Coloring with the Stark Museum of Art

The art of coloring has a storied past, which dates back to the 1880s when the McLoughlin Brothers were credited as the inventors of the coloring book in collaboration with Kate Greenaway. As the crayon was invented in the early 1900s, along with the advancement of the printing press, more coloring books were published.

Always a popular item, coloring books once again became a “must have” during the pandemic as many looked for ways to stay occupied during quarantine.

It was then when Jennifer Dickinson, Director of Education at the Stark Museum of Art in Orange, had the idea of creating a color book that resulted from “Make Art Monday,” which was a project started in 2020, and has now resulted in a book that includes 17 contour line drawings for the community to enjoy.

Dickinson turned to Karen Leonard, a teaching artist at the Stark Museum, to produce a coloring page of the exterior of the actual Stark Museum building. A dozen or so drawings later and the “Welcome to Color: Coloring Book” was born. Dickinson said it was so unique, 18x24 prints of the pages were installed in the museum’s community art gallery.

“We want to people to engage in art making and realize how much art and culture is around them,” said Dickinson. “Coloring books are unassuming way to making art. You can be as detailed as you like. It’s always a good way to learn all about the Stark Cultural Venues in a unique way.”

The “Welcome to Color: Coloring Book” features 17 drawings by Leonard. Each drawing was inspired by the unique locations and collections within the Stark Cultural Venues: Stark Museum of Art, The W.H. Stark House, Stark Park, Lutcher Theater and Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Leonard is experienced with coloring books as she published her first book in 2016 titled “Mythical Creatures Coloring Book: Monsters and Beasts From Around the World.”

Leonard created the drawings using a combination of digital and traditional media. The process began by working with staff from each venue to identify locations and objects to feature in the drawings.

“The drawings take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours,” said Leonard. “There is a lot of scouting and referencing. It was made during the pandemic, so I was even more limited. I had to look at photographs of places I couldn’t access.”

The initial sketches are done with pencil and paper, which allows Leonard to have more freedom. During this step, Leonard added details like busy lines, flowing shapes, symbols and abstractions. After the pencil drawing was completed, she transferred it back to a digital format.

Using special digital programs along with a pressure sensitive tablet pen and brush, Leonard created the final versions of the drawings.

“Coloring books are a conversation,” said Leonard. “It’s not a complete work of art until the other artist comes in and finishes it. You get to decide on what colors to use. It’s also very meditative.”

Dickinson added that color is good for mental health and well-being and can help reduce stress and anxiety.

“Coloring relaxes the center of the brain,” said Dickinson. “It also helps improve motor skills and vision. People who color tend to enter a state of flow. Coloring has profound impacts.”

Free digital copies of the coloring book are available online at starkmuseum.org or by scanning the QR code on the cover. Printed copies can be picked up at the Stark Museum of Art’s Family Day on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event includes arts and crafts plus a chance to see the special exhibition, “Enlarging the View: Contemporary Photography and Connections.”

Dickinson noted that this book is an open invitation for someone to color and complete.

“Art is meant to be engaged with,” she said. “This is what keeps art living. We also have student works that were completed during summer camps framed and on display. You can see the illustrations by Karen and see the invitation of color come to life. It has been great to see how the kids interpret the illustrations. For those who post the finished work on social media, use the hashtag #SCVconnected. We would love to see it.”

The Stark Museum of Art is located at 712 Green Ave. in Orange. For more information, view starkmuseum.org or call (409) 886-2787.

“This project is really special to me,” added Dickinson. “I’ve been to all of those places on the illustrations. I’m so excited Karen took a gamble with me. It turned into something that will have a long-lasting legacy.”

-Chad Cooper, Entertainment Editor