In March of 2020, Governor Whitmer ordered a statewide quarantine that ended up spanning 70 days. During that 70 days, David Kranker Creative started a new creative endeavor. David took his DSLR camera downtown and captured photos of various iconic locations throughout Grand Rapids. David then reached out to local businesses asking for photos and dug through his photo archive to find a few pre-COVID pictures. Over the span of four months, David carefully illustrated all of the Grand Rapids photos compiled to create a unique Grand Rapids coloring book: Color GR.
Color GR is a labor of love and an illustrated celebration of the greatest city in the United States. Nowhere else can you find such a unique combination of natural beauty and man-made urban charm. David moved to Grand Rapids in 2018 from Chicago and immediately fell in love with the city and the West Side of Michigan. The sand dunes along the coast of Lake Michigan provide a wonderful hiking escape in the summer. The city’s vibrant restaurant scene ensures there’s always a variety of delicious food options to choose from. Furthermore, the local parks like Millennium Park, John Collins Park, and Lookout Park provide a nice place to sit and draw creative inspiration. David Kranker Creative is excited to announce the official release of the Grand Rapids coloring book.
About The Grand Rapids Coloring Book Project
Color GR started as a quarantine project. The pandemic divided many and financially crushed a lot of local businesses. The goal of the coloring book was to unite family and friends with the shared activity of coloring while also calling to attention all of the local businesses and things that make this city great. Photos of almost every iconic Grand Rapids location were captured and illustrated. The book took over four months to complete, but is now finally finished and available for sale.
Color GR Features
The Color GR includes over 25 pages of local GR scenery to color. Iconic locations such as La Grande Vitesse, the Blue Bridge, Rosa Parks Circle, and the Love statue are all included. In addition to public parks and monuments, the coloring book also features many local businesses and organizations. You’ll be able to color photos of the following local businesses:
- Meijer
- Fredrik Meijer Gardens
- The Grand Rapids Public Museum
- The Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Founders Brewing Co.
- Brewery Vivant
- Great Lakes Pub Cruiser
- The Grand Castle Apartment Homes
- John Ball Zoo
- The Gerald R. Ford Museum
- Meyer May House
- Fulton Street Farmers Market
- The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
You’ll be able to color all of these Grand Rapids locations to match their real-world counterparts. Alternatively, you can give these locations your own spin. Maybe you’d like to see what the Blue Bridge would look like if it were orange, or maybe you’d like to create your own rendition of Starry Night above La Grande Vitesse. The only limit with this coloring book is your own imagination.
The coloring book is perfect for Grand Rapids natives, former residents, and current residents who have a soft spot for the city with many names. No matter whether you call it Furniture City, Beer City, or River City, Grand Rapids will always be home. Color GR is great for a coloring date night activity, a family day inside, or a de-stress night in. You can color by yourself, or with your children, family, or friends. This coloring book – like our wonderful city – was meant to be shared.
Order The Coloring Book
Color GR is available for order. You can shop the coloring book on the Color GR website. The coloring book is also available on Etsy. If you have any questions about the book, the creation process, or David Kranker Creative, you can contact David today by filling out a contact form or calling (312) 931-7803.
