How it all began...

 The story began when I headed out to the coast to do some thinking after I left my job. Again, I was looking for guidance and direction from my Higher Spirit, because I did not know where or what to do next with my life.

Russian Gulch is an area just north of Jenner, CA.I parked my old Ford in a small,not-so-obvious turnout off the coast road and began hiking through the underbrush towards the ocean which I could hear in the distance. After walking approximately one quarter of a mile,you reach a clearing and inlet where a small stream of water will block your entrance to the beach when the tide comes in. Some people will throw logs and branches to make a bridge to the beach, but It probably is just as easy to roll your pants up and take your shoes off to wade closer to the shoreline. The surf crashes hard on this private little beach that is enclosed both on the north and south sides. It is only about one hundred yards in length.

Most of the rocks here are smooth and plentiful, as the tides have pounded over them for centuries.I picked one up and thought about how life washes over each one of us... smoothing our rough edges.I noticed how good it felt in my hand, and how it helped me center my thoughts.At once, I felt at peace and knew instinctively that everything was going to be okay no matter what direction I chose to take. Late in the afternoon, I stuck a few of these rocks in my pocket and headed back to my car.The ride home was exhilarating as my mind entertained pleasant memories of times spent near the Russian River area in summer's past.The warm days and balmy evenings playing miniature golf and going to teen dances are the stuff of youthful dreams.

Later when I arrived home, I emptied my pockets and began to paint one of the rocks with some metallic paints I had around. Once it dried, It looked really beautiful and so I took other colors and started to decorate it. The acrylic paint adhered very nicely to the surface of the rock and it occurred to me that a small amount of glitter may embellish it nicely. Lastly, I had some glow-in-the dark paint and began adding small dabs to see how well that took to the rock. It worked beautifully.

Turning the lights off, it looked like the rock's own spirit was emanating from inside as I held a flashlight to the white, glowing paint.Gradually the glow would fade and re-emerge depending on how long I held it under the light. Lastly, I sprayed a varnish on the outside to coat and protect all the layers of paint and glitter.Now I really had something to behold !

I began giving these away to friends and acquaintances as personal gifts, that they could keep or pass on as they wished. Naturally,they contain only the good fortune and power you want to give it, as it is held in your hand.It is not known where it's journey will end. Perhaps at Russian Gulch, where it was initially found.All I know is that it gives me a lot of joy to decorate them and pass them along.

Below is this week's 'Rock of the Week"...

As I sit here...

 I'm not painting rocks.However, I haven't given up on it yet.Two were painted and finished with a nice coat of resin today. Even though the glow-in-the dark feature was a revelation in the beginning, it too gets old after awhile. Today's rock is of an lake scene with mountains in the background and a small beachfront at the bottom. Both sides are painted, one for day and one for night ( or at least sunset). Sometimes, to draw right on the rock itself is helpful so as to not discover something ill-intended somewhere towards the finish of the piece. Drawing and painting on surfaces besides rocks is a direction that is currently more appealing to me. However, the rock biz continues because i need to to it to stay ahead of the monthly bills.

Today, it has been hot inside and it can be added that the laundry is done, so things are copacetic.This weekend is a two market adventure that I always look forward to. Have a great weekend everyone. Stay safe!

Don't take Gratitude for Granted

  Sometimes I will be relaxing on the couch in complete gratitude for my life today. Nothing has to change in order for things to be just the way they are. If it's troubling or emotional, gratitude for being able to feel these feelings is essential. 

 What is God trying to tell me? What is the positive lesson here? Let's start by focusing on gratitude and the lesson it has to offer. In other words, not to take this state of being for granted. Gratitude is a gift from God.

Having gratitude is not about it being the right frame of mind at a specific time. We can change our minds at any moment.

So, how can I be grateful when all around their is nothing but darkness and pain. Our perspective can change. I would like to believe that there is a purpose for having patience and tolerance, even when it is seemingly impossible to accept this, let alone practice this. 

Life does suck ! 

Perhaps our real experience deep within is that we are in a state of ecstacy, and that we are supressing it to a level that is comfortable for us!

Lastly, Nothing is really beyond our own experience of what is happening in the moment. The future is about to reveal itself... as you read this.

Below is this week's "Rock of the Week". These two are pictures of the same pendant...

Under the glow

 in Daylight

Slowing Down

 Stop is such a final work effort. Wha tthe heck dows thad mean/ 

 As you might be able to tell, I just woke up.Still trying to pull it together. My writing skills are something that can overtake me, and my keyboard doesn't always co-operate. This apple keyboard is only 11 inches long and just like my Iphone, you need little "Rat Fingers" to type.

 I am enjoying a cup of coffee with tumeric, cinnamon, Ryze™, Laird's Super Creamer™, Hemp milk and powered Swiss Miss™ creamer... what a combo.It gets the stream of conciousness going and kicks things into high gear. Some writers are very selective about thier words instead of trusting the stream of conciousness that flows naturally from thier minds; None of which has anything to do with the cup of coffee I'm enjoying. 

 My best friend from high school has sent me a text that he had an electric cardiogram taken yesterday after he had A-fib. I'm new to this terminology, so when a picture of him lying on a gurney in a hospital was sent to me, it got my attention.I have no idea what the prognosis, diagnosis or if any of these noses are any of my business.I've prayed and am hoping for a speedy recovery, whatever that means.

Right now, I looked away from the keyboard to a magnet on my refrigerator that has a bunch of hearts printed on it. I stopped to realize that I am observing a magnet that is adhered to the refrigerator door and that I am noticing it.Now I am looking at the blinking cursor as I continue to type. Facinating stuff, huh?

My hope is that their is an English major or some copy editor who is reading this and is having a field day restructering my spelling, sentences and punctuation. Have at it.

