Something a little different

Thursday, March 5th. This is a workshop that will ony last a couple of hours but hopefully it will turnout to be an enjoyable time spent making wind mobiles. The fun thing about this is that we will be using old CD's and pieces of plexiglas. Naturally, you will get the bling during the day and the glow factor at night ( but then again, only with a UV blacklight which most of you know is a favorite device of mine ). The event is being held at our local art center which provides lots of space for all our creative endeavors.Anna Johannsen is a gifted and conscientous director and she always seems to have her hands full. I hope that the people that attend will find the experience to their liking. Below are samples of what one might expect as a finished piece.

Hearts a Plenty

 Having Friday the 13th coming before Valentine's day is a curious thing. Trying not to be superstitious, it still can be said that I was a bit hypervigilant that day. There was so much to be done and timing was essential in having things run smoothly.Two things were demanding my attention. One was the rock painting class to be held in St. Helena beginning at five p.m. The other was a Mardi Gras/Birthday party beginning at six (which was an invitation I was not going to decline ). So, what the heck... Just be fashionably late which turned out to be okay, because others were too.

    The rock painting class went smoothly and the participants included two young people who had their parents joining them in a creative activity. After an introduction and presenting a basic methods and materials overview, we got started. Some were ready to jump ahead in using whatever materials were available.Having brought a set of Posca™ Pens proved to be helpful for myself and others in drawing something representational on the rock. Hearts were a popular motif, given the upcoming sweetfest.

    Halfway through the two hour class, one of the young art novices had the misfortune of having her rock painting smudged when mom reached over to retrieve something on the table to facilitate her own creation.Suddenly, it became clear that hurt feelings and a sense of frustration overtook a project that had begun on such an enthusiastic note.

She ended up going outside to regroup, and my attempts to bring her back in weren't helping.Time takes time. 

    Eventually, she did come back in but remained quiet.Others attempted to redecorate the rock or at least bring it back to some semblance of cohesiveness. A Nice try but... No. This project was destined to be abandoned.Mom's attempts at reconciliation did not redeem the situation either, but things did turn around.

    One hope I had at having things end on a positive note was to offer her the rock that I had painted after requesting a straight across trade for her "former" rock. The deal was made, the class ended and most were pleased with their own personalized rock.

    Lastly, I did make it to the Mardi Gras party, and it turned out to be a fabulous feast. Our neighbors, Carmen and Tom turned their house into a New Orleans showcase along with several guests arriving in bedazzled attire.The Lobster, Shrimp and Crawdads were over the top delicious! These folks really know how to do it up.

Thanks to Amy, Alex,Elvie and all the "Rock Starrs" from the Art Collective.

Then...Having a Happy Mardi Gras/Birthday Celebration at Tom and Carmen's house

Episode 41

 The picture below is from a photo I saw about the Kiluea volcano that is currently erupting on the Big Island in Hawaii. My neice Elizabeth has had the residue floating down from the sky over her home for some time now. It is like fiberglass or so I am told. This has been quite an adventure that has been going on for some time now. January has witnessed several episodes that are now up in the 40's. Facebook has been keeping us updated on it's progress.

2026, Oh yea. Happy happy. I'm going to just write (or type) using a stream of conciousness in expressing stuff. Everything that pops into my head is in some way trying to formulate ideas that can be modified or made into something tangible. I can envision, manipulate or create from nothing. So can you. Recently the Calistoga Art Center has invited me to feature another workshop about creating mobiles. It sounds like fun, and I'm looking forward to it. It will be happening on March 5th, so there is still time to enroll through Park and Recs, if you are interested in attending.

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching, so I've taken some time making a few dazzlers for your sweetie. The flip side has hearts emblazzoned with another heart motif in invisible ink, just for that extra surprise.These will be on sale at this Saturday's Farmer's Market in Calistoga, so come on by and claim yours!

Kiluea was done with watercolor and Prismacolor pencils. So you can see that rock painting isn't my only passion. But hey, the rocks are still bringing home the bacon.

Below are the "Rocks of the Week"

More Rock Stars

Today the Calistoga Art Center featured another Rock Painting Class. The turn out was great ! There was even another male besides myself that helped round things out. The group showed up close to 10am and everyone got a name tag to make it easier to get acquainted. There were plenty of supplies on hand, and most everyone were given two rocks to paint.

