Blistering Hot Show

Literally. Yesterday started out on a very pleasant note. I met some wonderful folks from many different parts of the country who came to the Calistoga Art Center Show to see a variety of local art displayed. After setting up the vendors spaces with their own tables, chairs and display boards, I found my usual spot underneath a tree close to the community center to be ideal... at least from 9am to around 11am. After that, all bets were off.

The temperature quickly rose above the ninety degree mark and did not let up. Smearing myself with plenty of sunblock and drinking lots of water, I somehow made it through the day, but it was not very pleasant.

Sales were decent though, and I am grateful to all those that found their rock to take home with them. The other artists who displayed their work were all  pretty cheerful and upbeat as far as I could tell. All in all it turned out to be a good day.

A woman named Barbara came by with her husband Bill who was a former California Highway Patrolman. They were very nice people who were out exploring the neighborhood and took the time to talk. He ended up purchasing a rock for his wife with the word "Faith" painted on it. She seemed to me to be a living example of it.

Thanks you all for making this late summer day a special one.

"Your Spirit Rocks!"

Summer's End

It has been a very enjoyable summer, but like most summers the time flies and we find ourselves reminiscing about those halcyon days long after the weather turns cold and gray.The weather is still nice here and an Indian summer is likely this year. Bothe Park has been a fun getaway for me. Especially the public pool they have there.The park provides a nice lawn to put a towel down and plenty of those adirondack chairs to sit on by the pool. They also have an assortment of inflatable items, swim masks, goggles, super soakers, hula-hoops and other items to enjoy you time spent there. The life guards are very friendly and vigilant. They will answer questions politely and greet you when you enter. Five dollars for adults is a very reasonable fee to charge. You can see by the photo below that even old geezers can have fun if they aren't afraid to look a little silly as they harken back to their younger days

Creative Impulses

It's not every day that I feel like painting and decorating these gift rocks.I do though, because it feeds a creative impulse that keeps me enthused about what I do.Yesterday I reviewed my best work and have posted all of those rock creations in former blogs,if you wish to go back a few years and have a look.This blog started in 2010, so I've been practicing this form of art for over four years now (check my archives on the column to the right and scroll down toward the bottom of the page).

The beach rocks I use are basically Sandstone,and the other rocks I use are called Mexican Pebbles which are very smooth and leave a nice finish.This week's rock is a nice round Sandstone I call a "Spinner Rock" because when I flip it upside down and give it a twirl,it spins for a while on a blue bobble which was adhered to the top of the rock.I don't usually paint my rocks yellow unless I want to have it serve another purpose.In this case, it can be used as a top or just as a beacon to direct oneself to the restroom in the middle of the night!Always make sure the rocks have been "Charged"( i.e. held under a regular lamp for about a minute) before you turn out the light on your nightstand.

Meditation Rock

Initially when I began painting rocks, I wanted to have people use them as meditation objects or something that they could focus on that would bring them a little serenity.Occasionally I will find a mandala or special design that enhances the rock enough to accomplish this end. Because I like bright colors, it is customary for me to inquire what a person's favorite color is, and to have each person use the rock as a sacred object.

Not all the rocks that I paint are like that, however. Many of my designs are simply favorite images that people enjoy such as dragonflies, butterflies, sports logos and the like.It is my hope that you will have these rocks for many years, and that you will pass them on to others when it is time to part with them.Below is an example of one of the meditation rocks that I recently painted.

Creative Visualization

Shakti Gawain has been a big influence in my life. Her book, "Creative Visualization" and "Living in the Light" are two books that taught the importance of following and trusting our intuition.If you have been a person who has had trouble finding guidance and direction in your life, her books and tapes will help you drop into a state of mind where anything is possible and welcomed. Here is an interview that took place not long ago, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of her first book.Click on the link above her picture to listen to the interview.She is quite candid about the development of her gift.

http://youtu.be/oZYnK7ZB-kg

Fun-filled Fourth !

It's already Tuesday, and this past weekend was jam packed with people, activity and rock sales.My sister Tara came in from Portland for the week, and my friends Bill and Veda helped me out at the Calistoga Fair on Friday before the fireworks that evening.

I was glad to see many friends and loyal customers as the came by to say hello at the Fairgrounds (and even offer us snacks from the cooking demos)which were happening in the same pavilion as the Your Spirit Rocks!™ display.It was blistering hot outside which is why I was very grateful to have a spot in the somewhat cooler Napa Building.

The next day was the Farmer's Market which was pretty hot as well. My sister sold charm bracelets that she had made and again, we had many people come by to see what was new on the display table.It was hard work setting up and breaking down both days, but it got done. As enjoyable as it was, I am glad that this opportunity presents itself only once a year.

A glow in the dark painting which I treasured, was sold for a hundred dollars. It was hard to let it go, but now I am challenged to make another one.The rock below is a shot of my yellow spinner in a semi-glow state.

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 !