Coloring the Coast

For Molly Carson, the coast has always been more than a vacation spot—it’s a creative home base.

Her family’s summers began in places like Long Beach Island and Cape May before settling into a rhythm at the Delaware beaches. About a decade ago, that connection deepened when home became Ocean View, a place that continues to shape her art today.

“It’s just always been part of who I am,” Molly says of the ocean.

That lifelong pull toward the water now flows through By the Seaside Coastal Coloring Book: 60 Patterns to Transport You to Your Happy Place (Better Day Books/Schiffer Books), a skillfully designed collection of black-and-white illustrations that blends marine science, coastal life and a touch of whimsy.

Creative Flow
Molly recently graduated from Penn State, where she studied wildlife and fisheries science with a minor in marine biology. That academic background finds its way into her drawings—from fish and marine life to intricate underwater scenes—adding authenticity to the relaxing, beachy aesthetic.

“I’ve always had a passion for the ocean and marine life,” she says. “A lot of the ocean drawings and fish designs come from what I’ve learned through my major.”

But this isn’t a field guide in disguise. Alongside realistic sea life are mermaids, flowing wave patterns and playful, quote-filled designs that celebrate coastal living.

“I like drawing fantasy and whimsical things,” Molly says. “If I can add that in and balance something scientific with something more imaginative, that’s my favorite.”

Molly began developing coloring book illustrations in high school, when she was drawn to the calming focus of line art. She still starts the same way today: with pencil and paper.

“I don’t like drawing directly on my iPad,” she says. “I sketch everything first in a notebook, then photograph it and trace it into Procreate.”

During her junior year of college, as coursework intensified, creating the designs became a welcome reset.
“It’s very therapeutic for me,” she says. “It was a nice break from academics to be able to draw.”

This spirit carries through the book’s thoughtful extras: perforated pages, color-planning worksheets and prompts that encourage readers to reflect on and care for the marine world.