Mix and Match

This is a puzzle I've created for fun and enjoyment.The object is to match the pairs of rocks that are the same. Granted that they all look different,but I have changed a basic element in all but four of them. I have inverted the colors or have modified them in some way in Photoshop to make them appear different. I will give you a starting hint... row 2, number one and four are the same rock.Okay, now see if you can guess the remaining eight pairs.Check back on my next post to see if you got them all. Now click on the picture itself for a larger view of the rocks.

Enjoying the Spring

This photo was taken with a fish-eye lens by a photographer who happened by my vendors booth(?) at the Saturday morning market. It shows me relaxed and enjoying the day (what a concept, huh?) The thing I enjoy most about where I am situated is that I am pretty much under a tree and protected from the direct sunlight.Even with an umbrella pitched, the sun at midday can be pretty intense.Slathering a lot of sunscreen helps keep the harsh effects of the sun at bay.Thankfully, I am allowed to be in the same spot most weekends throughout the year.Beginning this coming Tuesday, you will find me at the Napa Farmer's Market as well.Come by and say hello!

The Rock of the Week

The Heart is one of the most iconic and easily recognized symbols,ever.People will react differently to it, as they would a cross or a circle. The heart's form is rounded yet comes to a point.It looks to be very similar to the actual shape of the human heart which remains unseen, short of a surgical procedure.The heart's color is usually red which will signify blood,alarm,life force,understanding,presence and meaning.It is an important symbol for this era of technology which is moving increasingly towards expediency and less towards humanity.The rock below was created to have one focus on the gift of compassion and empathy,which is a rare and precious thing in today's world.

This week's Rock Creation

Lately, I've been scanning my rock creations and bringing them into Photoshop to be modified and then printed out. I have created Icons like the one below to add a whole other dimension to my work. I will be showing a few of these at the Farmer's Market, both in Calistoga and St. Helena which will be opening on May 1st. The work I do requires exploring different backgrounds, colors and filters. I then adhere the output to a piece of wood that is 4"x5" in size. Then after clear-coating the image with acrylic, I will put a hook in the back so that it can be hung nicely in a bathroom or kitchen.

This week's Rock showcase

These rocks are state of the art.I have been preferring to paint on black rocks because of the high contrast.I will paint on both sides of the rock and use lots of glow paint. These rocks take a lot of time to paint because of their intricacy. Below are some of my most recent creations.They are what I call the Mandala motif. People will use these rocks as meditation devices.They also will look very nice sitting on a night stand, to view in the dark.

Slideshow of Early Rocks

This brief video features a lot of my best rocks over the past four years. They were arranged in such a way that showcased them, even if the final product looks a little grainy. This relaxed format used the Ken Burns effect with a some guitar music in the background. Most of the pictures were taken with my Iphone or scanned on my Umax scanner and modified in Photoshop.If you would like to order something you see,just send me an email or fill out the contact form on this page.I will try to re-create the rock to the best of my ability.The price ranges are from 25. to 50. including shipping.

This Week's Rock...

 The original Spirit Rock Logo (Heart stone)

Here is another wonderful video I put together for Your Spirit Rocks ! I feature some of my best rocks over the past year or two. This company really knows how to do it well and they have made it so simple to create videos for your collection.

This Week's Rock

I would like to dedicate this weeks rock to Gary Dahl who passed away on March 23rd. He was 78. Gary was the founder of the "Pet Rock" which was a very popular item in the 1970's. He made over 1.5 million in it's first year out. I never owned one, and many have suggested that the rocks I sell were an extension of his idea. I cannot argue with that.It can be said however that the rocks I paint are more elaborate.The rock you see here is called, "Mandala Starburst". This rock is a Mexican Pebble Rock that was found to be perfectly round in shape naturally! It looks especially vibrant with copper coloring and a fire motif that can be viewed under a black light.

This Week's Rock

I am dedicating this rock to my sister who is married to a Tibetan Buddhist Lama. She has been a great influence on me, both artistically, spiritually and socially.Throughout my life, having grown up in San Francisco, she has groomed me in all things"Bohemian". This is a nice way of saying that we were very cultured, fun-loving hippies. She taught me how to draw by going on field trips to the Japanese Tea garden in Golden Gate Park. She had studied Art at Pratt Institute in New York, and later at the San Francisco Art Institute. Since I've been painting rocks, she has been a great supporter of my creative pursuits. She's now living in Oregon and continues to bring beauty and peace into her life and the lives of others. We stay in touch via Facetime. Below is a mandala rock which can be said was influenced by her artistic ability and Buddhist practice.This rock showcases one of many of the Mandala rocks I have painted.