Vegas-area publishers on board with adult coloring book trend

Robert Weidenfeld of Henderson saved himself long hours of market research by taking note of the obvious before deciding to publish an adult coloring book.

"I just started seeing it everywhere," Weidenfeld said. "I just said, 'This is a really hot trend right now.' "

His 34-page book is titled "Kroma Esoterica" and features public-domain images of etchings, drawings and woodcuts from 16th and 17th century manuscripts. The book is available on Amazon.com and at Crystal Alley Emporium, 2841 N. Green Valley Parkway.

"I take the images and take them into Photoshop and edit them so that they are line art and colorable," Weidenfeld said.

Six of the 10 top-selling books on Amazon.com were adult coloring books as of press time, and a few also were listed as best-sellers by Barnes & Noble. In fact, the retail chain's store at 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. features the books prominently in multiple areas — including on a rack in the foyer to greet customers.

Gordon Lincoln, owner of CDES Publishing, 1101 E. Tropicana Ave., Suite 2, which publishes trade paperbacks, said the appeal of coloring books for adults makes sense considering recent global turmoil.

"Things are so stressful, and a lot of the news we're getting is so negative that people are looking for comfort zones and comfort activities," Lincoln said. "I heard that picture puzzles are having a real resurgence, too, for the same reason."

Valley resident Rosemary Martinez said she considered relaxation to be one of the main draws of adult coloring books, and using them can also be a bonding activity, she said.

"I have a couple that are like art nouveau," she said. "It's calming, and it's fun. You end up with a beautiful product. Especially during the holidays, my best friend and my daughter and I get together and work on them, and it's something good to have a chat over and a glass of wine. We've been doing it for three or four years. We're big into crafting and art and stuff."

Martinez said she was planning to purchase one for the holidays so she can color with relatives.

Weidenfeld said he also has been coloring for years on certain occasions with his wife.

"It's something that when we go on vacation, we take our coloring books and our pencils," he said. "It's something that you can do together, and it's something that is a slow activity. We're all so rushed — running and doing things here and there. It's just a relaxing, meditative kind of an activity."

Valley resident Barbara Sindelir, a private instructor who teaches beginning drawing for adults, said coloring allows adults to be artistic without having to undergo any formal instruction.

"I would think it would be very gratifying to do that because you actually feel like you're creating that," she said. "It's kind of like the paint-by-number thing."

For more information on Weidenfeld's book, which costs $12.99 and is published under the pen name Reve White, visit facebook.com/sleepersawakeministries or sleepers-awake.com.

— To reach Henderson View reporter Cassandra Keenan, email ckeenan@viewnews.com or call 702-383-0278. Find her on Twitter: @CassandraKNews.