Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

In recent years, colouring books for adults have become more and more popular. A local version, Dreamscapes, has been created by artist and sociologist Chinyere Brown.

Brown, who was born in Jamaica, grew up in Trinidad and has a Guyanese mother, said she was inspired to create a colouring book with Caribbean motifs and familiar faces “because of a deep love I have for the region and my people. I’ve always felt like a child of the Caribbean. The book features folk doing ordinary things, women reading, combing hair, people liming, Trini dialect. The vegetation and the people in the book are meant to represent us. I created this book for our communities, especially those who are less likely to see themselves set in backgrounds that celebrate our beauty and dignity. I wanted us to engage with the appeal and complexity of the physical and social environments we inhabit, to love the skin we’re in and be comfortable with our identities. There are artists who inspire me and the book has references to their thematic and visual influence. Artists like Carrie Mae Weems, Jackie Hinkson, Ebony Patterson and others were helpful references to have as I drew.”

She created the colouring book in 2018 after creating some of the pieces for her personal collection. “Art has always been a space of joy or healing for me and I began creating these pieces to reflect the way that the world around me also provided those moments, how the trees bathe you and community can fill your spirit. I was encouraged to pulI the pieces into a collection and began to see their thematic similarity and think about the work as colouring books. Colouring books are a great way for people with varying artistic skills to engage their imagination and creativity. Research has shown that colouring books are therapeutic and can be a great way to be present and aware of the now, as well as meditative.”

Brown has been educated in T&T and abroad and is involved in art at many levels. “I went to UWI Primary school, Bishops for a year and Northgate for secondary school. I completed degrees in sociology and Afro and African American studies with a minor in Gender at Brandeis University. I am an early career sociologist who has taken many art courses both at the secondary and tertiary level. I’ve painted murals and backdrops for plays including For Colored Girls and the Wiz. I am interested in the myriad ways that art can be used for the most radical, educational and therapeutic purposes.”

She hopes a wide range of people will be drawn to the colouring book. “It is quite detailed and adults and teens will enjoy the book. Very artistic younger children may also be interested and able to use this colouring book, however the images may be too intricate for very small children. I’ve had customers buy the individual pieces as gifts for others, as art pieces to decorate their homes or as a way to unwind and engage in a form of art therapy. I’ve spoken to those who’ve pulled them out for a date night, as the colouring sometimes opens partners up for great conversation, or bought them for younger siblings or nieces and nephews. Many people who are drawn to the work say they want to encourage the recognition of the diversity of beauty. I encourage people to share their coloured work at #dreamscapes.”

Brown said “currently, Dreamscapes colouring book can be found physically at Bald Babes Ink, a shop run by incredibly encouraging and talented young creatives, at 1A Brieves Road, Long Circular Road, Port-of-Spain. I hope to find some additional physical homes/stores that will stock the books soon.”

The colouring book can be purchased online at chinyerebrown.com/dreamscapescoloringbook and Brown can also be contacted on Instagram at @dreamscapecolors and at 498-4068.