I like to share it all with others.

That's what this vision is all about.  I want an excuse to see all the trails that are near by, from the most popular trails, to the "best hidden secrets."  I also want to be able to share them with others and encourage everyone to enjoy the benefits of getting out in nature.  So, I began to dream a couple dreams.  Who knows where they will take me, but while I'm waiting to see, let's just have some fun!

For now, I have absolutely no budget for this project.  I can't afford very many days off to make videos and write stories of my adventures. I don't have any equipment except for a few free programs on my computer and a cellphone.  I have nothing by way of sponsors or financial supporters... But as you can see, I'm still able to put a little bit together.  So, I hope you will enjoy it.  Please follow this blog, subscribe to my YouTube page, and like my Facebook page if you are interested in seeing the future of Prairie Steps.  I have a lot of ideas, but I'm up for suggestions and any advice you can offer.

Thanks for reading.  Remember, life is always an adventure.