This is the first book I’ve created without any AI-generated content. All the illustrations are sourced from Canva and thus crafted by human artists.
Writing this analysis of «A Girl’s Life» reminded me once again how challenging it is to translate the mental and emotional processes behind creating a coloring book into words. While I put a great deal of thought into designing «A Girl’s Life», the process itself was not exhausting. However, trying to explain why I selected specific illustrations and paired them with particular quotes is quite challenging—and, truthfully, a bit draining.
I often wish I could just say: “Well, take a look and let it speak to you. Isn’t it obvious why it is the way it is?” Of course, it’s not that simple. So, let me try to articulate my thought process and reveal the various layers I have woven into this book.
Let’s start with the theme: it’s about the life of a person. The first illustration I found on Canva that resonated with the story I wanted to tell was an image of someone sleeping. That illustration gave the person a gender, making it a girl. However, the fact that it’s a girl isn’t central to the story—it could be about any person.
The story explores the journey of human life. In poetry and prose, life is often compared to a year, where childhood represents spring and old age corresponds to winter. Similarly, life is sometimes likened to a single day, with childhood as the morning and old age as the evening. I intertwined these two interpretations throughout the illustrations.
The very first illustration in the book is the one with the train track, accompanied by the phrase “Enjoy the ride.” The quote is written in the same font I used on the first page, where I thank you for purchasing this book. I chose this font intentionally for the opening illustration as a way of hinting that I, the creator, am still speaking directly to you, my dear reader and colorist. It’s my way of wishing you joy and fun on the journey you’re about to begin as you color A Girl’s Life. At the same time, this illustration serves as the segue into the story: the girl’s life begins. She starts her journey. She is born.
The second illustration features flowers paired with the quote “It’s a piece of cake.” This represents early childhood. The flowers in the illustration are playful and childlike. Combined with the circular placement of the quote, it evokes the feeling of Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses, the children’s game where they hold hands and move in a circle. Life feels simple and carefree in early childhood—like a piece of cake. At this stage, awareness is not fully developed. You could say it is still asleep and gradually awakens as the child grows older. I used the sea of swirling flowers, rising from the depths, as a symbol of the dreamy, semi-conscious state of a toddler’s early life.
The next illustration symbolizes the gradual awakening of life, like waking up in the morning. It is accompanied by the phrase “Good morning, sunshine.” The word “sunshine” is positioned diagonally, resembling a ray of sunlight streaming through a window. The delicate flowers and butterflies in the illustration evoke the feeling of spring—a time when life awakens, just as life stirs in the early hours of the day. “Good morning, sunshine” also brings to mind the tender image of a parent entering a child’s room, gently waking them up with a loving nickname.
This illustration dives deep into the child’s consciousness. The word “hello” penetrates the sleep, creating ripples in the child’s awareness—like ripples on water—gently pulling her towards wakefulness, toward full consciousness.
The girl begins to wake up, still snoozing in her cozy bed. The quilt—a traditional blanket often sewn by adult family members for loved ones—symbolizes the warm, protective embrace of family. The quote, “I dream and wonder: Is this the dream or is this reality?” reflects that she is no longer a toddler. Her mental faculties are developing, and she is beginning to distinguish between different layers of consciousness, gradually making sense of the world around her. It is often said that toddlers perceive the world as an extension of themselves. As they grow older, they begin to discern the boundaries between themselves and the external world, slowly understanding its layers and structures.
“To be or not to be” marks a new phase in the girl’s journey: adolescence. She is now a young teenager, starting to contemplate deeper questions about life and death. Her growing consciousness begins to include thoughts and experiences beyond the physical world—abstract, intangible ideas that require introspection.
In this illustration, the flowers are no longer scattered but carefully arranged in a bouquet. This reflects her evolving sense of order and self-awareness. She has developed a clearer understanding of who she is and the boundaries between herself and the objects and people in her life. She no longer drifts through dreamy fields of swirling flowers but stands amidst a more structured reality.
The phrase “To Be… To Be” is bold and prominent, reflecting her youthful vitality and strong sense of existence. Meanwhile, the more delicately placed “or not” graces the flowers like a silk thread, wrapping around the bouquet and holding it together like a bow. This subtle detail symbolizes her growing ability to integrate complex and fragile concepts, holding them together with care and grace.
The girl is now a teenager, and her thoughts begin to turn outward. She starts to wonder how others see and perceive her, entering the realm of external beauty and the pressures of being judged by appearances.
