Having been a rock painter for over 7 years now, I learned that collecting and displaying my painted rocks in a memorable fashion can often be challenging or frustrating. Most of the rocks I was really passionate about, some from dear artist friends, some painted by me, ended up in drawers collecting dust just because I found it difficult to figure ways to display them in a safe and attractive way.
For reasons as these, I constantly started to think of ways on how to actually make use of my painted rocks and incorporate them in simple art decorations that could add value not only to my home but also to the paintings themselves.
For Part 1 of this series of DIY decorations with painted rocks, I thought to begin with something simple and funny paint: little SARDINES.
To see how the sardines were painted, there is a short tutorial uploaded HERE.
1. A BUNDLE OF SARDINES
To make this decoration yourself, you will need a few small driftwood sticks, about 4 or 5 little rock sardines, a bit of rope and a little shell. Tie the sticks and rocks together, glue the shell to the knot and here is a unique decoration full of beach vibes for your coastal décor!
2. THE FRAMED SARDINES
This project was really easy and fun to make. Recycling and upcycling things around the house has been one of my main interests in art so far, so finding a way to use the sardine cans I had saved was actually quite satisfying.
The things I used are: a small frame, a sardine can (which I jumped on a few times :)) and two little rock sardines. Done in less than 20 min!
3. COASTAL RUSTIC DECORATION WITH A FEW CUTE SARDINES
This project is for the case when you don't want to use a frame.
I had a little wooden board left from another project. All I needed was to give it a few layers of white paint and just stick the rocks on it in the style I wanted. At the back I put a small hook.
If you happen to have a larger piece of wood at home, I believe it would be fun to also apply other things of the sea such as shells, sea glass or pieces of driftwood on it.
4. THE LITTLE JARS OF FISH
Again, a very simple and inexpensive idea for your coastal décor. I found these little jars in a Salvation Army store, but I think they can be found in many home decor stores these days.
For this project I used some white sand on the bottom of the jars, few shells and the painted rocks. The bigger the jar, the more fun :)
This can be such a nice project to share with the family, each member being challenged to add their own holiday painted rock in the family jar.
5. COASTAL INCENSE HOLDER WITH SOME EXTRA SARDINES
A quick video with how I tamed my painted sardines to stay together is HERE.
The incense stick holder is easy to find in cheap stores and not only there.
I used sardine rocks for this project because the theme for this blog is COASTAL DECORATIONS with painted rocks. Instead of fishes, you can use any little painted rocks you have around the house. They will all look absolutely eye catching, I believe.
6. CANDLE HOLDER FOR THE BLUE SARDINES
The porcelain candle holder was for me love at first sight! The moment I saw it, I knew I could put some little stones on it and make them turn to life.
Lighting that little candle up and watching its shadows dance on the little fish is absolutely mesmerising. Here are some photos I took of it in the daylight:
7. THE RUSTIC FISH BASKETS
The little ceramic bowls are from India and I got them on Ebay. I think they make for really unique, adorable coastal decorations that you can make yourself without much effort.
The rocks aren't even glued to the little baskets, so kids can actually play with them and change the way they sit in the bowls just the way they want.
You can try too :). Rock painting is therapy.
For projects that would look identical to those shown in the photos, a supply of sardines painted on rocks can be purchased HERE
The most amazing thing about art is the fact that it has the power to manipulate and transform our most inner emotions and experiences in such subtle ways no other means of therapy can.
Many times my day stars with a grim, not knowing what to paint, how to paint, what to start with..., and so on. But I don't give up because I know that if I take small steps into changing the narrative, and I turn the grey clouds into sunshine, and the stormy seas into hues of turquoise, and old scares into islands of bright green, life will begin to smile again.
This is why today I would like to invite you to discover with me what the stories I paint on rocks are actually about:
1. MY ROCK STORIES INVITE YOU DREAM
To me, what gives value to a work of art is its power to take you to places where you can dream, where your imagination is fueled to grow wings and learn new ways to fly.
In a world where what we dream is dictated by social standards and mainstream media, who can afford to dream authentically anymore?
That's why, when I begin to paint a new story, I aim at creating gates: gates to dream lands, to places unnamed, to lands never seen to the eye and to songs never sung or heard before.
2. MY ROCKS INVITE YOU TO CREATE YOUR OWN STORY
Take a moment and think when was the last time you let your mind roam about to places you once saw and almost forgot? When was the last time you remembered a happy thing from the past and allowed yourself time to re-live it?
To me, art should have the power to lift you from a daily routine and place you to a land where your own stories from the past are allowed to come to life again.
For this, almost all the stories I paint have something to do with an experience I lived in the past and I trust my experiences are never singular, they must have been lived and felt in the same way by others too.