The image below is another sample of a Neurographics experiment . Incidentally, I'm still on hiatus and will be until further notice.

Over and out.

Hiatus

 Today is July 9, 2024 and I am planning a hiatus. The reason being is that I need a respite from the committee that has filing a affidavit in my head.In other words, the voices that have been dictating my next move have been relentless, and I'm doing an about face by telling them to cool their jets.

However, this is not all fantasy.Change is the order of the day and Now is time, which is spontaneous and in no need of rehersal, coaching or scriptwriting to assist this sprinter out of his block. Incidentally, the 2024 Paris Olympics begin in two weeks!

So, no rock sales will be taking place this weekend in Calistoga or Sebastopol.If you are interested in purchasing a rock, you can reach me directly via email, text or call. I hope that you have a wonderful, joyous and fulfilling summer.

Below is just a sample of my latest creative pursuit...

It's called  "Plant Life"

Optics and Illusions

Do you like optical illusions? As a youngster, looking at something in a way that altered my perception was intriquing to say the least. Even now, while surfing the net, one can find some videos of  Illusory Imagery Check it out. One might even consider this illusion hallucinogenic ... and no mind altering substances are necessary to appreciate it!

The following painting was done by Russian Artist Yuriy Matrosov

 

Although the picture above is not really an optical illusion...in way it is. Trompe L' Oeil ( to fool the eye ) trys to give the illusion of something three dimensional and to place it on a two dimensional surface.Drop shadows are sometimes used to make an image pop off of the surface underneath.

This "Dragons Eye" is always fun to do on larger rocks. The surface has to be flat enough, yet rotund enough to make the eye look real. These have been done these in the past, and are always a bit challenging in trying to get a dimensional and glassy look from the painting. This is this week's "Rock of the Week'.

A Mystery to be lived

"Life is a mystery to be lived, and not a problem to be solved." This quote from Adriana Trigiani echoes what seems to have been happening lately.I've had a tooth pulled, a cracked windshield replaced, and a hot water heater go kapoot. I've also been eating lots of vegetables and trying to get a good night's sleep.What does any of this have to do with the price of tea in China? Metaphors and symbolism has always intriqued me. Everything always seems to have so much meaning, yet is still so mysterious!

When something is put into words, our interpretation of those words trigger images and ideas that are questionably either positive or negative. Yet all our thoughts are malleable. Just as much as the previous paragraph can be considered jibberish, it probably still brings ideas and images to the fore.

 Do you ever stop and ask yourself, " Why did a picture and thought about a gazebo just pop into my head? Can you trace it back? Was it a memory, a complete thought or merely a passing one ? Did it contribute to a certain belief or cherished opinion? These are thoughts that I've been having about having thoughts lately. Oy! (The committee always seems to be in session). Does this mind even have a mind of it's own?

Having a source for one's thoughts will fortify our opinions for sure. Making an assessment, evaluation or observation will keep us from making a judgement which invariably will cause a reaction if voiced. Socrates questioned everything. Not a bad way to proceed. Another way is to keep one's silence and be thought of as "Ignorant" ( or conversely wise or humble ) than, as Abraham Lincoln would say " Open one's mouth and remove all doubt !"

Below, is this weeks Rock of the week...

Do fish bark? Hmmm...

Living a day at a time

    At times I tend to get ahead of myself. With the advent of the Internet, time gets corralled and it is easy to get distracted , even when following up on a simple task. The iPhone has proven to be a powerful device. It has changed everyone's life for better and for worse.

    However, this blog is not about that. The progress I've made as an artist has grown. Yesterday, I got involved with a paper marbleling class at our local Art Center. It was a wonderful diversion.Learning a new process has kept me engaged creatively in another medium besides acrylics and rocks.

    The process of making and manifesting pleasing outcomes involves following ones intuition in my opinion.Taking a moment (yes, this moment) Instead of future tripping or dwelling on the past, has lead me in unknown directions and adventurous episodes, both in my studio and out in society. 

    Peaks and valleys during the creative process will always arrive in unexpected ways, both having and intrinsic value all their own.Trying to burrow myself out of frustration doesn't work for me. Especially when I find myself paralyzed before attempting another project.Going into acceptance mode does.Trying too hard to control the situation at hand is usually fruitless.Calling someone, going for a bike ride, visiting a museum or whatever; will free things up considerably. 

    In other words, chosing my valleys just as they are, and doing what is next ( and not putting it off ) has helped.When I lay my head on the pillow at night, it can be said that at least an attempt has been made in allowing a solution to be revealed.Sometimes it is just a matter of staying patient and putting things off until later... sometimes not.

    If all of this sounds like sage advice, it is what just what has worked for me. In no way do I speak for others in their quest for excellence, or even mere survival. Just keep on creating and feed your soul. Like the Nike commercial used to say, " Just do it!"

Below is this weeks "Rock of the week" 

( and a sample from the paper marbeling class I took )

The Summer Season begins

 Tomorrow will be the beginning of the Summer Market in Calistoga ( and also in Sebastopol for that matter ).It is really amazing how quickly the seasons fly by. As it turned out, the rains came and it was a total washout on Saturday. I was glad, because it gave me a chance to catch up on my inventory. For every rock I sell, I get to paint another one... a joy to behold.

 White painted rocks are my latest pursuit. I find that the design on top can be fun. It's turns out looking like heiroglyphics that one might find in an open dig somewhere in Mesopotamia.These rocks glow exceptionally well in the dark. Then, when placed on a glowing doiley, or in this case a "Joilie" ( as my friend Veda who made them has chosen to name them ) Which are made from glow-in-the-dark yarn that she took the time to crochet into a star pattern. Now this showcase rock is enhanced even more so. 

Here we present the "Rock of the Week"