Coffee with Robert

Today is Saturday and the rains came down around 10:30am here in Calistoga. The Farmer's Market looked really iffy, so Robert Redus and I decided to pack it in and go have coffee at the Calistoga Roastery©

We are both artists and vendors who support ourselves in this venue. His merchandise is Silver plated jewelry ( earrings, bracelets and such) hand-crafted from antique silver trays. The "Your Spirit Rocks™" booth features the hand-painted gift rocks. We both had a lot to share with one another.

Robert is quite a businessman and has demonstrated how to keep a log of sales and more importantly, how to break it down so that there is no wasted time and money. Thereby, turning a profit. This has been an education in progress. We talked a lot about the intricacies of the business and what to say and do when we set up our booths every Saturday to sell our wares. Today was not the day to do that. This weekend may be a "wash" in that regard.

We discussed why we do what we do, and how we support ourselves. We also mentioned our philosophy and business strategies... what works, and what doesn't. All in all, it was time well spent with a friend. Shown below is a direction of current interest. The Paintings that are showcased in the dark have been exciting. The glow factor has been a valuable component that is essential. Below are examples of that.These are called the "Fire Dancers"

Pure Fascination

Your Spirit Rocks™ can be said to be the gatekeepers of one's destiny. Some are used as talismans and have been around since the beginning of time. These foundation stones are the decorated veterans who have been availed to a higher purpose. Yet they are just rocks, some with more mineral value than others, yet still just rocks.

Every time you go to the coast there are always some there, Rocks and artists will find each other to form a bond through various mediums and design elements. If an artist stopped painting rocks, for instance, it is likely you would still find many combing over rivers and beaches to find their muse.

For many, art has become a means of survival. Especially these days, but it hasn't always been that way. Menial labor has robbed so many of a divine calling, most certainly those who follow an austerity necessary to focus on creative excellence.

Distraction and quests for security and financial independence can occupy one's time for decades. Cultivating an art form, on the other hand, can provide education, activity, and purpose that can be shared with a lot of different people. Expressing oneself on small surfaces such as flat stone has and will foster a spiritual connection that lasts. This has been a necessary component for personal growth.

Taking the time to observe the natural beauty of trees, rocks, and shells, for instance, is how peace gets seeded and grows. No one really wants to be confined, when beauty beckons one to places like a forest, river or beach. If one is confined, it's still enlightening to harken back to a simpler time through evocative imagery reflected by everything that has served to communicate. Art is like that.

Light and love become watchwords that are attributed to the pursuit of beauty. Think for a moment, of time alone when experiencing a captivating joy. Was it not the direct result of feeling the wonderment of life expressing itself in a natural way? Now is the time to continue your creative pursuit of such beauty. There is no higher aspiration in my opinion.

This weeks rock is one that will glow throughout the night when activated by any light. Colors are also apparent even without an accompanying black light.

Today's Rock

I call this one the "Bobby Dazzler" which was an Australian television series which ended in 1978. That was also a term which Australians use to denote "Bling". It can remind one of a fancy mafia pinky ring, or perhaps the ornate star nebula viewed through the ceiling of an Arabic mosque (yea, right). Truth be told, it is not too different from many of the meditation series of rocks that have been sold over the past few years.

As pretty as this rock appears under the blacklight, this design has gotten pretty boring to me and does not seem to tax my creative reservoir. In other words, these puppies can get cranked out fairly quickly. This does not take away from how much these rocks are valued, however. I would not be making them if it were not enjoyable to produce lots of them.

Most of the time during the day is spent coming up with new, relevant imagery, techniques, and mediums. Gift cards and small framed pieces have captured my interest lately, which will be posted here in the future. I sometimes find it puzzling to acknowledge that perhaps "multitasking" (i.e. distraction) can be considered part of the creative process.What do you think?

Second Thoughts

As much as a 5'X5'canopy may breathe new life into the Your Spirit Rocks!™ vendor's site, it has brought a few problems as well. The enclosure in effect is a "Night Gallery" as one might view it from the inside. Outside, it may be mistaken for something else not mentioned here. This is a spot where people can step inside to view what the rocks and other pieces will look like in the dark, under a blacklight. However, it takes almost an hour to put the thing up with its side panels and velcro strips. Secondly, it gets very hot inside as the morning moves into noontime. A swamp cooler will be necessary for the summer when temperatures exceed 90˚. Lastly, it is difficult to manage the vendor's table in front while at the same time staying with customers inside the gallery itself. All these considerations undoubtedly will work themselves out in time. This project has showcased the best rocks in ways one might not otherwise be able to experience in the day time.

Small Framed pieces and gift cards are on the horizon for what people will have the opportunity to purchase when the Summer Market begins. Although it can be said that most of the rock designs have not been repeated, many request similar figurative pieces like cats, horses, doves and the like. Today will be spent producing more of those types of rocks.

Below is where to go in the hope of making everyone's Spirit Rock!

