Coloring is the most relaxing thing to do at any time of the day. Coloring is good for children, it is also great for adults: it lets our creativity work while at the same time freeing our minds to travel to very relaxing and happy places. Now, what if our coloring book was all about magical Thailand?
While browsing in Asia Books one afternoon and found this beautiful book entitled, “Magical Thailand- A Colorful Journey”.I immediately decided to take it home with me, looking forward to great evenings on my own colorful journey.
Seventeen illustrations about Thailand, Chiang Mai, the country’s culture and its traditions are waiting for you in this postcard-size booklet. And you can see the Creative Director lives in Chiang Mai, because there is also a drawing of the secret Phalad Temple. It felt so good to go through each drawing that I decided to contact Stefanie Irl, the Publishing Director and Creative Director, so she could tell me a little bit more about herself and this beautiful drawing book:
- How did the idea of this coloring book come about?
The creation of this book was a really fun and easy journey. I am a trauma sensitive yoga teacher and TRE® Provider. Back then I mostly worked in rehab centers with private clients and I was looking for a little gift that I could give my clients at the end of our work together. It had to be something that is light, small and encourages a mindfulness practice. One day the idea of creating a coloring book about Thailand just came through, I still remember that moment - I was sitting in a sweet little cafe in Chiang Mai, sipping black tea and eating a brownie. The positive effects that coloring have on one’s mental health are enormous plus it’s a fun practice for old and young.
- How long have you been living in Chiang Mai?
I’ve been living in Chiang Mai for almost 10 years. As a young traveling woman the classic story happened: fell in love, got married, had a child - but it just didn’t work out. Now I’m blessed with a lovely daughter amed Lola - I dedicated the coloring book to her.
- Is drawing books a passion or are you already working in the editing fields?
I am not good at drawing but I am very creative. I love to have little projects where I can express my creativity. For the illustrations I worked with an online illustrator. I gave him my ideas and he delivered. That was also the moment of thinking “I should sell it too,” because the production cost became quite high.
- What inspires you?
A lot of things inspire me. It’s those little moments that seem to be so insignificant at first - but usually those are the moments when I suddenly hear beautiful things. Listening to my breath as it nourishes my body inspires me, listening to people and their heartfelt stories. And Love!
- Are the drawings in this coloring book all about Chiang Mai or Thailand in general?
The coloring pages are about Thailand in general. You can color a scene of the floating market in Bangkok or a hill tribe woman, one of Thailand’s beaches or a rice paddy. From fruit to Northern Thai food to my favourite temple Wat Phalad in Chiang Mai.
- What are the challenges you had encountered while creating Magical Thailand - A Coloring Journey?
As I mentioned above, the creation was so easy and fun. The challenges came as soon as the product was ready to go and then I discovered my awful skills in selling. Finally I got it into almost 40 stores including Asia Books and some great spots on the islands and then… COVID-19 hit. Since then there have been very few sales and my other sales strategies that I wanted to execute just don’t make sense at the moment without tourists.
- Which drawing is your favourite in this book?
My favourite one is for sure the hill tribe woman on the 3rd page. Her facial expression is so full of love.
- Where can we buy Magical Thailand - A Coloring Journey and how much does it cost?
You can buy it online at Asia Books or Amazon or directly on my website innerworld.me - If you are in Chiang Mai you can get it at Food4Thought, Amrita Garden, Free Bird Café, 7 Senses, Kids Yoga Garden, Chiang Mai Drama Center, Biscotti House. Throughout Thailand you will find it in Asia Book stores at touristy airports, Lamphu Health Store on Koh Samui, Art Cafe by June on Koh Samui, Orion Healing Center on Koh Phangan, The Sanctuary on Koh Phangan, Anchan Zen Yoga Store on Koh Phangan, Oasis Yoga on Koh Lanta, Yogatique in Bangkok, and in the future hopefully many more. The investment is 170 THB per book. With each purchase you also support the organisation Volunteers Without Borders for their reforestation project in Northern Thailand.
“Magical Thailand – A Colorful Journey” is a great coloring book, which you can take anywhere. In addition, a percentage of the cost of this book goes towards VWB www.volunteers-without-borders.org to plant trees in the communities of Northern Thailand.
MAGICAL THAILAND - A Colorful Journey:
Facebook:
@magical.thailand.coloringbook
Instagram:
@magical.thailand.coloringbook