It’s no secret that coloring books for grown-ups are having a moment right now. They’ve been called an “alternative to meditation” and some have sold millions of copies. Well, now adult feminists have a coloring book of their own, thanks to artist Grace Miceli.
Miceli’s quirky feminist coloring book is exactly the artistic outlet we wish we’d had when we were 10—but are glad to have now. From Frida Kahlo to Mickalene Thomas, the 16-page book is filled with offbeat renditions of some of our favorite women artists waiting to come to life.
In an interview with the Ms. Blog, Miceli talks about her inspiration for the book and the women who inspire her.
When I started creating these coloring books back in 2012, I was mainly just working online and I was looking to connect beyond that … I appreciate the coloring book medium because it’s accessible and, at least for me, the physical act of coloring is extremely calming and relaxing. When I decided to start making coloring books, I was already a fan of the Cunt Coloring Book (by Tee Corinne) and The Official Valley Girl Coloring Book (by Moon Zappa and Frank Zappa) … The women I included are all huge influences to me as an artist, I made this book when I feeling kind of lost as an artist, so in a way these women were a reminder to keep pushing for success, they’re all role models to me.
Before her latest title was released, Miceli published two other coloring books, Hey Net Girl Hey and The Official Digital Valley Girl Coloring Book, in which Miceli explores the influence of the Internet on pop culture.
Pop culture is the language I find myself communicating in most often; I’m a genuine fan of it. I’m interested in entertainment, consuming it and providing it myself. Pop culture [and] Internet references are universal and fun, so that’s why I choose to use them. Also I think they can act as friendly points of access to more important or serious subjects.
Miceli is also the creator of Art Baby Gallery, a virtual mecca of glittering memes and funky feminist artwork by young, mostly unknown artists from all over the Internet. The artists use various mediums to explore everything from societal expectations of Millenials to crippling college debt to critiques of beauty and sex.
In the future, Miceli says fans can look forward to more installments of the Feminist Art Coloring Book. “I think the next installment will include more art history content, along the lines of a Feminist Art Activity Book, with word searches and crossword puzzles. And I’d like to feature more contemporary people, artists like K8 Hardy and Juliana Huxtable.”
See more of Miceli’s work in the slideshow below!
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