Adult colouring and art is my main hobby and has been for a number of years. In my teenage years I was put off art by an art teacher who would always criticize my art even though I had a disability that severely affected my fine motor skills. I thought I was rubbish at art and become frustrated because I could not do what my non-disabled friends were doing. For many years I didn't touch a pen, pencil or paintbrush.
In 2015, I bought a colouring book entitled 'Secret Garden ' by the queen of colouring books Johanna Basford. I fell in love with adult colouring and have been doing it ever since. I am going through a phase of using gel pens instead of pencils but the end result is amazing. If I'm worried or stressed I turn to colouring and I use it to kill time when I am in hospital. It is a great form of mindfulness and I could sit for hours experimenting with different mediums and just getting lost in the relaxation of art. It also has a beneficial effect on my cerebral palsy both mentally and physically. My fine motor skills have improved and my writing is a lot better than it used to be. It is now legible and neat! During lockdown and shielding it has kept me mentally stimulated. I have learned new skills following Youtube videos and also made a few friends from the adult colouring community on Facebook and Instagram who are so encouraging and welcoming. Most importantly creativity fosters happiness and confidence and you should have a go at art or colouring whatever your ability or level. No one is rubbish at art! Art is what you make it. I have also got to admit that I am a hoarder of colouring books and art supplies, I think this has been compounded by lockdown, that's my excuse and I am sticking to it! 
Above is an example of my work. Happy Colouring! Follow my adult colouring and art account on Instagram Colourful_Rach.
