One minute animated commercial for Leda Sketchbook
(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, August 25, 2015 ) Kirkland, WA -- While the world clammers to snatch up any new technological device that comes along, an underground of consumers may be showing signs of resistance. The sign is a renewed interest in old fashioned paper notebooks to record ideas and express creativity.
Technology reporter David Sax of the New Yorker magazine writes that the sales of paper notebooks is showing significant growth. Revenue for Moleskine, a leading Italian company, has nearly doubled since 2010 -- from $60 million to $110 million. ("Why Startups Love Moleskine", David Sax, New Yorker, June 14, 2015.) In 2013 Moleskine sold 17 million paper journals.
According to arts writer Angela Hill of the Wall Street Journal, US book publishers are reporting a surge in sales of art related notebooks such as "coloring books for adults"-- which promise a relaxing low tech pastime.
"Now, when I want a quiet moment … I'll pull out my colored pencils and spend a few moments coloring, says Beth McCarthy, of Pleasanton, New York (Wall Street Journal, "Calming by Coloring," August 21, 2015). Hill explains the demand for art related notebooks as a way for people to deal with stress.
"Call it a backlash to the computer revolution," says communication professor and artist GJ Gillespie of Kirkland, Washington. "People are walking away from their computers, putting down their hand held devices and picking up old fashioned notebooks," he says. Gillespie is taking advantage of consumer interest in art journals since launching Leda Art Supply in July, a company that sells private label sketchbooks on Amazon.
Gillespie goes on to say that the good feelings that come from art making is the basis for a popular mental health therapy. Child victims of trauma are asked to draw a picture of what happened or what they feel, then discuss it with a caring professional. These benefits are the mission of Art with Heart, a charity in Seattle, Washington that uses art projects to help children facing hardships. Leda Art Supply donates five percent of net profits to the group.
"We all need a stress buster in our lives and sketching is a great way to start", says Gillespie. "You remember how much fun art projects were in elementary school, so why stop as a grown up?"
About Leda Art Supply of Kirkland
Leda Art Supply of Kirkland is dedicated to helping artists make the world a more beautiful place. It provides Sketchbooks for Artists through Amazon.
