Redefining the lines in which we color
October 30, 2025
Plans don’t always unfold how we imagine, but in moments of challenge, we usually return to what feels most true. That’s exactly what MAA alumna Courtney Archibald did when faced with adversity.
After earning her undergraduate degree in Interior Architecture in 2023, Archibald began working as an interior architect. But when she was laid off just a year later, she faced a period of uncertainty that deeply affected her mental health. Rather than letting the setback define her, she turned to art and mindfulness practices as tools for healing. What started as coloring pages she created for herself soon grew into something much larger: The Bejeweled Toadstool Coloring Book.
“I’ve always had two sides of myself, the design side and the artistic, drawing side,” Archibald explained. “When I had more time on my hands, I started making my own coloring sheets as a form of self-care. Eventually, I realized this could be something that helps other people, too.”
The result was a 16-page, hand-drawn collection of whimsical, nature-inspired illustrations paired with affirmations and mantras like “Small progress is still progress.” Each intricate design reflects Archibald’s love of detail and her vision of creating an imaginative escape from life’s daily stresses.
Archibald credits much of the project’s momentum to her time in the Master of Arts Administration (MAA) program at Ohio University (2024-2025), where she specialized in Visual Arts Management. “The program gave me the confidence and tools to actually publish my work,” she said. “Learning about branding, entrepreneurship, and how to market yourself as an artist helped me see this project as more than a hobby. It gave me the courage to move forward.”
Classes like Social Entrepreneurship played a key role in shaping her mindset. “I learned that you can do good and still make a profit,” Archibald shared. “There’s a stereotype of the ‘starving artist,’ and I really wanted to challenge that with this project. Taking positive risks was scary at first, but it’s been worth it.”
While the coloring book was self-published, Archibald took care to ensure quality and sustainability wherever possible. The glossy cover and thick, matte pages make the book durable and versatile, perfect for markers, colored pencils, or pens. “It was such a rewarding feeling to finally hold the book in my hands and know it was real,” she said.
The response from friends, peers, and supporters has been overwhelmingly positive. Archibald says her favorite part has been seeing people share photos of their completed pages. “It makes me so happy to know that something I created is giving people a moment of peace or joy,” she reflected.
Looking ahead, Archibald is already planning Volume Two of The Bejeweled Toadstool. She envisions continuing the whimsical forest theme and adding more affirmations. “This project is just the beginning,” she said. “My mission is to keep finding ways to bring mindfulness and art together.”
For Courtney Archibald, the coloring book is more than a creative outlet; it’s a testimony of resilience and a reminder that art has the power to heal, connect, and inspire.