The Rock of the Week

This weeks rock is one that has been around awhile. it's named the Metallic heart rock. The heart in the middle is actually made of coated card-stock that can be purchased at Michael's art supply store. It is holographic so you can see a rainbow pattern develop when it is exposed to the direct sunlight. The rest of the rock is painted with interference acrylic which lets the color base underneath shine through with a veneer of transparent color. This sheen can shift from one color to the next, say a pink to a blue. The last coat is a done with something new to my arsenal called Duraclear™. It is wetter in its appearance and when applied, will protect the rock with a durable transparent coat. It should be mentioned that this rock was on display at the Farmer's Market for some time, but did not sell.It was time to bring it back to the studio for some enhancement

The Rock of the Week

This week's rock painting I've returned to landscapes to hone my skills. They are on larger rocks that have been used in the past and have a nice symmetry. For this reason, I have found the perfect size and surface for the view of El Capitan from the Yosemite Valley. This painting was not painted from life. I used a reference picture as a guide. The results were satisfying enough. The non-traditional colors reflect a sensibility other artists have used in the past.

The Rock of the Week

This week's rock is what some may call a Whirlygig. A Whirlygig is a centering talisman that has yellow dots that seem to float nicely above a hypnotic spiral when viewed in the dark. The back of the rock has an invisible ink swirl that mimics what is on the other side. That spiral can only be seen under a UV blacklight. The size of the rock is 1"X2" and is very flat. Having one of these to carry around can serve as a meditation object. Some would call this a "Worry Stone". I am reluctant to use that term because it is very important to trust one's Higher Power. Trusting to the degree that all worry is banished from your mind and heart. The singer Bobby McFerrin would say, "Don't worry, Be Happy!" A positive sentiment that is too often dismissed as being frivolous.

Falling into Winter

Halloween week's activities have been a very busy time for me. Although quite a few rocks were painted to celebrate the Day of the Dead and All Hallow's Eve, my interest has been about cultivating new ideas to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. I have realized over time that the background and how to showcase the rocks are as equally important as the central figures themselves.

Lately, scanning some old drawings and modifying them in Adobe Photoshop™ has made it possible to include imagery that would otherwise be sitting in some portfolio deep in the back of my closet. The picture below is an example of that. The background is a sketch that looks remotely like the color pencil drawing done last year. Now it has taken on a fascinating new digital life!

The rock with the flower of life is a composite of two visual elements brought together on one rock. The piece is called "Purple push" and has been output on an Epson™ printer at letter size.This has become a sample of the new ideas that were mentioned earlier.

The Rock of the Week

Perhaps I should call this post "The Rock of the Month" because I have been negligent about posting my latest creations. That being said, it is my hope that you continue to come to visit this site or the "Your Spirit Rocks" Facebook page. The same rock is not always posted on each site. Nowadays, most people assume that if you are a crafter or local artist, you will have a Facebook page. True, the exposure there probably exceeds my web presence here, but this blog began in 2010 (check out my history) and I am pretty sure I started the Facebook thing about two years ago. Anyway, this weeks rock showcases a rather large rock that uses a concentric circle motif to represent the power of the sun.The question of global warming is very important, and to acknowledge the solar power was my intent in creating this rock.A high grade Phosphorescent paint was used to bring about a stunning, all night glow for this piece.

This Week's Rock of the Week

The flight of the Phoenix symbolizes the challenges many Californians have had undergone this past summer. The legend and mythology surrounding this image signify hope and renewal for many of the survivors of the catastrophes that continue to plague our modern day world. Firefighters, first responders, Doctors, Nurses, Social workers are all to be commended for their service.

The rock itself has the image of the Phoenix which is made from orange phosphorescent paint. The fire it is emerging from is made from orange fluorescent paint, which is bright but can only be highlighted in the dark under a UV light, which is how it looks here.

This Week's Rock of the Week

The Rock you see below is actually a piece of Selenite, which has a wonderful transparency. The blacklight really punches up the colors. The striped color rays surrounding the center star are a blue invisible ink that only appears under a blacklight. Notice this piece in regular light, and you can see the interference turquoise that covers the surface. The pointed dots surrounding the outside are made with Tulip™ glow paint. It is as volatile as Elmer's glue after it is applied. The slightest movements can cause it to ooze. The nozzle to the bottle gets clogged very easily too.

This Week's Rock of the Week

Decoupage is a technique I've been using from time to time. The image of the rose was a drawing/watercolor painting I did last month. The rose was scanned and brought into Photoshop where the color was enhanced and the image was resized to fit on a rock. Then the image was printed out on high-gloss,sticky-back paper. The rendered sticker was then adhered to the rock with E6000 glue and left to dry. The final step after adding embellishments was to clear-coat the entire rock with a coating of Triple Thick. This coating provides UV protection from the sun while keeping the color from fading. It also makes the rock look very shiny.

The Rock of the Week

This week's Rock is a continuation of a popular Mandala motif. As a sporadic meditator, holding a "Spirit Rock" can be useful in bringing about a sense of focus and stillness. The weight, shape, and texture of any rock are valuable features for this purpose. Sometimes, covering the rock with a scented oil may add to an awakening of the senses.

Last week, I went and purchased an aluminum ladder so that I can climb up on my roof to meditate after nightfall. The evenings have been pleasant and not too warm or cool this time of the year. Having a place and time to further this practice is important to me now. My hope is that others will find a way to creatively enhance what they know will bring about peace, joy, and serenity.

Surrounding myself with beauty and appreciation is one of the ways that I hope to achieve this. Anyone can attain these objectives if they follow the calling of their higher purpose. The determination of having a solid work ethic are not always necessary tools when maintaining the quality of beauty in your environment.