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.

First Rock of the New Year 2019

This rock is called "The Invisible heart" which is meant to symbolize how we tend to hold back our love to those we would otherwise give it freely. The color here seems rather melancholy, but it is only temporary because it's blue color is how it appears under a blacklight. The dots reveal a teal color which symbolizes serenity, wisdom and patience. Under normal light, you cannot see the heart. It just looks like a white rock with a lot of white dots that give it texture. The white of course, is a sign of purity which is where each heart began it's journey.This rock marks the beginning of a new adventure in my craft and spiritual journey. Our creative force continues to move beyond form. May your Spirit continued to be Rocked in 2019 and beyond!

Rocks of the week

Okay, so here are a few "Spinner Rocks" which are the latest, and the final ones for 2018. This batch has been showcased because I've been lazy about posting a single "Rock of the Week"...and then skipping weeks throughout the year. These Spinner Rocks are a direction aimed to forward my creative pursuit. My idea is to find items that can be re-created easily and reproduced in abundance, so I don't have to spend ALL my time painting rocks. Painting rocks is a lot of fun, but what starts out as a groove can turn into a rut if left uninspired.

In the coming year, my intent is to have new items to add to the list. Things like gift cards, posters, bottle stoppers, magnets, more pendants, stacked rocks ( Cairns ) and rocks with invisible messages.

This year has gone by so fast and the future looks promising. It is my hope that everyone who has purchased a rock has also been inspired to paint their own. Go and "Follow your bliss" as Joseph Campbell might say.

My mother believed that everyone has a talent, some more than others, some more unique, but everyone has a talent that is God-given. May you find and cultivate your own unique gifts in 2019. Life is to short to do otherwise

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.