The birth of Acadia Thorne
In 2018, while pregnant with my first son, I experienced a wave of creativity unlike anything I had ever felt before. It was as though tapping into the act of creating life awakened a part of me that had been waiting patiently in the background. During those nine months, I self-published my very first journal, a heartfelt combination of prompts, affirmations, and mandala-inspired coloring pages centered around the energy centers of the body. Shortly after, I followed it up with a coloring book entirely made of mandala-inspired designs. Those projects felt deeply personal, almost like extensions of myself. They were created not just for others, but as a way for me to channel my connection to the world around me and, perhaps, to the divine feminine energy I rarely had the chance to explore.
As a businesswoman, the idea of being connected to feminine energy often felt foreign to me. In the day-to-day grind of running a marketing company, that part of me was pushed aside. I thrived on structure, strategy, and results… all traditionally "masculine" traits in the professional world. But a second pregnancy changed everything. It reminded me of the softness, the flow, and the magic of creation itself. And it wasn’t just life that I was creating. It was art.
Fast forward to today, January 20, 2025, and I am thrilled to share that my first adult coloring book is officially in printing and will soon be available for purchase. This book represents a new chapter in my life, one where I’ve stepped away from the marketing world and fully embraced my career as an artist and illustrator. It’s a journey that has been shaped by my love for nature, my connection to creativity, and my desire to share something meaningful with the world.
The Early Seeds of Creativity
Growing up in a small town south of Boston, surrounded by both coastal beauty and sprawling farmland, I was always deeply influenced by the natural world. The juxtaposition of ocean waves and open fields fostered a sense of balance in me… a harmony between movement and stillness. These elements are woven into everything I create, from intricate mandalas inspired by sacred geometry to illustrations of herbs, florals, and insects that feel like they’ve been plucked straight from the earth.
My artistic style has always been a reflection of my environment. It’s heavily influenced by mythology, tarot, sigils, and deities, as well as the delicate details of birds, animals, and plants. There’s something sacred about these symbols and elements; they carry stories, histories, and energies that resonate deeply with me. When I sit down to draw, I feel like I’m tapping into something much larger than myself… a collective memory of the natural and spiritual worlds.
The Shift From Marketing to Art
For years, I poured my energy into my marketing company, Swoco Studio, which I co-own with my partner, Mike. Together, we built a business that helped other entrepreneurs grow and thrive, but there came a point when I realized I wasn’t giving myself that same space to grow. In December 2024, after much reflection, I made the decision to step back from the company and let Mike take the reins. It wasn’t an easy choice.. walking away from something you’ve built is never simple… but it was the right one.
I wanted to focus entirely on my art, to dive headfirst into the creative projects that had been calling to me for years. It felt like a homecoming, a return to the part of myself that I had first connected with during my first pregnancy. This time, though, I wasn’t just dipping a toe into the creative waters; I was diving in completely.
The Birth of My New Coloring Book
This first coloring book feels like the culmination of everything I’ve been working toward as an artist. It’s filled with intricate designs inspired by the things I love most: mandalas, sacred geometry, sigils and floral energy. Each page is a reflection of my passion for nature and the spiritual connections that bind us to it.
Coloring isn’t just a pastime; it’s a form of meditation, a way to ground yourself and reconnect with your inner world. That’s what I hope people will feel when they open this book… a sense of peace, creativity, and connection. Whether you’re filling in the petals of a flower, tracing the lines of a mandala, or bringing a mythical creature to life with color, my hope is that this book becomes a space for self-expression and calm.
Why Adult Coloring Books Matter
We often forget to slow down and make time for ourselves. Adult coloring books offer a unique opportunity to do just that. They provide a creative outlet that doesn’t require any prior skill or experience… just a willingness to sit down, pick up some colored pencils, and let your imagination guide you.
Studies have shown that coloring can reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and even boost your mood. It’s no wonder that the demand for adult coloring books has continued to grow over the years. For me, creating these books isn’t just about making art; it’s about sharing a tool that helps people find joy and mindfulness in their everyday lives.
The Connection Between Feminine Energy and Creativity
Reflecting on the creative surge I experienced during pregnancy, I’ve come to realize just how deeply intertwined creativity and feminine energy are. Feminine energy is intuitive, nurturing, and cyclical… much like the creative process itself. When I’m drawing, I feel that flow, that connection to something greater than myself. It’s a feeling that I don’t often experience in the structured, analytical world of business, but it’s one that I’ve come to cherish as an artist.
Stepping into this space has been healing for me in many ways. It’s allowed me to embrace parts of myself that I had previously overlooked or undervalued. And as I prepare to release this coloring book, I’m reminded of the importance of honoring those creative instincts, of giving ourselves permission to explore and express without judgment.
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning of my journey as a full-time artist and illustrator. I have so many ideas for future projects, from more coloring books to illustrated journals and beyond. My art is constantly evolving, shaped by my experiences, my environment, and the people who inspire me. Living in a town that balances coastal serenity with the raw beauty of farmland has given me endless inspiration, and I can’t wait to see how that continues to unfold in my work.
For now, though, I’m focused on sharing this first coloring book with the world. It’s a project that’s been years in the making, and I’m so proud of what it represents. More than that, I’m excited to see how others will interact with it, how they’ll bring their own creativity to the pages and make them their own.
A Final Thought
Art has always been a way for me to connect… to myself, to others, and to the world around me. This coloring book is a reflection of that connection, a celebration of nature, spirituality, and the creative spirit that exists within all of us. My hope is that it brings as much joy and peace to those who use it as it has brought to me in creating it.
Whether you’re an artist, a coloring enthusiast, or simply someone looking for a moment of calm in a busy world, I hope this book becomes a source of inspiration and delight for you. Stay tuned for the release date, and get ready to create the world you want to see… one colorful page at a time.
