“I’ve always loved books,” Basford reflects. “I have a vivid imagination.”
“I was the sort of girl who would grab a torch and read under the duvet after the lights were turned out. I loved the storybook nature of turning pages and creating new worlds. I was always inspired to imagine more.”
“Perhaps surprisingly, I quite liked books without pictures.”
An ironic statement, especially coming from a woman who many credit with revolutionising the publishing world as a “pioneer” of the adult colouring book.
Boasting a signature black and white style, the self-proclaimed “ink evangelist” creates all her art by hand; first drawing in pencil, then tracing in pen.
A 2005 graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, Basford’s first colouring book, Secret Garden was released in 2013.
Over the last decade, Basford’s creations have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. In 2016, she was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for “services to art and entrepreneurship”.
Three years later, Basford set a Guinness World Record for the largest drawing by an individual, creating a 501 square metre floral display at Ellon Academy in Aberdeenshire.
Basford is also involved with the work of the Scottish Book Trust.
This year’s Scottish Book Week, which ran from the 18 to 24 November, explored the theme of hope. Previous years’ themes included Adventure (2023), Celebration (2021), and Future (2020).
Authors were invited to share true stories and lived experiences in a written anthology entitled Hope, which was distributed to thousands of people for free.
For Basford, this theme has special resonance.
“For me, hope is about imagining something better than the present,” Basford says. “When you are a creative person, you are always imagining something different.”
“Books are wonderful ways to escape into new worlds.”
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Basford’s cheery tone dips when I ask for her thoughts on the proposed closure of thirteen libraries in Aberdeenshire, coming in the wake of similar closures by Aberdeen City Council two years ago.
She pauses before responding. When she speaks, her voice contains a hint of melancholy.
“It is incredibly sad,” the mum of two says. “My girls love their local library.”
“Libraries are extraordinary places. They are cosy wee nooks where people can go for half an hour and take shelter from the grittiness of life.
“They are a place of refuge, and are really important for mental health and wellbeing. We need to keep these places open, whether that’s finding new ways to use them or ways to bring in community benefits.”
Indeed, when it comes to mental wellbeing, Basford says colouring can serve as an important outlet for stress and anxiety.
“I find when I am colouring, I am much more at ease,” she observes. “It’s a great way to self-soothe.
“You never see a child who is self-conscious whilst colouring. They are always busy creating new worlds with their crayons. When people grow up, they tend to lose some of this imagination,” Basford says, suggesting that adults could learn from youngsters in this regard.
“We are always interrupted by screens; by emails or text messages on social media. Colouring provides a great way to have a digital detox.”
In a rapidly digitalising world, artificial intelligence and computer generated images have encroached on the work of real artists.
Given these challenges, Basford believes that tangible creativity is more important than ever.
In 2018, she commented on her creative process, noting: “For me, computer generated artwork lacks the warmth and charm of something hand drawn, so I create all my artwork by hand; drawing first in pencil, then redrawing in ink. I love intricate details and try to craft images that invite you to pause and examine the artwork a little closer.”
Capping off Scottish Book Week on Sunday, Basford hosted a mass colouring session at the University of Aberdeen’s Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Drawing inspiration from the university’s 1592 Ortelius atlas, which features a series of “wild and imaginary beasts and places”, attendees at the free community event coloured in a massive map whilst young visitors crafted sea monsters out of paper.
Previewing the “inkscape” during our chat, Basford said: “It’s so beautiful. It’s great to get people to come together and take a break. Colouring is a great opportunity for mindfulness.”
While Scottish Book Week has concluded, the work of the Scottish Book Trust continues.
The Trust has gifted nearly nine million books to children across Scotland since its inception in 1998 and supports more than three thousand educators and librarians.
According to Trust chief executive Marc Lambert, literacy is one of the most effective ways to “break the cycle of poverty.”
As I wrap up my conversation with Basford, it’s clear she agrees.
“I’m such a champion of reading and real books,” she tells me. “There is something so whimsical about turning pages. It provides a very wholesome joy.”
Indeed, as we approach Christmas, joy is needed more than ever. 240,000 Scottish children currently live in poverty, and there is a 20.5% literacy gap between pupils in Scotland’s richest and poorest neighborhoods.
This holiday season, The Herald is partnering with the Scottish Book Trust’s Christmas Appeal, which will provide books to children and families visiting food banks. It is vitally important work.
As Lambert noted: “The power of books, and the importance of children and young people having access to books, should not be underestimated. Reading has a very real power to redress the impacts of disadvantage.”
If you would like to make sure a disadvantaged child gets a new book for Christmas, you can donate to our appeal with Scottish Book Trust.
Donations support gifting books to families who need them most through food banks and community hubs.
To bring a child magic, comfort and joy this festive period, visit scottishbooktrust.com/donate
