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Relax, Renew, Revisit Childhood

 by Bradley K. Harris

It started out as the British Invasion, spread across the Channel to become the French Revolution, and has experienced epidemic growth in the United States. Fortunately this does not refer to war, or the 60’s musical style of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. We are talking about coloring books here….coloring books for Adults. That’s right – Adults.
When Scottish artist Johanna Basford released her amazing coloring book for adults in 2011 “Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book” (Laurence King Publishing), who would have believed it would sell close to six million copies worldwide and become a global best-seller? And when French publisher Hachette Pratique released “Art-thérapie: 100 coloriages anti-stress” in 2012, could they have envisioned their adult coloring book would sell more than three and a half million copies worldwide?
With the help of Social Media, the Adult Coloring Book Craze has leaped across the ocean and onto Amazon’s Best-Seller list here in the United States. Fueling this phenomenon is the modern day adult’s need to Relax, Renew and Revisit Childhood. Baby boomers and adults of all ages find themselves today in the most fast-paced, constantly changing environment in the history of civilization. Is it any wonder that pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession in general have focused so greatly on stress and anxiety related illnesses over the past decade? And then comes along a stress reducer that is fun, low-cost and a remarkable therapy for children of all ages.
I once heard my 88 year old father, who still whips me on the tennis court say that his secret to great health and longevity is in not knowing how old he is. ‘I may grow older but I’ll never grow old’ has been his mantra for the past 30 years. He lives his mantra and in addition to solving cross-word puzzles, walking, tennis and wood-working, dad spends a lot of time drawing and coloring. A child at heart, a man that revisit’s childhood frequently and has remained forever young. Coloring isn’t just for the young in age anymore, but for those who seek to remain young in body, mind and spirit.
Phyllis Harris is the illustrator of over 35 children’s books and a lover of all things childhood. Throughout life, her place of peace and solitude was a return to childhood; a remembrance of simpler times. Joy filled days spent relaxing in a field of dandelions, riding a horse through sun-ripened fields of wild flowers and playing fetch with her best four-legged friend. Capturing the heart of childhood became her illustrative style in creating art for children’s books. Experiencing changes in children’s publishing 4 years ago, like many other artists and illustrators, Phyllis realized the need to reinvent herself and her business. Phyllis began focusing on creating wall art for Children’s Rooms and launched Phyllis Harris Designs in 2012. With a passion for illustration, and her love of childhood, Phyllis Harris Designs has experienced remarkable success. With her illustrations adorning thousands of children’s rooms across 6 continents, customers began asking Phyllis in early 2015 if she would consider publishing a collection of her illustrations into an adult coloring book. And that is how ‘the heART of Childhood’ was born.  Now heading into its 3^rd printing in 6 months, “the heART of Childhood: A coloring book featuring the timeless art of Phyllis Harris” has garnered international success and has exceeded any expectation the artist had early on. This is just one Midwest U.S. artist’s story; and the story of many successful artists and illustrators in the United States and Europe.
When and where will the adult coloring book craze end? The answer may just be, never. Because the need to Relax, Renew and Revisit childhood will never grow old. And like my father, millions of others have found that it’s better to grow older, but never grow old.

In my quest to fill the world with the happiest, weirdest art in the world, I have dreamed up yet another vehicle for the task: A coloring and activity book!

While it’s in the works, I couldn’t resist sharing some of the pages with you. Here’s one that will both scratch your coloring itch and stave off Alzheimer’s. It’s printable on regular letter-sized paper (select Fit to Page for best results). Enjoy!

Dear Friends,

It's here!!! Thanks to all of you who gave your input, WE DID IT, again!  Another Phyllis Harris coloring book is available today at this link.  It will also be available later in the week on Amazon as well. Keep an eye on my facebook page for updates!

Since I have been illustrating children's books since 1999 and I am the illustrator of over 35 children's books, I thought it was high time I created and published a children's book myself! I am SO excited!

Introducing my 2 in 1 coloring/story book. And my studio companion Cassie give her hardy approval!



It makes a wonderful keepsake!   Adults can enjoy the act of coloring AND enjoy reading with their little ones after the book is complete. This 32 page coloring book/story book featuring a lovable little girl, Emma and her golden retriever friend, Brandy. It includes the 14 timeless one-sided images created on nostalgic cream colored paper.



For those of you who are new to my blog, here is a little back story on Brandy and Emma...

In case you haven't noticed, I have lots of art featuring golden retrievers and a small blonde headed girls? Ever wonder why? Many of you on this list are already familiar with my Brandy and Emma characters because of the stamping/crafting community. But for those of you who don't know who Brandy and Emma are, let me explain.

Here is the original Brandy, the golden retriever and Emma.(aka Em or Emily, our daughter, the photo taken many years ago, as she is now a mama herself.)




Brandy was our very first beloved golden retriever who has been gone from our lives for many years now but never gone from our hearts. She was the dearest creature and I often thought she was an angel sent by God to our family.

There are still lots of my first coloring book, the heART of childhood,  going out to their new homes so be sure to get your copy soon as I am down to three last boxes and I would be so honored if you shared this link to my coloring book with your friends and family who might enjoy this new fun craze of adult coloring. It is so relaxing after a stressful day. Oh, and be sure to use the FREE U.S. SHIPPING coupon code USShipFree at checkout!




As always, thank you for being a part of our wonderful community. I am so grateful for each and every one of you!

Phyllis

While I was thrilled with the production and reception of my first coloring book printing, I came across an even better product through a different supplier. I am even more thrilled to announce the second  edition of my coloring book!

They’re here!!!! My second edition of my adult coloring books, the heART of childhood just arrived!! I still cannot believe my first edition of books sold out in a little over a month! Truly it has been such a blessing and so unexpected. A HUGE thank you to ALL of you who have helped make that possible.

Ok, why a second edition? Because I listened to my customers and now the NEW features are:

1. Printing on one side of the paper only. Now you may color using markers or gel pens, as well as colored pencils and crayons if you choose; and they won't bleed through to the image on the opposite side. It also makes it fun if you want to take the completed piece out of the book and frame it when you are done with your marvelous creations. And now the book is twice as thick, too!

2. It is now “perfect bound” instead of saddle stitched.(aka stapled)  There is a peek of what I am talking about in the photo so you can visualize the difference.

3. Most of the art stayed the same in the NEW 2nd edition of the heART of childhood however, I did add 4 new images, and one illustration that has never been seen before!

With all of these improvements, my cost did increase a bit but I feel it is well worth the little bit extra. But the good news is I am still offering FREE U.S. SHIPPING by using the special code:  USShipFree   So go check heART of childhood: An adult coloring book out here!

 

Tomorrow is NATIONAL COLORING BOOK DAY so to celebrate, I am having a GIVEAWAY! To win 3 of my Coloring Books just released a month ago...Be sure to follow all the steps below.

1. LIKE my Phyllis Harris Designs Facebook page and

2. SHARE this post and be sure you share from this post directly so I can document the shares.

3. I will pick a random winner on Sunday, August 9th at NOON, EST!

4. Double your chances by following and re-posting my Instagram post as well over at https://instagram.com/phyllisharrisdesigns/

Be sure to get your copy with FREE US SHIPPING by using the coupon code USShipFree at: http://phyllisharrisdesigns.com/collections/top-sellers/products/coloring-book-for-adults-and-children-the-heart-of-childhood-by-phyllis-harris