Release

I started coloring while in my senior year of college. For a Jamaican decent, this is a childish activity, so I was called that.

I found that alongside writing, whenever I turn a page in my coloring book and allow my mind to express itself without thinking too much about the outcome, I get such a peaceful release it's unfathomable.

There are days when I wish to color the entire page, and I have, but if I focused on finishing the page when I am trying to relief stress, it defeats the purpose.

Let's walk through this picture, and dissect the colors and what the represent.

I colored this page on July 29, 2021.

I woke up feeling outside of my element. Usually when I get up in the mornings, after my devotion, I start my writing session.

I got up, had a lot on my mind and thirty minutes in, I could barely think of what to write. Now I am even more ticked off because I enjoy writing more than almost everything in my life, so if I can't do it, I know something is wrong.

Instead of wasting the entire session, I decided to color to activate my creativity and to help get my mind right.

The first thing I colored was the fruit bowl. I decided to do these colors because I like bland colors and given that my aim was to mess with my creativity, I wanted to go against what I was feeling.

Everything else that I colored was traditional, until I got to the two flower pans that had the little design on it.

Another reason why I enjoy coloring is to assess my creativity. When I color a page the amount and the level of risks I take with my interpretation vs traditional color schemes tells me what's my creative flow for that period.

Every color that I use has an interpretation for my creativity. They are not randomly selected colors. They tell me if my writing is possible for the day.

Green means I want to write but I am not comfortable in my environment.

Red means I am angry about something and it's blocking my thoughts.

Brown means my thoughts are colliding. Nothing is clear.

Grey means I need a specific type of music to help with my flow.

Purple means I want an escape.

Yellow means I have an hint of creativity.

Maroon means I want an escape but not has far as purple would mean.

Dark brown means my mood is off maximum.

Blue means I am annoyed.

Based on this picture I was in a bad shape and needless to say I did not continue writing after I colored this image. 

On my better days my colors are very much motivational, and I enjoy putting colors together and matching that with a fictional world and surprisingly it helps me with my writing. 

To break this section of the process down, I will relay how a certain color scheme will help me develop fictional characters. 

Green helps me to write about a character that wants better for themselves but the circumstances are not ideal. 

Brown is that character who is between a rock and a hard place. 

Purple is when the character makes a run for it. 

Combining all three colors suggest this character is in a difficult spot that he/she is trying to make the best of, but fails effort after effort and decides to run away from the pressure. 

 Yes, I know. I am amazed every time I draw inspiration from colors because it comes from a vulnerable place and it has more meaning.