Lights on … Lights off

Lately it has been a lot of fun creating art and building a business.Today, I went to Santa Rosa to purchase two large frames and an easel.I went to Michael’s store, Office Depot and Riley Street to get everything I needed.The game plan is to frame the images you see here (which are also poster size … 18X24”) and put them on display next to my table of rocks.

The idea is to see what these rocks will look like both in the dark, and in the light of day.Many people pass by my booth without the slightest clue as to the best feature of these rocks, which is that they GLOW IN THE DARK.

Naturally, you have to hold them under a light for a minute to absorb the light before you are able to enjoy their luminescent properties.

The wonderful thing is that they do continue to glow for an extended period.

New Design

I have begun to break away from the centric designs that have adorned the Spirit Rocks for about two years.The new pattern is reminiscent of the Faberge eggs of another era. The criscross pattern has proven to be one that looks more difficult to render than it actually is. I have found some new art supplies that add a glittering 3-D look to the top of the rock. After giving the rock a clear coat for protection, the finished piece looks absolutely stunning in the sunlight. The rock image to the right was scanned on a flatbed scanner and placed on top of a scanned piece of shiny fabric that was modified in Adobe Photoshop. I then sent it off to the printers to be made into a 24”X36” poster.

Welcome fellow rock stars !

Welcome to anyone who has taken the time to come visit this blog. No doubt you have seen or have purchased a Spirit Rock for yourself or a loved one. This summer is just ramping up to be the best one yet. I have met a whole lot of people from other cities, parts of the country and other parts of the world who have come to the Napa Valley to vacation. This is a great place for anyone who wants to remember some of the great summers of the past. We have swimming, hiking, biking, ballooning,great food, you name it. The locals like to say that Napa got it’s name because “People take naps here”. I like that one. For me, it has always been a place that typifies the California life style. Having been born on the east coast though, I knew how hard those winters could be... and by comparison we west coast people have very little to complain about; weather wise.Sometimes I think that we really don’t know how good we’ve got it! My hope is that you leave a comment and let me know how your Spirit Rocks,and perhaps we will meet again.

All work, seeking play

Although I only am selling rocks at two events a week, this has been a huge undertaking. I am not soliciting any sympathy however,because I truly enjoy what I do.Correction… Aspects of what I do. I sell, promote, create, distribute and catalog almost every rock that I paint.This blog has been a documentary of the progress I have made from the beginning almost two years ago.( Please scroll down and check the archives on the right that date back to 2010).I think what I need is a wealthy patron, so that I can just paint and go to the Farmer’s Market(s). Perhaps too, a bookkeeper and someone who can assist me in managing my time.

Don’t take the preceding paragraph too seriously.I don’t,because it is very difficult for me to let go of having and sense of control.It is not easy letting go.

Today I painted all of three rocks where I spent an hour on each one. This is just not good business sense unless I intend to sell those rocks at a minimum of forty dollars each. No two rocks are ever the same, really. They sort of remind me of snowflakes in that regard.

Creativity requires that I start with nothing and I don’t believe that this constitutes any effort,really! If what I do is enjoyable the creativity flows… call this abundant living. Making an effort is a far different animal. All work and no play can and will make Jack a very dull boy, indeed! (just see Nicholson’s performance in the movie “The Shining” if you have any doubts).

My sister seems to think that I am opposed to working.Nothing could be further from the truth.I respect work that fosters a sense of contribution to a greater good, but work for work's sake is just a dead end that degenerates.I love creating/working at something I enjoy, and this can take many forms. Organizing a desk drawer can be a highly creative act, and I fully consider this as time well spent.

Volunteering is another form of work that is great, if one can continue to support oneself while doing this. This only part of the equation of achieving balance in an unbalanced lifestyle, however. We all need to be achieving some sort of goal that will make a difference in the world, and no contribution is too small.

Doing nothing has it’s place though too, but only if you believe in a Higher Power.The answers will come if your own house is in order. Geez, how did I get started on this… I need a break.This blog is starting to feel like work !