Between a Rock and a Good Place

Today we've ordered some blank black note cards while hoping we can expand the product line. We have tried bottle stoppers, refrigerator magnets, Stacked Rocks ( Cairns ), Spinning Rocks, Keychains, Bottle bells, Pendants,18"X24" Posters, Spinner Rocks, Decoupage memorial Rocks. We've also added keychain black lights and 3D viewing specs to enhance the whole Your Spirit Rocks!™ experience.

You can view many of the rocks that have been produced over the years by clicking on the following link:

Illuminated Glow Rocks

These Illuminated Rocks have been brought into existence since 2010. To date, well over 10,000 rocks have been sold.It can be said that all these rocks are one-of-a-kind. For the most part, they are. There are only a handful of designs that have been repeated, and every rock is hand-painted and decorated. The colors are delicately painted with a rich coat of acrylic. The Every rock is then UV protected with a high gloss clear-coat. The line work and dotting are done with puff paint. Many rocks are also adorned with holograms, glitter or even Thermogenic paint whose color will change hue as it warms.

Now that a dark room viewing gallery has appeared on sunny days, the general public will have the opportunity to view the rocks under a black light. In the future, more small framed canvases and gift cards will begin to appear for display in the walk-in night gallery. The small painting below is called "A way out" depicting a small bald-headed man emerging from a vibrant colored cave. You like? Stay tuned!

The Tail end of the Winter Rocks

Today is the 22nd of March, and Spring was in full force yesterday with sunshine, and today it's raining. Heck, what can one expect? It seems like it refuses to stop, even after the water table throughout the state has reached full capacity and then some. Now we'll probably have three years of drought. In any event, The rock below is fitting only because we will all be fish if this rain keeps up.

Yet who's complaining? Me! Besides, there won't be rocks sold at the Farmer's Market when my old canopy is about to collapse and I only get to showcase the new canopy in good weather. This canopy is only 5'X 5' yet is a perfect fit as what can be described as a "Rave Cave". Actually, it will be a blacklight gallery, of not only some of the best rock I have but some cool posters as well. The posters will be sold on a commission basis because it takes time to make the colors reactive by painting over them. The plan is also to get a swamp cooler for the summer months because it is sure to bake inside. There is just a fan in there now.

3D glasses will be sold for viewing these products and my hope is that you give this venture a peek.I truly think it will be worth it.

Marching Forward

This month's rock is called a "Zulu" rock just because it reminds me of an African tribal design. Most of the dots are painted with reactive fluorescent colors in kind of a swirl pattern that continues on the other side. These past couple of months have been very rainy and I have spent a lot of time indoors painting.The selection of rocks has grown, so their will be a lot more to choose from at the Farmer's Market. The booth is not set up on rainy days because it is just messy. When the sun is out, it is very likely you will find me there.Stay tuned next month as I Spring ahead!

February's Rock of the Month

This rock is another "Spinner" Rock which is a combination of a few concepts that have come together to make a rather unique item.

a spinning top using a round, flat, smooth, perfectly circular, glow in the dark painted rock. Along with this, you will need a strobe black light. A large plate with curved edges so the rock won't fall off and a pair of 3D glasses to get the full psychedelic effect.

These items can be purchased online (i.e. an Amazon "Letmy™" UV flashlight and a pair of Chromadepth™ 3D glasses) both accessible and are reasonably priced.

First, you paint your rock like a pin-wheel with fluorescent as well as phosphorescent paint. Create your own kind of hypnotic pattern or draw a template on the rock before painting it. Dot the top of the rock with Tulip™ Glow. You can use whatever UV reactive paint for the rest of the rock, but to get the continual glow with the lights off, you will need Tulip™ Glow.

Now place a small glass bobble like the ones you find in webbed bags in the garden supply aisle of most craft stores. Use an industrial strength glue so the centered glass bead won't come off when it is dry. Let it sit overnight to harden. Lastly, give it a clear coat of Krylon™ to protect your finished product. Now you are set.

Take your Spinner and give it a quick turning motion using your thumb and middle finger until you become proficient at making it spin faster and longer than five seconds. As it moves freely around the plate you can put on your 3D glasses and point your UV flashlight on the spinning rock. All I can say then is... WOW !

The bottom of the rock should look like this...

Click on the following link...

https://youtu.be/HtIK1HbJ1Wo

Rock of the Month

Decisions, decisions, decisions. These postings have not been occurring in a timely fashion when a new rock concept is showcased so we will be posting on a monthly, rather than on a weekly basis (perhaps not that few and far between). Lately, our interest in rock painting has waned a bit, and the idea of moving in a different direction is starting to come forward. This blog, however, will continue to showcase the unique, one-of-a-kind Spirit rocks as they are produced.

Yet, Something having to do with two-dimensional pieces, using other materials besides rocks as canvases. The medium we use will probably be similar, but that may take a turn as well. Other natural materials have produced interesting discoveries. Block wood, bark, cork and glass are entering the picture. Materials that have not been explored up to this point. As this creative pursuit emerges, the postings will reflect the progress. Stay tuned!

The rock below is something that has been tried in the past, to show how well 3-D effects look on flat rock surfaces. The creature peeking his head over the top is a take-off on "Kilroy", a character that became popular during WWII.