Early bursts of confidence intertwine with feelings of insecurity, symbolized by the peacock. The bird proudly displays its vibrant colors while simultaneously asking, “Who is the fairest of them all?” Is it her? Someone else? The peacock is presented like an advertisement for a clothing brand or a logo for a company, surrounded by letters and stars at the bottom. This hints at the girl’s growing awareness of societal beauty standards and the expectation to conform in order to fit in. The stars subtly allude to the modern phenomenon of receiving “likes” on social media, reinforcing the external validation she begins to seek.
As she navigates her teenage years, insecurities take the upper hand, but she fights back by developing a sense of humor—a spark of resilience. This is reflected in the phrase “I’m in a pickle,” placed alongside jars of pickled vegetables. But which jar represents her? Is she a cucumber? A radish? Her once-solid sense of self feels less certain, and she finds herself once again questioning who she truly is and where she belongs amid this sea of possibilities.
The jars also symbolize her connection to home. Traditionally, pickled foods are prepared by families for their own use, suggesting that, despite her inner turmoil, she remains embraced by her family’s warmth and protection as she continues to grapple with her identity.
Then comes “I have a dream.” At this stage, the girl starts to think seriously about her future and what she wants to do in life. The illustration is filled with flowers—mature and neatly arranged compared to the carefree blooms from earlier in her journey. However, there are still too many of them, representing the overwhelming abundance of possibilities before her. Some flowers stand out—larger and more prominent—symbolizing the ideas and dreams that shine brighter than the rest, vying for her attention and energy.
Which of these dreams will she pursue? Which will grow and bloom into her future? These are the questions she must now face as she continues her journey.
The girl is wrapped in uncertainties, still struggling to discover who she is and to find her path in life. She feels overwhelmed by the countless options the world offers and by the dreams and desires bubbling within her. At this point, her family plays a crucial role, providing her with encouragement. “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart,” they remind her, encouraging her to follow her heart, trusting that it will guide her in the right direction.
The leaf wreath surrounding the butterfly symbolizes the family’s protective embrace. Over time, this protection transitions from the heavy warmth of a thick blanket to the delicate touch of a featherlight charm, allowing the butterfly to spread its wings without suffocation. The quote also hints at the special place the girl holds in her family’s heart. She has grown from a tiny speck they nurtured into the butterfly she has become, ready to leave home and explore the world.
And so, she prepares to leave—like a snowflake carried by the wind, buoyed by her family’s love.
One last moment of doubt. One final encouragement. This illustration evokes indigenous symbolism, reminiscent of an initiation ritual where the young are welcomed into adulthood by their community. A deep layer of tradition and familial wisdom provides a foundation for the girl as she embarks on her own journey into the world. Simultaneously, the floral arrangement recalls the swirling, dancing flowers from earlier in her story, connecting this moment with the dreamy beginnings of her life. She is standing at a new beginning, once again.
The girl steps into the world and encounters its ups and downs—storms and moments of calm—symbolized by the rising and falling waves. Still new to this stage of life, she doesn’t always know if what she’s facing is a true storm or if something more turbulent might lie ahead.
Finding her footing, she dives deeper into life in her new surroundings. The quote references life in the city, but the illustration can also be interpreted as representing life in any new place.
As she becomes more familiar with her new world, she starts to enjoy it. She feels its vibrancy, savoring every moment of her experience.
However, life catches up with her. As she gets older, she encounters the restrictions and demands of societal rules. The quote spirals endlessly, reflecting the monotony of conformity, much like a military march that never strays from its straight path: never step out of line, never stop.
The flowers in the illustration are packed tightly together, symbolizing the adults who are expected to conform to the rigid mold of societal expectations. The flowers no longer swirl upward or dance freely; instead, they lie flat, compressed by the weight of conformity. Some flowers are stacked on top of others, while some are crushed beneath the weight of those above. This arrangement represents the experience many adults face when entering the corporate world.
From a distance, the illustration and quote resemble a luxurious carpet—a symbol of wealth. This detail hints at the rewards the girl has gained by adhering to society’s rules: financial stability and success. But this wealth comes at a cost—her freedom and individuality.
The full quote reads, “All the leaves are brown,” but I’ve chosen to omit the color, leaving the sentence as “All the leaves are…” This intentional omission invites the person coloring the illustration to decide how to complete the thought.
