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.

Wildlife and nature

This weeks rock(s) are a few custom rocks that I did for someone who came by to visit Calistoga a two weeks ago. The weekend was wet again on Saturday, but you won't hear any complaints around here.The water is needed and hopefully by the end of this month we will have enough to get us through the summer season. Being the driest year on record has worried a lot of vintners because as you might guess, no water... no wine!

I am inside today painting some rocks that I hope will be more, better or at least different from those I've done in the past. Although figurative images like the ones below are not my forte´ They are a departure from what I've done of late.The bear was said to look a bit "tubular" and I have altered it a little after a friend criticized it. The eagle was not as difficult to paint as I thought it would be.

How am I doing?

It has been almost four years since I've been providing these gift rocks for people like yourself.I was not clear about what it was that I wanted to do when I first started painting them.Initially, It was about finding a new medium with which to express artistic abilities. Then it became a spiritual journey.

I would go out to the ocean and collect only those rocks which felt good in my hand and had a flat smooth surface on which to paint. I figured that they would be best suited as "Meditation Objects" that people would use to focus their attention while meditating.I gave a few of these to friends along with a sheet of affirmations.More and more ideas came to me in the succeeding months.

Three years ago,I approached a woman from my church who ran the Calistoga Farmer's Market.She began renting me a vendors space so that I could begin to SELL these pretty rocks.Sometimes, I entertain the idea of being supported on a "Suggested Donation" basis, but I am afraid that I would be overwhelmed with work,and would go broke fast.

I recall seeing a ceramicist last year who had a booth outside a "Further" concert who seemed to be doing fairly well by providing a current generation of Dead Heads with pendants heralding expressions of "Peace" in different languages.These he had fired out of clay and was accepting donations only.I have no idea if he is still making a living this way,but his sentiment and cause were admirable.I however,need a steady income and the confidence that provides.

Well wouldn't you know, these rocks have begun to sell! I've learned what is a fair asking price for a desired result.Even when custom work is requested,I relish the creative challenge.It is a thrill a minute.Your suggestions have found their way to the market table and my enthusiasm grows.

Bottle stoppers,Magnets,Pendants,Stacked Cairns, Mirrored rocks and other unique items have been produced and have sold well.Many have suggested that I sell online.Although I've resisted this idea, wanting to maintain control of my inventory...the idea has not been dismissed out of hand.I suspect that I am a bit fearful of impending success.Perhaps this fear is unfounded, but the YOUR SPIRIT ROCKS!™ business is still moving at pace comfortable for me.

This blog was created to have you see the latest products and to be a part of the development of what perhaps could be a movement of sorts.You have talked to me about having workshops,and I still would like to pursue this idea.Is this something you would like?

Feel free to join this blog and give me some direction.I would really like to know where to go from here.

THANKS !

Give it away to keep it!

These rocks have always been a gift.The way they feel in my hand...the roundness, the weight, the smooth (or rough) texture.The rock has always been a symbol of strength and solidarity. It is my contention that your rock chooses you.Sometimes, if feels good just to skip one across the water or stack one on top of another.Rocks are like good ideas that form in the mind and take shape.Once a rock is passed on, it continues it's journey.

Your rock may end up miles away from where it originated.It may be ground into sand or smaller pieces in service to to a slab of concrete or other building material.It may just end up as a paper-weight on your desk or window sill.If the rock is not meant for you, you will know it.Pass it on to someone who notices it for whatever reason.

Like our children, these are products of life longing for itself.These contain an energy that can neither be created or destroyed.

~Kalil Gibran~

Display Rocks

The drought continues and we have been getting only a modicum of moisture here.I have a few rocks sitting outside on my deck in a planter. The wet weather did not affect these rocks at all. An acrylic coating goes on each rock upon completion which protects the rocks from moisture (to a point). These rocks are not indestructible.It is recommended that you place them on your desk, window sill or bedside table. The bathroom is not the best environment because of the moisture present.

The rocks below are showcased using plexiglas mirrors, a black light and a photographed in a dark setting.It's always fun to see how best to show off these beautiful art objects.

Happy Heart Day !

It is Valentine's Day once again, so I've prepared this cute little video which features some of my drawing and painting skills as well as one of my favorite heart rocks.Enjoy !

Happy Valentines !

The Rain has arrived

This week the rains came, and the refreshing mist in the air is most welcome.The water situation in California has not been good since we have learned that last year was the driest on record.We hope that the end of winter and early spring rains bring a much needed drenching, these usually have carried us through the summer months in years past.

That's the good news.Rain on Saturdays during the Farmer's Market make the situation sketchy at best.Tourists will come and visit Calistoga whatever the weather, but the foot traffic always is better when the sun is out.I usually play it by ear, and sign on at the last minute if it is not too wet. Your Spirit Rocks™ don't like the wet weather as it tends to soften the protective acrylic coat I give each rock.

This weeks rock is another heart-shaped rock that I painted with red and green.To some, this rock may look a little too much like a real heart, and for that I apologize if it offends anyone's sensibilities.A Happy St. Valentine's day to all!