3. MY ROCK STORIES CONNECT YOU WITH YOUR INNER CHILD
Trauma will always teach you to close doors. That's why we slowly start forgetting ourselves behind dark walls, too afraid to make peace with the past or begin trusting the future again.
That's why I love painting places where I felt happy as a child. Even if they are not all my stories, if they are just adventures from books, or stories lived by friends, I trust that art has the magic to reconnect and turn the grim of the day into sunshine.
4. MY ROCK STORIES INVITE YOU TO SMILE
With almost every rock that I paint, I am told that my art brings smiles to your hearts.
I still find it hard to explain how this happens. It might be the naivety of the landscapes I paint. Or it might be the colours I choose for my paintings. I don't know how and where the smiles begin. I am somehow sure though that if I put smiles and good vibes in what I create, this might return in a million other positive ways in the world. And that's what I want my art to be about.
When it comes to starting painting a new collection, regardless the feel and confidence I have about it, I tend to take the time and do a bit of research before I actually begin.
I love collecting images of all the different approaches to rock painting I can find. If you tried Pinterest, you can actually go to my account Art by Christine Onward and have a look at all the boards I have created over the last years and have a grasp at all the magic art on rocks can create around us.
The idea of painting boats and the ocean started for me a year ago when life journeys took me to Old Bar, NSW Australia. I felt so overwhelmed by the beauty of this place, that I wanted to take it with me in my art and somehow give this emotion immortality.
This is when I began collecting images of boats on rocks (see most of them here). Although I found tens and tens of rocks with boats I love, here are the 10 approaches I was mostly attached to:
1. LEFTERIS KANETIS
Well, searching for boats on rocks on Pinterest will always take you to Lefteris’ work.
If you haven’t met his paintings already, I advise you to go have a look at his accounts. He is not only one of the most inspiring rock artists of our days, but is also always nice and supportive to new artists. Have a look:
2. ALESSANDRA SCOLARI
From Italy, the artist I love the most is Alessandra. Well, I also love Ernestina Gallina and Roberto Rizzo, but with Alessandra I discovered I have such a wonderful connection in art.
I am often overwhelmed by the joyful nature of her art, her talent and enormous amounts of things she can masterfully paint.
Here is a set of my most favourite rocks with boats and sea I found in Alessandra’s stunning collections.
3. YANA KHACHIKYAN
Yana is the absolute queen of miniature art on miniature rocks! I often think how deep her love for this art must be, to put so much effort and so much patience to paint just the smallest, most gorgeous things on earth.
Here is a rock with a boat I find to be the most impressive project from Yana’s magistral work.
4. KALA ESCOBAR
If you search for Kala’s work on any of the media platforms we have these days, be prepared to instantly fall in love! The fantastic unique blend of colours she uses together with some of the most original ideas I have seen these days are undoubtedly making Kala one of the strongest voices in our world of art on rocks.
Here is a set of boats on rocks I was mostly impressed by from all of Kala’s work:
5. LIUDMILA - IHTIANDRA ART
I had this photo saved on Pinterest ever since I started my collection of boats on rocks. I was mostly impressed by the romanticism of its colours, the sadness of those clouds, the wind in the sails.
If there was to write a poem from a painting, this would have been for me the first image of choice. What do you think?
6.GARY CAMPBELL
I don’t know if you ever had this feeling yourself, but when I look at Gary’s work I feel young and daring to try new things.
Gary’s work has this whimsical, cartoonist feel, always joyful, always upbeat. Have a look at his accounts and I am confident you will feel the same as me.
7. DANIJELA MILOSEVIC
For those who know me from the times I started painting almost 4 years ago, you probably heard about the RockStreet Collective campaign I initiated to create bonds with and support other rock artists from across the globe.
It is during this time that I met Danijela and I am lucky and grateful to say that we are friends ever since.
What impresses me the most in Danijela’s work is the capability to take you on a journey of magical adventures and fantastic legend realms like only in childhood we could have imagined. I couldn’t select any of her dragons, or charmed castles to post here, but I found this wonderful little boat I am sure you will love to see too:
8. KAREN - ART ROCKS BY KAREN
I had this photo saved on Pinterest long before I actually started tackling with the idea of painting boats on rocks.
‘The painting somehow dragged me towards a sky under which I wanted to be myself, and a story of the sea I wanted to be part of too.
Not surprisingly, Karen told me this rock is about a journey she took ten years ago in Antiparos, Greece!
This is why I believe art has the unique ability to capture memories and give them immortality like nothing else in this world. I’m sure you feel the same.
9. ELIZABETH PRINTZ
I left the funny gorgeous boats towards at the end because I didn’t want you to leave here without a smile on your face.
