Colour PEI Project

Since I love photography, I naturally take many photos of the Island where I live. Prince Edward Island is, as Anne Shirley described in the Anne series by Lucy Maud Montgomery, truly a beautiful place.

A few years ago, I had the idea of creating a colouring book featuring PEI scenery using my own photographs. I experimented with Photoshop effects, but I couldn’t quite achieve an image suitable for colouring. Eventually, other priorities took over, and the idea was quietly placed on the back burner.

That changed this summer when I met Karoline at a PEI Business Women’s Association networking event. She was in the process of launching a not-for-profit, Island Bloom Organization, and asked whether I would be interested in partnering to create a colouring book as a fundraiser. I resonated deeply with her vision of empowering women and building community—and since I already had a concept in mind, I was more than happy to help.

With a real project and a firm deadline, there were no more excuses. Because the event was only a few months away and fundraising needed to begin quickly, this first edition became more of an excerpt than a full book. I selected six iconic PEI scenes and illustrated each one in Adobe Fresco: Green Gables, Confederation Bridge, French River, Covehead Lighthouse, a beach scene, and a hay-bale field.

Although I could have used Photoshop filters to generate line art from photographs, the results felt somewhat impersonal. I wanted the pages to have more life and intention, so I chose to draw them manually. Photography contains an abundance of detail, so determining how—and how much—to simplify each scene became the central creative challenge.

At times, I wondered whether I had included too many details for a colouring book. It was a delicate balance. However, I wanted adults to enjoy the experience as well, so I leaned toward a more detailed style. Children can still colour the pages freely—without feeling pressured to follow every line precisely.

And here they are! Finally my idea of a few years has hatched into actual books!

What's even better was that this was used to fundraise for an event that blessed many moms and babies. Island Bloom held a Christmas party for clients of Island Pregnancy Centre on December 6 at Off the Wallz in Stratford. There were Christmas decorations, snacks, gifts, and even Santa came along to give out presents. I was a volunteer photographer as well, so I got to shoot those moments.

The project created a few unexpected ripple effects as well. Island Bloom and the colouring book were featured in an article in The Guardian on December 5, and the Christmas party was also covered by CBC News (Compass). I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute in this way.

Now that the first six pages are complete, I’ve begun planning additional illustrations for the full edition, with the goal of completing the book before next summer.

Stay tuned.