You Can Never Have Enough Orange Crayons ... for your Colouring Books

Colouring Books came along in 1879 when the New York publishing firm, McLoughlin Brothers produced The Little Folks' Painting Book in collaboration with (and some say without permission) Kate Greenaway. They started off as painting books, and when crayons came into wide use in the 1930's transitioned to accommodate both.   Colouring books started as an educational method for children.  Colouring books became a favourite entertainment and pastime for children.  Over the decades they moved into health and therapeutic uses.  They are used to explain complicated medical conditions, and for adults help people relax and de-stress. Political, feminist and fine art colouring books are highlights of the 20th century. The notable political colouring book in the 20th century is the John F. Kennedy Colouring Book, a satiric tale told from the point of view of his daughter Caroline.  It sold 2,500,000 copies. Let's see what happens with all of the Trump Colouring Books. Here's a sample of what's  available on Amazon.   The Guinness Book of Records has a few records:  the largest colouring book is 14 square metres and the record is held by UBS AG Hong Kong October 2018.  There is also a record for the most contributions to a colour by numbers - at 1,300 in Moscow, achieved by ENKA TC, LLC.   The most expensive colouring book costs $30,875 US. That was in 2017. Forbes describes it HERE.  It features 'bespoke illustrations by Ian Beck'. With colouring books so much a part of our lives, I thought there might be colouring book jokes.  There aren't, but there are quotes: Life is about using the whole box of crayons. ~RuPaul Stop counting crayons, just draw pictures. ~Mark Scharenbroich Never invest in any idea you can’t illustrate with a crayon. ~Peter Lynch Coloring outside the lines is a fine art. ~Kim Nance The handwriting on the wall means the grandchildren found the crayons. ~Author Unknown Our picture today is definitely not a paint within the lines colouring image.

The Calm of Green

One would think that white is a relaxing colour, but it doesn't seem to be the case for me in winter. Today's images seem more relaxing with the even lines and curves in green. The most relaxing colour is the colour of the sky and the ocean - blue.  It is considered peaceful and tranquil and causes the body to produce calming chemicals.  That's why it is often used in bedrooms. The next soothing colour is green - but it is the sage green.  That's the one we see in hospitals on walls and hospital gowns - in the old days.  The exit signs on highways are dark green backgrounds with white letters.  That's because it has been determined that a driver's eyes don't get as tired looking at print on a green field, and there's still enough contrast for easy character recognition. So we celebrate the calm of green today.   View this email in your browser

Autumn in the Rain

How better to stay warm and dry - these pictures are taken through the windshield at Charles Daley Park, St. Catharines Ontario.