That, that is...

 Some may remember a movie called "Charly" starring Cliff Robertson. In the movie there is a scene where Charlie's intelligence is increasing and he demonstrates to his mentor (Lillia Skala) that something on the chalkboard could be punctuated to make perfect sense. She disagrees, as he proceeds to reveal it's literal accuracy.

https://youtu.be/Rpvji4jnUQo

That that is is that that is not is not is that that is that that is it is

after editing, becomes:

"That that is, is. That that is not, is not. Is that that is,that that is? it is!"

Granted, no capitalization was added, but the execution is amazing.

Now, what does have to do with "Your Spirit Rocks!"™ ?

NOTHING.

Nevertheless, here is this week's "Rock of the Week"

The Heat goes on...

 Today the temperature is moderate. This afternoon will hit 90°.Tomorrow and throughout the weekend it is forecasted to be in triple digits. Saturday's market will find me under a tree with a lot of water bottles, sunscreen and a water sprayer in the attempts to cool myself or anyone who happens by the Your Spirit Rocks!™ booth. The rocks get hot in the sun, and sometimes too hot to handle. However, having the sun on them brings out the bling factor. This, plus the glow makes these rocks unusual collectibles.

    Many of the locals arrive early to purchase fish, vegetables and fruit to bring home. By eleven, the tourists start to arrive. Some will purchase a gift rock to bring home to the kids, as these items travel nicely and usually won't get absconded by T.S.A. agents at the airport for carrying something illegal. 

    Some will ask, "What do I need a rock for, anyway?" This question can only be left to the imagination, which pre-supposes the next question... " What better object can we hold in our hand that would fire the imagination?" It has been told that Steve Jobs had an interesting story about rocks and team building. This is the short video here:

https://vimeo.com/195796089

  Below is this week's "Rock of the Week". It is done with alcohol ink, which gives one a similar effect as would an acrylic pour which is usually done on a larger scale. The second image of course is what the same rock looks like under a black light. I was surprised to see that the yellow and red colors are UV reactive.

    

A Rose by any other color...

...is still a rose, as the saying goes.Many prefer yellow to traditional red roses or even violet. Color preference is a personal choice and a reflection of our experience. Even if you are color blind, the determination of hues, tones, shadows and light become highly sensitized components of ones appreciation of color, or the lack thereof.

 Now think of things that determine your own relationship of color and the role is plays in whatever you bring into your realm. The clothes you wear, the food you eat, the car you drive, even the tint of your sunglasses.

It's important to pay attention to when colors fade or lose their lustre. Are they still visually pleasing? Say a favorite old Hawaiian shirt, a deck of trading cards or even that Kodak picture from the senior prom. Rusted pipes and the patina left on a copper pitcher  still have a distinctive allure.

When purchasing a piece of art it is also important to consider how well the color(s) will age. Many artists go to great lengths to assure their patrons that a painting will retain an archival quality. Artists will choose thier palettes with this factor in mind. Otherwise, it is something more about the piece that will draw a viewer in... they're are many considerations that come into play.

Below is this week's "Rock of the week"

Waxing Philosophical

     Okay, I don't purport to be a philosopher ...but like Socrates, I have a lot of questions. Waking up this morning was like non other. Yet everything seemed to be the same as before. Then a thought came to mind, what if I had died during my sleep? What would it matter, and to whom? and why?

    Oy vey! ( Yiddish for Ay caramba! ) Is matter or energy what effects us, or do we effect matter? just " Talk amongst yourselves " as Mike Meyers would say on SNL. 

Enquiring minds want to know (Thank you, National Enquirer).

None of this has been or will be resolved, so let's get down to business...Rocks Matter! 

Nuff said.

Now, here is this week's "Rock of the Week" 

Relaxing on my couch observing a large green Africani Rock sitting on the floor of my apartment. All done in augmented reality using the Metascan™, app on my IPhone.

Having Fun with AR

Although I am not a big fan of acronymns, AR ( augmented reality ) is a technology worth exploring. Especially if you have an iPhone. Their is an App called Metascan™, which when downloaded to one of the newer IPhone models, it will prompt you to take a bunch of pictures all around an object...in this case, a rock. Which upon taking about 50 pics you would then upload all of them and wait as they are processed (It doesn't take long, about five minutes ). What then happens is that it will render a 3D image which can be viewed in a variety of positions. Below is a video which sort of gives you an idea. Click on the link here:

https://vimeo.com/837071747?share=copy

After the object is rendered, it is then possible to place it in any enviroment you wish. In this case, I thought it would be fun to resize it and put it on the potty. The little green yoga skeleton is sitting on a rock cushion that was painted for this very reason.

