Key Takeaways
- Nanaimo‑based author and artist Don Ravensbergen creates patriotic colouring books that celebrate Canada’s provinces, territories, and natural beauty.
- His artistic journey began in high school, waned after graduation, and was rekindled through weekend scuba‑diving excursions and marine‑cleanup volunteer work.
- The first two self‑published titles, Vancouver Island: Colour my Seas of Green (2021) and Pets are People Too (2021), focused on local marine life and the human‑animal bond.
- Later works—Country Canada Colour Me Beautiful! and British Columbia Canada Colour My Province Beautiful—expand the scope to a national perspective, featuring each province and territory with factual summaries at the end of each book.
- Ravensbergen distributes his books through a variety of local retailers, including The Children’s Treehouse, Well Read Books, Island‑ish, Pumpkin Pie Kids, Sundown Diving, and Nanaimo Dive Outfitters.
Introduction to the Artist and His Patriotic Series
Don Ravensbergen, a Nanaimo resident, has become known for a series of colouring books that blend artistic expression with Canadian pride. Though he began his creative path drawing the aquatic life surrounding Vancouver Island, his portfolio has grown to encompass the entire country. Titles such as Country Canada Colour Me Beautiful! and British Columbia Canada Colour My Province Beautiful showcase his dedication to highlighting the landscapes, industries, and cultural symbols that define each region. By self‑publishing his work, Ravensbergen retains full control over the content and design, allowing him to tailor each book to both artistic and educational goals.
Early Artistic Beginnings in High School
Ravensbergen’s fascination with art took root during his high‑school years, where he enrolled in numerous art classes and spent countless hours sketching and experimenting with different media. He recalls being “very interested in art” and enjoying the structured environment that school provided for nurturing his talent. However, after graduation, life’s demands led him to set aside his artistic pursuits for a period, and he drifted away from regular drawing and painting. This hiatus lasted several years, during which he focused on other interests and responsibilities.
The Role of Scuba Diving in Reigniting His Passion
It was Ravensbergen’s return to the water—specifically, his weekend scuba‑diving routine—that sparked a revival of his creative drive. Diving locally around Nanaimo and participating in marine‑marina cleanups in nearby Parksville reconnected him with the vibrant underwater world he had once illustrated as a teenager. He explains, “I would have to say diving was what brought me back to the artistic part of myself.” The immersion in marine ecosystems not only provided fresh visual inspiration but also reinforced his appreciation for environmental stewardship, a theme that subtly informs his later work.
First Self‑Published Title: Vancouver Island: Colour my Seas of Green
In 2021, Ravensbergen launched his inaugural self‑published colouring book, Vancouver Island: Colour my Seas of Green. The volume concentrates on the flora and fauna unique to the island’s coastal waters, featuring detailed line drawings of fish, invertebrates, kelp forests, and shoreline scenes. By focusing on a familiar locale, he was able to test his self‑publishing process, refine his illustration style, and gauge community response. The book’s reception encouraged him to continue producing thematic colouring volumes that marry art with local ecology.
Expanding the Catalogue: Pets are People Too
Later in the same year, Ravensbergen released Pets are People Too, a light‑hearted shift from marine subjects to the beloved companions that share people’s homes. This book showcases a variety of domestic animals—dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and reptiles—engaged in everyday activities that highlight their personalities and the bonds they form with owners. While seemingly unrelated to his earlier ocean‑centric work, the title reflects his broader interest in celebrating life’s diverse forms, whether they dwell beneath the waves or within living rooms.
National Scope: Country Canada Colour Me Beautiful!
Building on his initial success, Ravensbergen created Country Canada Colour Me Beautiful!, a patriotic project that stretches beyond Vancouver Island to encompass the entire nation. The book contains illustrations representing each of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories, capturing iconic landmarks, natural vistas, and cultural motifs. From the rugged coastlines of Atlantic Canada to the expansive prairies of the central provinces and the majestic mountains of the West, the drawings invite readers to explore the country’s geographic diversity while adding their own colour.
Provincial Focus: British Columbia Canada Colour My Province Beautiful
A companion piece, British Columbia Canada Colour My Province Beautiful, zeroes in on the artist’s home province. Ravensbergen describes BC as “so beautiful,” emphasizing its varied landscapes—rainforests, mountains, lakes, and coastline—as well as its economic drivers. He notes the presence of both traditional industries, such as forestry, and emerging sectors like tourism and light manufacturing. By weaving these elements into the book’s imagery, he offers a holistic view of what makes British Columbia distinctive, encouraging residents and visitors alike to appreciate its multifaceted identity.
Educational Components Embedded in the Books
Beyond the visual appeal, Ravensbergen integrates factual information to transform his colouring books into learning tools. At the conclusion of Country Canada Colour Me Beautiful!, he includes several pages dedicated to each province and territory, covering statistics such as population, land area, capital cities, official flowers, and notable characteristics. This educational appendix allows readers, especially children, to consolidate what they have coloured with concrete knowledge about Canada’s regional diversity. The same approach appears in the BC‑focused title, where provincial facts accompany the illustrations, reinforcing the link between artistic engagement and informational retention.
Distribution and Community Presence
Ravensbergen makes his books accessible through a network of local retailers that align with his interests in arts, education, and outdoor recreation. Copies can be found at The Children’s Treehouse, Well Read Books, Island‑Books, Island‑ish, Pumpkin ish, Pumpkin Pie Kids, Sundown Diving, and Nanaimo Dive Outfitters. These venues range from specialty bookshops and toy stores to dive shops, reflecting the dual nature of his work as both artistic expression and a celebration of marine and provincial heritage. By partnering with establishments that share his community‑oriented values, he ensures that his books reach audiences who are likely to appreciate both their creative and educational merits.
Reflections on Impact and Future Direction
Although the source material does not detail specific sales figures or awards, Ravensbergen’s ongoing commitment to self‑publishing and his repeated return to thematic projects suggest a sustained passion for sharing his love of Canada through art. His process—starting with personal inspiration drawn from diving and marine conservation, evolving into provincially and nationally focused colouring books, and culminating in educational supplements—demonstrates a thoughtful approach to creative outreach. As he continues to distribute his work through local shops and engage with readers at events, Ravensbergen likely aims to foster greater appreciation for Canada’s natural beauty, cultural diversity, and the simple joy of colouring as a conduit for learning and relaxation.