May 2019 Fan of the Month Winners

May is the time of the year when many of the world’s favorite flowers burst into life. But you know what else bloomed last month? The creativity of our beloved Colorettes and Color Studs!

You see for our May Fan of the Month contest, we asked our talented colorists to submit any ColorIt coloring page done in a monochrome color scheme.

The ColorIt team picked three winners based on a set criteria, and another three on a random draw. Each winner gets to take home a $25 ColorIt gift card, plus a chance to double their prize if their entry features any ColorIt coloring medium!

Wanna know who made the cut? Check out the winning entries plus exclusive interviews from our Fan of the Month winners here:

MAY FAN OF THE MONTH WINNER: KAREN JOY

When did you first pick up a coloring book?

I picked up my 1st coloring book about 4yrs ago. Colorit books about 2yrs ago and now these are the only coloring books I use.

Describe your perfect coloring atmosphere.

My perfect coloring atmosphere is sitting by a window with the natural light.

Tell us about your creative process when you get ready to color.

I don't really have a creative process. I just pick a book.

How has coloring changed or added to your life?

Coloring has been a great help to me. it helps me deal with my fibromyalgia and chronic pain.

What advice would you give someone who isn’t confident about their coloring technique?

My advice about coloring technique is to do what makes you happy. This isn't about how good you are. To me it's losing yourself and not worrying. As long as you're happy with the finished product, that's all that matters.

What’s your favorite ColorIt book?

I don't really have a favorite Colorit coloring book. I like them all.

What title would you like to see in the future?

I would love to see a coloring book about Angels.

Is there anything else you want to share about your love of coloring?

I said it all in #4.

MAY FAN OF THE MONTH WINNER: RITA SNIPES

When did you first pick up a coloring book?

I have always loved to color, draw and doodle but I picked it up again a few years back when my mother had her knee replaced. I was staying with her to help her through her recovery and coloring helped us both pass the time.

Describe your perfect coloring atmosphere.

I am disabled and can not sit or stand for very long, so my favorite place to color is propped up in bed with lots of pillows, a nice cup of coffee and the window open so I get the breeze and can hear the wildlife outside. My 3 dogs are always beside me.

Tell us about your creative process when you get ready to color.

When I get ready to color I get out all my pencils, gel pens and tools and settle in.

Choosing the picture is the hardest part for me. Sometimes even just putting the first dot of color on the page is hard, but once it's on the page I can relax and go with it.

How has coloring changed or added to your life?

Coloring has really put joy in my life! When I'm coloring I have less physical pain and can forget all my troubles. The colors make me happy.

What advice would you give someone who isn’t confident about their coloring technique?

My advice would be to relax and have fun! There is no wrong way to color, it should just be enjoyed. If you aren't happy with your skills there are so many YouTube videos that have helped me with tips and tricks but mostly practice makes perfect. And don't compare yourself to anyone else As long as coloring makes you happy, just enjoy!

What’s your favorite ColorIt book?

I have 11 Colorit books and it's very hard to choose only one as my favorite. All their books are beautiful but if I had to choose just one I would have to pick Colors of Nature. I love the little scenes in the circles.

What title would you like to see in the future?

I would love to see an all Holiday book (especially Easter). And maybe a book with tiny little underground homes and cities like little animals live there. Lastly, maybe a book of post cards or greeting cards that could be colored and pulled out and mailed!

Is there anything else you want to share about your love of coloring?

Just that coloring has really enriched my life. It relaxes me and makes me happy. I love to share my finished pages with family and friends. And I love to go on the Colorit community gallery and see everyone's work. All the pictures there are so beautiful and give me inspiration.

MAY FAN OF THE MONTH WINNER: SHIRLEY SMITH

When did you first pick up a coloring book?

My first attempt at coloring was with a generic book someone had given me and I soon became bored with it. Then, I found out my sister in law (Debbie Smith Lewis) and her husband were really into coloring and they showed me all of their Colorit books and I fell in love. Very soon afterward my mother was very ill and we weren't sure if she would make it. I received a package one day with Blissful Scenes and Traveling Mandalas! It had been sent by my friend Belinda Shawver and brought me great joy in a hard time. I found coloring helped me escape the onslaught of stressful thoughts and gave me rest.

Describe your perfect coloring atmosphere.

My dining room table is my favorite place to color both for the bright lighting and room to spread out my markers and books.

Tell us about your creative process when you get ready to color.

When I get ready to color, I look through my books to see what catches my interest. Then, I pick my colors as I go using a test paper to see what combos I like. Often I will start coloring the part of the page I like most or what I already have a particular hue in mind to do.

How has coloring changed or added to your life?

Coloring has given me a great way to relieve stress and also gives me a sense of accomplishment. It has increased my self confidence by knowing that people often think highly of my artistic abilities.

What advice would you give someone who isn’t confident about their coloring technique?

If someone is not confident in their ability to color they should first realize that most all of us start out that way. There are numerous tutorials to learn special techniques for whatever medium one prefers. I learned a lot just from joining the Colorit Coloring Books fan group on Facebook. Seeing how others combine colors or do shading sparks the imagination.

What’s your favorite ColorIt book?

Mandalas Volume Two and Blissful Scenes are my favorite books.

What title would you like to see in the future?

In the future I would love to have a second volume of Blissful Scenes and also think a county fair book would be awesome. Colorit Live on Wednesday nights has also been very helpful.

Is there anything else you want to share about your love of coloring?

I just have to say that Colorit has had the greatest influence on my coloring abilities and I have met so many great friends along the way!

AND HERE ARE THE REST OF THE WINNERS:

Helen Gallagher's lovely artwork has us tickled pink!

We think Laura's earth-toned doodle looks fantastic!

You won't be feeling blue after seeing how gorgeous Rebecca Dorn's submission is.

Want to win a ColorIt Gift Card?

Join our June Fan of the Month Contest!

Six winners will win a $25 ColorIt gift card each. You can get double the prize when you feature your ColorIt gel pens, markers, colored pencils or watercolor brush pens in your work. 

Happy coloring and let your creativity run free!