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.

The Rock of the Week

I received a nice email from a collector who purchased a rock just a little while ago. Catherine has brought this rock with her on a trip to Hawaii to a location where their is a small pond. The City of Refuge is on the island of Hawaii and that is where it has been placed. It is a sacred place for the Hawaiians. I am honored to have this creation placed where others may enjoy it.

 Occasionally, I have placed rocks in secret places throughout my journeys. Locally, I will take hikes to a place called Coyote Peak in Bothe State park, not far from my home here in Calistoga. Placing rocks in trees where squirrels hide acorns is a likely spot; Or I will find a group of other rocks to easily nestle one of the Spirit Rocks. It has been a surprise to me as to how well these rocks have weathered being outside. I keep a stone on my balcony which has been outside all year and it still looks great.

Generally, it has been discouraged to place the rocks in damp spots because they have only been sealed with a clear coat of acrylic, and it is not certain yet whether or not this coating will withstand the elements for an extended period of time. I will keep you posted on that one.

Love is in the air

This coming Saturday is Valentines day, and it is also the Farmer's Market dont-cha-know. I have a few heart-shaped rocks ready for your inspection. Come by and see what I've been up to lately. I've enjoyed doing a few commission jobs as you can see. If you have an idea for a painted rock that glows in the dark, come talk to me. I have many ways of working, to get just the design you have in mind. The rock below is for someone I know who misses their pet. What a nice way to commemorate a companion.

See you Saturday !

Investment

It has been said that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.
This is what is known as a truism. In other words, it contains a grain of truth. The saying compels one to follow ones instinct, and trust not only what feeds your bliss but what others may have to offer about what they think your gift(s) are.

Art has always been an enjoyable exercise for me. As far back as I can recall, drawing and painting images on a variety of surfaces has been appealing because it usually produced a result I could be satisfied with; And surprising to me was that feeling of accomplishment. Later on, through discovery, experience and wisdom the wheat from the chaff began to divide. One could produce imagery that did not take much work to produce, and could render an absolutely stunning result. On the other hand, one could work slavishly and render a comparable result. The whole ordeal of art is about this process of compiling an outcome to produce and income, so as to produce more, better and different outcomes.

The beat goes on...

Painting rocks has rendered some stunning outcomes with a mix of ease and comfort. Some days I am not so lucky. These are the days when I count on both inspiration and perspiration. My academic training has paid off here because, I can do what others have done before me ( i.e. seek inspiring images, new mediums, methods and/or materials) Who would have thought that choosing a variety of surfaces, mediums and materials could be such a pleasing activity to further ones creative process. Below is this weeks rock of the week.