Coloring used to be an activity long associated with children. But not anymore, as recent studies reveal that the act of coloring has many health benefits – convincing adults that it’s time to grab those crayons and coloring pencils again.
Experts say that coloring helps channel stress into a creative activity, puts one in a relaxed state, clears the mind, and stimulates fine motor skills. Psychologist Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology, discovered in the 1900s the therapeutic effects of coloring and was the first one who prescribed the activity to his patients.
Because of the proven effects and simplicity of the activity, coloring books for grown-ups took the world by storm in 2015; a hit that is expected to continue in the years to come. Thus, the country’s longest-running inspirational and children’s book publisher, OMF Literature, welcomes 2016 with its own coloring book.
Entitled Art to Feed the Heart, the coloring book by artist and writer Liz Claudio presents a collection of illustrated meditations inspired by Claudio’s travels, her love for doodling and calligraphy, and some of her favorite passages from the Bible.
What makes Art to Feed the Heart different from other adult coloring books is that most of the illustrations are inspired by Bible verses that are close to the author’s heart, which she hopes will draw people closer to God.
“As you go through this book, expect an encounter with God,” Claudio writes in the introduction. “Use the time coloring to reflect on the Scripture on the page.”
While coloring each page, Claudio encourages everyone’s own creativity to shine. Some portions of the pages are even left blank to allow adults to add their own doodles. She suggests, “Color outside the lines, paint the sun pink and the sky green.”
Art to Feed the Heart is available at all OMF Literature bookstores, Passages Bookshops, and other leading bookstores nationwide. It is also available in digital format through e-book stores Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Google Play, Kobo, Buqo, and FlipReads.