And since I am such a fan of naive art on rocks, myself being a part of this branch of artists, I wanted to share with you a rock a rock that genuinely made me smile.
My advice is, if you haven’t tried already, do gift yourself with a cheerful rock with naive boats, and cats, or dogs, because life with rocks is better without life without.
10. PAKIZE OZEL OZDEMIR
My tenth favourite approach to painting boats on rocks is the one of Pako’s.
If you want to spend valuable time with your children, have a fun afternoon with a bunch of colours and a few rocks, do have a look at Pako’s work. You will love it.
My own collection of painted boats is next. It’s only a little part of the rocks with boats I have painted so far, but they certainly are the ones I love the most. I hope you like them for what they are too.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ :
More articles by Christine Onward
LIVING THE GOOD LIFE: SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ART
CREATIVE HOBBIES AND HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE YOUR WELL BEING
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Research shows that connecting with our innermost beliefs as well as actively seeking spiritual growth can help improve our quality of life.
Here are eight simple steps to consider:
1.SEARCH FOR INNER BELIEFS
Before engaging ourselves in seeking spiritual growth it would be wise to actually know what our beliefs are.
For some of us the answers to questions about own beliefs are easy to find. But for most people, the search for "core beliefs" or "spiritual truths" is often a long and challenging pathway.
Knowing your own beliefs will bring you closer to your inner self. It will elevate your spirit and make you feel fulfilled.
2.CONTEMPLATE ON YOUR ACTIONS
The beliefs you have discovered within yourself should also reflect in your actions.
Have you taken time to pray, or meditate, or sit in solitude today?
Have you engaged in an act of knowledge? Or an act of kindness?
These are the types of questions you might want to ask yourself during periods of self-reflection.
The easiest way to acquire personal spiritual growth is to take a moment and reflect: is this the kind of life I want to live? Is this the kind of life that makes me happy or at peace? Are my actions reflecting my own beliefs?
3.SHOW COMPASSION
A deep connection with your own spirit can be achieved by empathizing with other people's pain.
Showing compassion and willingness to help others in their need makes us better people.
As the Dalai Lama says, "Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek".
4.PROMOTE PEACE
Once you have attuned your actions to your spiritual beliefs, the pathway to inner peace and personal fulfillment becomes wide open.
It's you who can choose to understand, look beyond revenge and forgive, accept, emphatise, feel good about yourself and build hope.
Always remember that at any point in life you can make a choice. It's up to you what kind of choice you want to make. Consider peace and positive action first.
5.SEARCH FOR SOUL MATES
Spiritual growth often relies on the people we surround ourselves with.
Search for the people who raise you up; the people who encourage you on your endeavours to become a better person; the people who, like you, promote good and positive action and actively search to make a difference.
No man is an island. Choose the people you want to share your spiritual growth with.
6.BE THANKFUL
Showing gratitude is the essence of your happiness.
There are always little things to feel thankful for; a new day, the sunrise, a memory, a smile, a hope.
There is no spiritual gathering within ourselves without being thankful for what we are, what we have, and what we can become.
7.BE TOLERANT
Evolution has taught us that no two people are the same. Our beliefs, behaviours, preferences, or hopes will always stand differently from one another.
Tolerance will teach us that, by accepting the discrepancies between us as humans, we can grow into better people.
Tolerance is the key to inner peace, self acceptance and trust in our personal kindness.
8.QUIET THE MIND
Whether you call it prayer, meditation, or quiet solitude, it is a golden opportunity to allow your thoughts to rest in silence.
Cutting out the relentless noise of the outside world and focusing on the inner peace of our soul are golden opportunities to grow spiritually.
Spirituality is so much an act of inner peace and acceptance, it is only a moment of silence it needs in order to grow and flourish.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ :
Articles by Christine Onward
LIVING THE GOOD LIFE: SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ART
CREATIVE HOBBIES AND HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE YOUR WELL BEING
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But why do we feel the need to add art around us? What does art change within us in such a way that we feel drawn to gathering beauty and colours around us?
Art gives wings to our inner self
Our home is the place where, more than anywhere else, we need to be ourselves. It is where we feel most at peace, where we are most comfortable. The reason we feel this way is due to the objects we choose to have on display.
By surrounding ourselves with objects of art that we love, we can enjoy the time spent at home even more. We can be ourselves, we can start dreaming, hope, and plan our future lives.
Paintings that we love will share with us their colours, shapes, and stories that have the power to make us feel unique, or happy, or energetic, or daring... it's all in the choices we make.
We are surrounded by a culture that incessantly tells us to hurry.
Art helps us take things easy, to slow down, and breathe. Take your time. Listen to your art.