When the class began I mentioned that we had a few who had attended a class I had before, and as some people raised their hands, we called the class "Rock Painting 101" for the newcomers, and the oldtimers were seasoned veterans to be considered as "Rock Painting 2.0" . When I said oldtimers, someone thought I had said Alzheimers, and wanted correction. This got a laugh and then a few others giggled and raised their hands. It was a fun group and we got started right on time.

No one was taking themselves too seriously. Everyone started with a rock which they painted with a base coat. The next step was tricky because the acrylic paint had to dry before adding the puff paint, which is also acrylic. Many of the participants were getting streaks in the paint after applying too much, or the rocks already painted were not dry enough. Thankfully, we found that one of the heaters in the room was blowing hot air onto a table.Then, after locating a hair dryer, we solved that problem.

The next step was applying dots to the rock without having the puff paint spit or blob out of the container.Mistakes were made but all in all, designs began to emerge. Some folks painted figures like trees flowers or birds. Others got into make mandala patterns. When this was completed, we took the rocks outside into the sunshine to spray coat the rock with a clear UV varnish. That was it.

Everyone remarked about how much fun it was and expressed interest in coming back to the next event.

Below are pictures of the participants...

Amy, Alex and Jen ~ The assistants and fellow Rock Stars

Susan and her two lovely creations

Rocks drying in the sun after receiving a clear coat of varnish

Everyone getting into the rock "Zone" 

      

Deborah's Fish, "Fiona" 

                                                                                                                                                                

                                            

Amy and Alex's glowing rocks 

An Inside Job

      If you were to ask me what is the most charged word in the English language, I would have to say self. It's been said that if we can find joy in another's joy, and that is the secret to happiness. The opposite can also be true. To seek joy in what we perceive to be our selves may hold the answer to some of life's most puzzling questions. What is this thing called joy, and is it a thing?

 Acceptance has been the key to having things be other than the way they seem to be, but it has to start with accepting things exactly the way that they are, and the way they are not. Otherwise, we will only sabotage attempts at getting to acceptance, and eventual growth.

Perhaps we are already in the state of ecstasy, and we suppress it to a level with which we are comfortable. Hmmmm...

Having outside appearances can fool ourselves and others, whether they be physical or psychological. Staying curious about these appearances will reveal more about our own perception.

    Begin by telling your self the truth about feelings (i.e. choose to experience the experience) Don't fool your self into thinking you don't have a choice in this regard. You do, even if you have convinced your self that you don't. 

Seeking will run you in circles until you find surcease, or until you find someone who shares your journey.

Ultimately, all things will pass, and you will probably grow more mature from having had an experienced experience . This "ah-ha" realisation has assisted me in finding stability and security where I would otherwise be trying to seek these states of being outside of my self. All the more reason to go within.

It is true that others will mirror back to us what we mostly don't like in ourselves, as well as what we do.

The truth contains it's opposite ( is this always a balancing act? )

Below is this week's "Rock of the Week" . It is a tribute to the Wolf Moon which is a super moon occurring during the first week of the new year.

More Rock Stars!

 It was a lot of fun getting together to paint rocks last Friday.Claire Elise Barton provided the ideal space for this holiday event. The workshop lasted for around two hours but a lot of information was packed in, along with a list of supplies that many of the artists found useful. Tea, candy and cookies were provided to sweeten the experience. Those that arrived were very much enthusiastic about getting started and were quick to jump into the process.

We began by painting the rocks with a base coat of black or white. Holding the rocks by the sides was tricky when trying to figure out a way to cover the whole rock without leaving fingerprints that had to be painted over when the first coat dried. Needless to say, this was a learning process.

The next stage, was applying the various colors and designs using a high quality metallic acrylic that really made these stones glisten. The next stage was the puff paint which came in the two varieties... flourescent  and phosphorescent . Do you know the difference? ( There will be a test later )

Lastly after extensive drying using heat guns, it was suggested that we use a selection of clear coat varnishes to complete the project. This step would be applied the next day when the stones would be bone dry ( hopefully). In any event, everyone carefully took their rocks home with them in the hopes of having a nice keepsake to pass on or have for themselves.