The girl is now in the autumn of her life, reflecting on her journey. The leaves symbolize the pages of the life she has lived so far. How has she experienced life? Are the leaves she has gathered vibrant and colorful, representing happiness and fulfillment? Or are they dull and lifeless, reflecting exhaustion or regret?
As the autumn of her life progresses, the days grow quieter. She is now rich with knowledge and experience, symbolized by the multilayered illustration. The woman begins to retreat from the bustling city, entering the serene world of the forest and tranquility. Whether this forest is real or a metaphorical retreat within herself is left to the interpretation of the person coloring the illustration.
The accompanying quote reads, “There is no place like…” I intentionally left the last word blank, allowing the colorist to decide what feels like the best place of all. Where do you feel most at peace? At home? Out in nature? On a boat? In a café? The rounded corners of the illustration further suggest openness to endless possibilities.
The subject of the illustration itself offers numerous interpretations. Has the woman settled into one of the houses, finding a place to call home? Or does she still feel drawn to explore, ready to embark on new adventures in the little boat? The illustration has a nostalgic quality, reminiscent of an old photo album, evoking memories of times gone by. Simultaneously, it bears the simplicity of a child’s drawing, inviting two possible readings: perhaps the woman now has her own family, and her life is filled with the joyful creativity of her children’s artwork. Or maybe she has found a place where she feels as safe and carefree as she did in her own childhood.
The final illustration brings the journey of her life full circle. The day has ended, and she prepares to go to bed. The flowers in this illustration recall those from the earlier image where she first woke up, creating a symbolic loop that ties the journey together. However, these flowers are drawn in a more refined and mature style, incorporating elements from other illustrations throughout the book. This reflects how her life has evolved and how the flowers of her subconscious have transformed over time.
The letters in the quote are stacked vertically, creating the illusion of movement—of the letters drifting upward and out of the frame. Alternatively, the viewers might feel they are sinking deeper into the image, mirroring the woman’s dive into the depths of her subconscious. This reversal of the earlier rising motif signals the end of her journey, as she loses herself in the peaceful flowers of her inner world.
Finally, a word about the cover: I chose black frames with rounded edges to evoke the feel of nostalgic Polaroid pictures—snapshots of the girl’s life.
The inspiration for the quotes:
I dream and wonder is this the dream? Or is this reality?
“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” is from the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen (released in 1975).
To be or not to be.
The phrase “To be or not to be” comes from William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” (Act III, Scene I). It is the opening line of Prince Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, where he contemplates the nature of existence, life, and death: “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” In this speech, Hamlet reflects on whether it is better to endure the struggles and suffering of life or to end it all and face the uncertainty of what comes after death.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?
The phrase “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” comes from the fairy tale “Snow White” by the Brothers Grimm, first published in 1812 in their collection Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
I’m in a pickle.
The phrase “in a pickle” can be traced back to William Shakespeare. He used it in his play “The Tempest” (circa 1611). In Act 5, Scene 1, the character Alonso asks, “How camest thou in this pickle?” Here, “pickle” refers to being in a messy or challenging situation.
I have a dream.
The phrase “I have a dream” is famously associated with Martin Luther King Jr., who used it in his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In this speech, King expressed his vision for a future where all people would be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin, and where racial equality would be achieved in the United States.
Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
From: “Winnie-the-Pooh” by A.A. Milne (published in 1926).
Love is in the air.
The phrase “Love is in the air” is most famously associated with the song “Love Is in the Air” by John Paul Young (released in 1977).
You have plenty of courage, I am sure.
“You have plenty of courage, I am sure,” answered Oz. “All you need is confidence in yourself.”
From: “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum (published in 1900).
Is this the calm or the storm?
“The calm before the storm” – A quiet period before a time of activity or trouble.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
The quote, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment,” is widely attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, though it does not appear verbatim in any of his known writings. It is often associated with Emerson’s philosophy and themes in his essays, particularly his essay “Self-Reliance” (published in 1841), where he emphasizes individuality, authenticity, and nonconformity.
All the leaves are…
The phrase “All the leaves are brown” comes from the song “California Dreamin'” by The Mamas & the Papas (released in 1965).
There is no place like home.
The phrase “There is no place like home” originates from L. Frank Baum’s classic book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” (1900) and became widely popular through the 1939 film adaptation, “The Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland. In the movie, Dorothy utters the phrase while clicking her ruby slippers together to return to Kansas.
