A few days ago, I sat down with my young boy to colour Vicki Allesia's Port Moody.
He was on the right, for the kids' side; I was on the left to replicate some of her recent acrylic paintings - albeit with wax crayons.
We took on scenes of spring tulips planted outside city hall, a boat up Indian Arm (where Allesia has a cottage near Croker Island, with an outdoor studio space) and other iconic landscapes within the municipality.
Together, we spent about an hour of mom-and-son bonding time, happily colouring inside the lines.
Twenty years ago, Allesia had wanted to produce a colouring book when her own kids were smaller but never found the time.
But this year, the idea bounced back after talking with her sister in California, who mentioned she colours to destress - a common form of art therapy in France - and with Claire Lawrence, a Port Moody Arts Centre board member who spoke about the number of children now using the St. John's Street hub.
"I thought, 'Yes, that's what going to work here,'" she said.
Allesia planned to coincide launch her new publication on Nov. 20 with the Christmas Marketplace held by the Blackberry Artists Society, of which Allesia is a co-founder and the incumbent treasurer.
Over four months, she copied a dozen paintings into line drawings, with more simple designs on the right side for kids.
And since she put them out at the Blackberry gift shop last month, more than one-third have sold - many snapped up by Tri-City realtor Sheila Francis for her Welcome to Port Moody packages for new homeowners.
A 32-year Port Moody resident, Allesia said she's pleased with the colouring book's success as it shares her passion for the City of the Arts. The Port Moody Art Association president also said the books are meant to be a fun, social activity between parents and their children. "It's quiet, unplugged, low-tech," she said. "It can also be meditative so it's good for all ages."
Vicki Allesia's Port Moody colouring book is $12 through the Blackberry Artists Society gift shop at the Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. John's St.). Visit blackberrygiftshop.ca.