Merry Christmas to Alex, Chloe, Marrs, Kathy, Claire and the Starrs Art Collective for a joyous evening.

Oh my!

 Uh, you mean people are actually reading this? Yikes! Suddenly, I feel that I'm like Oprah giving out new cars on her talk show. 

    I'd like say this, but at this point I can't. The rent is due, and the rocks have to be sold. Truth be told, I love painting rocks, but after fifteen years, maybe I should be teaching others how to paint their own, and how to enjoy this process.

    So. guess what!? I have two classes coming up. One on the 12 of this month at Starr's collective in St. Helena (see the flyer below) and Rock painting 2.0 at the Calistoga Art Center come January. If your are interested in taking the first class you can still sign up. Just tap this link to register...

Starr's Art Collective

It will be fun, and all the materials will be supplied and it's only two hours.

So without any further ado... here is this week's 

"Rock of the Week!"

Thanksgiving (and giving thanks) for forgiveness

    It can be difficult at times, but the effort always seems to pay off. Trying to be thankful for what's been given and what has been taken is a balancing act.

    Without waxing too philosophical; Gratitude is the common watchword when it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving.We hear about having an "Attitude of gratitude" from those offering sage advice.In a culture of comparison, gratitude can have a tough time of it. I always try to keep my witticisms in check. An attitude can just be a position I take, it's not the final word.

    Thanksgiving can bring out the best when families get together celebrating with one another. The less obvious in these gatherings, is the over-extending graciousness that can mask controversy.

    The hot topic around here are the three speed bumps installed on Lake Street. These so-called safety measures have become a sign of the accelerating times we now live in. Drive fast, break an axle.Drive slow, maintain the peace.

    Brother and sisters, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, we are all in this together. Is this the best time to let "Sleeping dogs lie"? Acceptance and allowance of anothers perspective is essential in keeping the peace, and having thick skin will fend off donnybrooks from escalating. 

    Anger looks for a target. Keep in mind that over-indulgence in alcohol is not always the culprit, either. Flying accusations along with slammed fists send not only dishes jumping, but guests uh...leaving. 

    When hot topics are introduced, always consider the source...and remember the point of any good argument is to reach a proposal. A general consensus is reached usually when it is time for the guests to leave. After all, even turkey will begin to stink given time.

    Gratitude for a plausibly fortuitous outcome, and mercy itself begins with forgiveness...and in most instances, forgiving oneself for a simple faux pas, or other embarrassing foolishness. Our forgiveness is not contingent upon any unctuous pleading. No one likes to be "Holding the bag" as it were, when asking for such. When all is forgiven, that is the beginning of trust.

    The vulnerabilty that it takes to allow real forgiveness is the epitiome of strength, both for the one offering forgiveness and the one receiving it.

Below is this week's "Rock of the Week"  Momma Blissta!

It's been awhile...

 Yes, I admit that this blog has not been updated since the beginning of October. I've had what might be called, "A full plate" of activities that have kept me busy and barely afloat ( like the rest of us ). My heart goes out to all those who find themselves in a tight perdicament with regard to the recent economic picture . It seems that the rich continue to get richer and... well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

October has been productive to say the least. I've MADE the time to further my craft and generate new ways of earning a little more $$$.The lastest endeavor is something called "Calistogies" which are chocolate candy cigars made by a wonderful Chocolatier whose name is Kat. She and I got together and now i am packaging these goodies and selling them both at the local farmer's market, The Chamber of Commerce and Papa Lou's store here in Calistoga!

Other than this, "Your Spirit Rocks!" are now being featured at the local artist's collective called Starrs mentioned in last month's blog., which is down the road in St. Helena. Claire and Starr have put together this wonderful gallery that is bringing in a wealth of local talent. It's certainly worth a visit.

Lastly, several of the products that I feature at my booth continue to enthrall many new customers. Aside from the keychains,pendants,nightlights, spinner rocks,mobiels and assorted gift rocks, I now have a side bin with some of the drawings and paintings that i've compiled over the years.

I hope to stay on top of this blog in the days to come, but hey... 

Below are my most recent "Rocks of the Week" 

( which may include next week, and the weeks to come )