The skeleton is not one of my pieces, but I thought I would share it with you anyway. :-)

Trust me, I did not have a rock this big sitting on my toilet.

Treasured Beauty

 Many ask me, "Where do you get your Rocks?" I usually respond jokingly,with... "If I told you, I would have to kill you". This is not what they really wanted to hear. However, it is not a question I readily like to answer because the place where I go is probably the most wonderful place you could visit and want to return to, often.

A place that you'd want to keep secret.

Just a hint, it is about four miles north of Jenner, CA. Where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean. Many have this out to be their favorite spot for a romatic interlude. Jenner by the Sea, The River's End restaurant, and Kayak rentals are a few of the joys you can enjoy before driving further up the coast to the bottom of a steep ravine.That's all you need to know.

Nothing beats a trip to the Beach, especially on a calm, moderately sunny day when seagulls scavenge for treats as the tide goes out. It's easy to get caught up in the serenity of this place, especially on a weekday when most people are probably busy at work.

Looking and finding an assortment of rocks to paint is fun for me. The criterion employed is to find rocks that are flat, smooth ( no cracks or dimples ), symmetrical and as perfectly round as possible. To think of them as little canvases helps, because you have to envision how they are to be painted.What materials, colors and adornments are you going to use? These are all questions that become apparent during the creative process.

Eventually, these treasured beauties become a reflection of another positive experience to be shared with others. Something to be passed on.

Rinse and Repeat

 Okay. So perhaps you've seen a few of my designs repeated and appearing on the table at the Farmer's Market. Pursuing excellence, and the repitition of visually appealing designs have a way of honing one's skills. Admittedly, the best work and those rocks that have sold well, have kept production time to a minimum. Twenty-five to thirty-five hours a week painting rocks, are far and away enough to foster new ideas in keeping the creative juices flowing.

Here's an example of one such rock...

What can I say? I'm dancing as fast as I can.

For every rock I sell, a new one has to take it's place. I've painted and have sold over a million rocks in the thirteen years since I painted the first rock. (See the framed piece below)

The point made is that repitition is the work worked, or more accurately, " The work performed" . In Latin, this is known as "Ex opere operato". The question begs to ask, " Does ritual and repitition breed excellence or is it merely an obsession?" Is the work done in vain, or does it serve a higher purpose... other than survival by virtue of monetary providence? Finding joy in the activity is providential but not always satisfying. These are questions I ask myself.

Below is this week's Rock of the week...

"Galaxy and the Little Bang"

A Debt of Gratitude

 Thank you. This post is for everyone who has a rock that I've painted, or who I've had the good fortune of meeting at our Farmers Market. Your Spirit truly does Rock, and I will be forever grateful to you!

This has been an intention that was set over thirteen years ago at a beach just north of Jenner, CA. Skipping stones pondering where or what was to be the next chapter in my life had me at an impasse. Only then, after surrendering to my life to a Higher Power, God, the Universe or whatever is the author of our existence left me aiming in a singular direction... self-employment, or more precisely, Creativity. 

Looking a smooth, flat rock seemed to be an ideal surface for  small paintings.Having studied Fine Art in college, it was time to pursue this as a calling.

Granted, it was doubtful that i would be making a living doing this as a profession, but I still had to give it a shot. It seems that the Universe will shift when one makes up their mind to take a leap of faith. What was my next move going to be?

Unemployment would leave little to go on,and I still had a few years before I was able to collect Social Security. Thankfully, painting rocks and a little savings have kept the wolves away from the door. 

Eventually I approached my friend Karen, who guided me in becoming a craft vendor at the local Farmers Market. What can be said? It's been a wonderful adventure that hopefully will continue well into my adolescence ( tee hee... who am i kidding? )

By the way, if you have read this far I would encourage you to see the portfolio video by clicking on the link to the right of this post ->

Below is this week's Rock of the Week

Strength in Vulnerability

The Rock below is another Dazzler insofar as it is sending my artwork in a different direction. Black has always offered a nice contrast to whatever color or figure I place in front. In this case, the feather seemed fitting, as I knew it would be fairly easy to place the image on practically any stone. 

The glow as always, is an added feature. The other thing that filled the whole motif is the starry background. Perhaps I was "Guilding the Lilly" as it may appear, but I did want to add another dimension to the whole motif.

I like the color black because it draws the eye in, and gives it a place to rest. It is also makes a powerful statement. This is also why I find the image of a feather complimentary, because it seems to express the opposite... vulnerability and fragility.