Apologies

I want to sincerely apologize to anyone who has been trying to reach me on my land line.This number is the one I have listed on my business cards, forms, etc. and when you call this line it has usually taken your message and ended with the a recorded message that offers an uplifting,"Your Spirit Rocks!"a shout-out which is sorta cute, except when you were expecting to talk to a REAL PERSON!

This whole issue of messaging has become an activity of breathless tagging which covers a real longing for connection that is in danger of never being met. I am speaking for myself, but strongly suspect others who are falling into the camp of shallowness and disillusionment because they just are not getting through (both figuratively an literally).The quest for brevity and convenience are important issues when people make a call or text a message,but the expense of these supposedly technological amenities are costing many their own Peace of Mind.It can, and will rob us if we are not paying attention. When was the last time you allowed a conversation to evolve without composing and expressing your next thought. Is it really possible to suspend judgement in order to really hear what is being communicated?

There is a lot of blocking going on here.

My own selfish remarks have pushed some,if not many people away,rather than bringing them closer to me.It then perfectly fitting that my landline go dead and remain uncommunicative. Why call when no one picks up? The answer is obvious when I am the one not really making myself available.Long story short.It is time to lose this phone and meet people face to face without this superficiality and false sense of time urgency.I can now be reached on my IPhone exclusively until further notice.

The Rock of the Week

This week's rock is one that I call

"The Spinner". It is like a top when you turn it over and give it a whirl on it's bobble end. When spinning upright, you notice a swirling "Hypno" effect as the rock rotates around and around like a top. The look is especially mesmerizing in the dark under a black light of course.You see only the bobble in this image.See the video below for a preview of what this dandy little rock can do!

Rock for this week

Hello everyone, I painted this rock awhile ago, but I like the background ( a piece of burgundy silk ) that was scanned into my computer. The rock is one I call my "Faberge" rock, because it reminds me of the criss-cross patterns you might find on a fancy egg designed by Faberge. Come visit my space at the Calistoga Farmer's Market and at the Art show coming this Fourth at the Fairgrounds. Your Spirit Rocks !

It's Saturday again !

Welcome to the Summer season at the Farmer's Market ! Today is the last day in May and many people are coming to the Valley this weekend for the BottleRock concert. Oh how I like hearing the word "Rock" in any activity around here. My hope is that these music fans will also find their way to the north end of the Napa Valley to visit the cozy little Farmer's Market.It's a must see!

Below is a candid picture of Mother Tabitha who provides good vibes and blessings to everyone who comes to visit. The sisters from her convent make wonderful baked goods that come fresh from the oven.She is a Russian Orthodox nun from a convent which is within walking distance to the Market. This picture was taken at the end of last week's market after she had gathered some beautiful flowers for the church.She then beckoned me over to her booth where she generously let me taste a delicious "Mud Pie Cookie" that had chocolate,walnuts,coconut and other wonderful ingredients.

Goodies like these are just a sample of what you'll find along with fresh fruit,flowers,Crepes and a host of other yummy stuff.Come on down and taste some of the best features offered here on a Saturday morning in Calistoga!

Backgrounds for Your Spirit Rocks!

Lately I've been working with florescent colors that look fabulous under a black light. It can be tricky placing colors that will recede next to colors that come forward. Orange is the strongest color in my palette.Under the black light, orange really pops out.Having a dark florescent blue next to the orange is a good strategy for creating a 3D effect, because the orange will almost "hover" above the surface when viewing the image with special 3D glasses from above. Digital photography does not present these colors properly,but at least you can see the general idea that I am currently developing for Your Spirit Rocks!™ I hope to have these backgrounds for sale sometime in the future.

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom has been on the "other side" for many years, but I still think of her often.She was the best mom anyone could have wished for growing up.I always felt that she had my best interest at heart.Even when she would admonish me with"Chris, you have such great potential!" I knew she meant well.She was always there encouraging me to do my best, always.When I was an unruly teenager and lying to her face, she never attempted to bail me out of the trouble I got myself into;and for that I am truly grateful.

We make our own beds,and we sleep in them.

Thanks,Mom. I love you more than words could ever express.

A Wonderful Day

I love Saturday mornings and the Farmer's Market in Calistoga. Today was no exception.I met some great people and made some new customers. A teenager named Samantha who collects rocks and Russian Dolls made her acquaintance, and told me about how she was visiting from Sacramento where she is currently a senior in high school.She surprised me when she made the largest purchase of the day, which also happened to be my biggest rock.The rock was actually a bolder I purchased from a quarry. I painted a big beautiful crimson Iris on top and I could see that Samantha was not going home without it.I ended up giving her a black-light and the stand the rock rested upon, so she could appreciate it all the more when she returned home.

The other amazing incident occurred about ten minutes later when this young girl turned up at my booth to inspect the rocks.As she surveyed the table she picked up a sample rock I had put on the table in hopes of generating some custom orders for Mother's Day. The picture below is of this little girl who celebrated a birthday party in the neighborhood many years ago, whose image I thought would look nice on what I am now calling an "Heirloom" rock. Well as luck would have it,here was Claudia, who proudly announced that the little girl on the rock was her! She immediately went over to show her mom who just about broke into tears she was so taken.I don't even recall the exact year when it was taken, but when I printed it out and adhered it to the rock I figured that some parent may want a shot like this to memorialize a cherished moment. Claudia was two at the time, and is now a proud eight-year old third grader at Calistoga Elementary.

Monday morning motivation

The Mommas and the Poppas don't have a monopoly on Monday, but I still think of their song every time Monday morning rolls around.Monday originally was called "Moon day" and that is fitting. Tomorrow we will be on the lookout for the pink moon which will arise in the sky in the evening during a total eclipse.It should be very exciting and I suspect a lot of folks around here will be out and about tomorrow night.Below is a picture of a rock I painted and sold some time ago of a wolf howling at the moon. Enjoy !

Just being coy

The Farmer's Market in Calistoga is charming. I recall that the one in Napa is pretty nice too, except that they don't seem to want to extend themselves to vendors like myself who has a gift item to sell that is unique and made by a local artist (i.e. ME!)

Since there will be no Chef's Market on Thursday night this year, I thought I might have a chance showcasing my Spirit Rocks on Tuesday mornings there.No such luck.Napa is another world,and tomorrow is another day.The beautiful coy fish pictured below can be seen by visiting the Russian Orthodox Monastery here in Calistoga.Mother Tabitha is a wonderful soul who offers a kind smile and simple blessing to those who stop by to see the fish.She is one of the many sisters that live there. I am filled with joy every time I visit the quiet sanctuary next to a creek which feeds into the Napa River. The Coy are kept in an enclosed pond for everyone to enjoy.