Colors of Creation: The Evolution Of A Cause

Looking at the original edit of this project, it is clear that a major transformation has taken place. Compared to the book you hold in your hands today, it is hardly recognizable. That transformation has extended outward, and for better or for worse, has shaped the person I am today. The work began as a single Christian-based tribute to the Master Artisan Himself; honoring the Creator, His ultimate creation, and His grand design.

The format would be one of my hand-created pieces of new media art, modified into a coloring page, paired with relevant Scripture, and a page of "fun facts" or bite-sized learning tidbits highlighting the individual creature's unique beauty, special purpose, and the essential role they play in the delicate balance of nature. I called it “art with a purpose,” and that purpose was, specifically, to glorify God. A grand celebration of God’s perfect design, from a faith-based perspective. I had a renewed sense of purpose, and I set out on this journey with a fervent desire and child-like enthusiasm. I would use the gifts God gave me, and I would make a difference.

I can’t recall the exact moment it happened. The specifics are still unclear. What I can tell you, is that somewhere during the endless procession of late nights spent perfecting each and every page, I must have tripped and fallen down a rabbit hole. The harder I tried to pull myself back out, the deeper I felt myself fall. I did, eventually, reach the bottom. What I found at the bottom of that rabbit hole would not only change the trajectory of this project, it would change the trajectory of my life.

I wasn’t very deep into my wildlife research before one thing became apparent. The deeper I dug into the lives of these amazing, wild creatures, the deeper I dug myself into a state of depression. Suddenly, that child-like enthusiasm felt more like child-like naivety, and I was struck with an overwhelming sense of shame and fear. There was no way to soften the blow, no sugar-coating, and no way to sweep it under the rug. I tried to convince myself that I was shocked by the atrocities inflicted on these innocent creatures by my fellow man, but deep down I knew that was a lie. I couldn’t, in good conscience, plead ignorance.

I have always been a firm believer that those who stand by idly in the face of evil are just as complicit. I set out to glorify God, to honor His creation, to make a difference. My efforts seemed futile, to say the least. If all of the time, energy, and resources I poured into this project couldn't make a difference for one single animal, then what am I doing this for? I was disgusted at the state of the world today, and I was disgusted with myself for not doing anything to change it. I felt foolish for believing that my little coloring book of cute animals, “fun fact” sheets, and Bible verses was enough to glorify God and celebrate His creation. This was “art without a purpose.”

Despite all of these terrible revelations, I knew I had to finish the book. I made a commitment to myself, and more importantly, to God, and I had to honor that commitment. I had already completed well over 40 illustrations, so I decided not to add the research portion of the book, and I began collating all of the illustrations and Scripture. By the time I completed the final layout, the page count was at 92 pages, and I knew this may be a problem. I had recently published another faith-based coloring book called “Ancient Coloring Journeys, Volume I: Book of The Watchers.” This book was my very first book, and it was a huge endeavor. The final layout was 140 pages of graphic illustrations and a chapter-by-chapter story and study guide. Due to the unusually large page count of that book, the production options were very limited. I was very disappointed at the lack of premium paper and printing options available, especially after all of the work I put into creating it. This time, I was determined to find a better way to publish my work.

With my project on hold and no solution on the horizon, I had plenty of free time to relax and reset. Under normal circumstances, this would be great news. But the way I was feeling, all of the free time in the world still wouldn’t bring any peace of mind. I couldn’t seem to get rid of the big, fat, critically endangered elephant in the room. I was feeling restless, and I couldn’t shake the constant, lingering urge to continue my research. Was I punishing myself? Was this a twisted form of self-harm? Maybe. Either way, I came to the conclusion that if this is the reality for the animals we share our world with, the least I could do is not turn away from their suffering. The moment I finished that thought, an unexpected feeling of peace washed over me… followed by what can only be described as a “fire.” The more cruelty and injustice I uncovered, the angrier I became. But this wasn’t your typical, everyday kind of anger. This was foreign. This was liberating. This was HEALTHY anger. I was done being a bystander. Just like that! All I had to do was find a way to help fight against deforestation, poachers, and the illegal animal trade… from home… without any money or resources… while glorifying God and celebrating the beauty of creation. Should be easy, right??!

Seeing as I had absolutely no experience with conservation efforts, and literally ZERO idea where to begin, I had pretty much one viable option. I had to fake it til I make it!

Okay, okay! I know what you’re thinking… before you close the book, just hear me out. I mean, you might as well, you’ve already made it this far!

I turned to social media and YouTube to educate myself and see what people already involved in conservation were doing. I needed to understand where someone like me could fit into all of this. I had no experience, no funding, and absolutely no qualifications for chasing poachers through a rainforest. I did, however, have an internet connection, an alarming number of unfinished responsibilities, and a newfound inability to mind my own business. So, I kept learning.

Somewhere along the way, I began to reconsider what I had dismissed as “my little coloring book.” I had spent all of this time researching these animals, getting lost in the details of their faces, their feathers, their fur, and the extraordinary ways they were designed to live. They had become more than subjects for illustrations. I cared about them. And the more I learned, the more I cared. Could that same thing happen for someone else?

What if someone opened my book because they wanted to color a beautiful animal, and left wanting to know more about it? What if the information I had nearly removed was the very thing that could make that happen? A coloring page could be an introduction. The story beside it could give someone a reason to care about a creature they had never given much thought to before. Suddenly, those research pages didn’t seem so optional.

I wanted to share the wonder that had drawn me to these animals in the first place. But I also wanted to be honest about what was happening to them, the pressures on their habitats, and the people working to protect them. I knew how overwhelming that information could feel. I wanted readers to have somewhere to go with that feeling—a way to learn more, to get involved, or to help.

Ancient Coloring Journeys was still a small brand, but it was something I could build on. I had artwork. I had a story to tell. I could use the books, my website, and whatever audience I was able to reach to bring ecological awareness into the conversation. I didn’t have to wait until I had a bigger platform to decide what I wanted that platform to stand for. And I wanted to take that commitment one step further.

That is where Junglekeepers became part of the vision for Colors of Creation. I decided to create a special edition volume with a fundraising purpose: to raise donations in support of their conservation work. The Ranger Edition would give me a way to connect the work I could do from home with the work being done to protect the natural world. For the first time in a long time, I could see a next step. There were still practical questions to answer, and plenty of things I would have to learn. But I finally had a direction for all of that anger, all of that research, and all of those late nights.

Looking back, I don’t think it was fair to call the original book “art without a purpose.” There was love in those pages. There was faith, and wonder, and a sincere desire to honor the Creator. Those things still belong in this project. What changed was my understanding of the commitment I had made. The more closely I looked at creation, the more I felt called to take responsibility for how I responded to its suffering. For me, celebrating its beauty had grown into a desire to help protect it.

I had started this journey asking how I could use the gifts God gave me to make a difference. I was finally beginning to find my answer.