Today, August 2, is National Coloring Book Day. To celebrate this day, we interviewed Falvey’s own expert colorist, Sue Ottignon, Research Support Librarian for Languages & Literatures.  Ottignon has been coloring since she received a coloring book and a set of 36 Crayola colored pencils as a 2015 Christmas gift from her niece. She says, “I’ve always been artsy.” Before embarking on her new hobby, she had an art background in stitchery; she stitched in crewel embroidery (embroidery worked in wool threads) and in counted cross stitch embroidery.

Asked how do you work, she says she works with multiple books and multiple pages and never completes a picture in a single sitting. When starting a new project, she explains, “I look.  What colors do I want? I give it more thought and try to keep the image flowing and balanced. Sometimes I wait for it to generate an ‘aha moment.’  …  I can shade and darken with another color. I’ve improved in that I understand shading better. I had been using too much red.” Now she is leaning towards greens, blues, beiges and more geometrical designs.

Ottignon colors instead of watching television; she listens and colors a bit each evening and on weekends. “I color to the point that my thumb joint aches.” And she currently has several pieces underway that “I can’t seem to finish.” So far she has completed 40-50 sheets and has shared her work with others in the building. Four of her works are in the Director’s Office and I’m also the proud owner of one!

In early 2016, Joanne Quinn, Communication and Marketing director created “Colour Your World,” a window exhibit in Falvey. Villanova-themed coloring pages were available as part of the exhibit and Ottignon colored the Falvey Library page. She also colored “Comfort Magazine” covers with Laura Bang, Digital and Special Collections curatorial assistant.

Sue Ottignon’s colored page of Falvey

The Villanova-exclusive coloring pages from the “Colour Your World” exhibit are now available on line. So, if you are inspired to try your hand at this pastime, please download these pages and get out your colored pencils.

Villanova coloring pages available here:

St. Augustine

Coach Harry Perretta

Falvey Memorial Library

St. Thomas of Villanova

Jay Wright

V for Villanova, V for Victory

Will D Cat and the Oreo

A Studious Will D Cat and bonus Easter eggs