Most of the things necessary to our home: the furniture, appliances, clothing, etc. are mass produced, machine made. There seems to be an abundance of 'things' surrounding us that are soul-less, which provide no personality to our spaces. We need fulfilling interactions with the people and things we surround ourselves with. Their stories contribute to our daily experience,
Art gives our home a human soul. With every work of art we add a sense of time, personality, emotion and value to our space.
The art we surround ourselves with can revive powerful emotions. It can evoke cheerful memories, bring comfort or inspire us in most unexpected ways.
Art can be the echoing of our deepest emotions - whether positive or negative - through which we feel connected, understood, and never alone.
The art we choose to keep with us is almost always a flawless translator of our personality. The things we value, respect, embrace, or follow will come through the art choices we make and surround ourselves with.
The art we choose to decorate our homes with can make a difference in someone's life.
We may choose these artworks to surround us because of all the change they inspire. They provide support to people who need it most, including the artists creating these works, and the people receiving them. Art is powerful in the many ways it can do good for you, and others.
There is an act of struggle and bravery in every piece of art.
"By doing what you love, you inspire and awaken the hearts of others" - Satsuki Shibuya
Too often we are overwhelmed by our daily work routine, boring days, lack of expectations to such a point when we begin to forget about our life long passions or hobbies.
To see that someone has never ceased to create and dedicated all their time to pursue their dreams is invigorating. The art we choose to show off with will teach us and the others that dreams and passions are always possible to achieve.
Art is the best lesson to learn; That in life everything continues to be possible.
Art doesn't come in singularity. Every artwork we choose says something about us. Perhaps the colours in the painting are representative for our passions. Perhaps the landscapes depicted remind us about long lived holidays, or childhood memories. Or maybe the painting revives hidden feelings, or memories we long thought forgotten
Art reconnects us with our true selves, our true memories and our thoughts.
With art we are never alone. We are only our true selves.
More beautiful rocks and writings about creative hobbies and how they can improve you well-being HERE
If you have questions or want to contribute with your ideas to this blog, please contact Christine Onward at: rock_street@yahoo.com.
Thank you.
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Here are a few things I wanted to write to you about today:
A study published in 2016 involving 700 participants living in Australia showed that engaging in artistic hobbies for over 100 hours a year will significantly improve your mental health and well-being.
This means that only two hours a week of taking part in a creative activity will enhance you mental well-being and general health.
An article in the Journal of Positive Psychology, 2016, explains that spending time on creative activities will boost your mood, increasing joy, interest, and alertness and reducing negative moods such as anger, anxiety or fear.
What to take from this? - Daily creativity is the best source to create joy, fulfillment and happiness in our life.
But what is the best hobby to suit you?
Your hobby might be either physical (take up a sporting activity), to help others (volunteer activities) or just being creative.
How do you choose between all the options? Here are some ideas:
- try a new activity each week. When the right choice comes your way, you will not want to engage in a new activity the next week.
-ask friends
-visit a craft or hardware store
-blog
-research locally for options
-check out educational courses
I recently found myself quite excited about buying a cruise bike. I picked a small and girly one ( I call her Lola!) , to take me to places in Old Bar I never get to see otherwise. Riding along the beach on little roads with almost no-one passing by is heaven! Fresh air, sound of waves whilst dreaming of Cuba, or Italy, or France; Well, that's my best way to end the day.
But the hobby that keeps me going is my love for rocks and my love for the sea.
The beautiful rocks of Old Bar, with amazing shapes and smooth surfaces often make me choose simple designs, figurative shapes, and monochrome designs.
I want to preserve the natural beauty and energy of my rocks.
I want them to share the beauty and strength of the swirls and the wind that shaped them for thousands and thousands of years, what made them become what they are today: rocks of magic.
If you feel driven towards rock painting, do start by making friends with your own rocks. Let the shape of the rocks tell you what they want to become, what they want to inspire and who they want to be with.
The rock you paint can change someone's life. It's up to you to what degree and for how long it does it.
Happy rocking :) ,
Christine
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One of the reasons I love this time of the year is that it gives us, the rock artists, the chance to create and paint the prettiest designs in the brightest colours!
I did a bit of "Easter rock hunting" in some of the most significant rock art groups on Facebook (RockStreet Collective included), as well as Instagram and Pinterest, and here is a selection of some of the most adorable rocks I could find:
Here are some more designs you might feel inspired to try too:
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PRETTIEST EASTER BUNNIES
A wonderful display of Easter bunny rocks to melt your heart:
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EASTER IN THE MOST JOYFUL COLOURS
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INSPIRATIONAL EASTER ICONS
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MOST EXQUISITE DESIGNS
My selection of these rocks was, by no means, based on "quality", "artists' reputation", or financial reward. Some of the rocks were posted on RockStreet Collective by the artists themselves over the last weeks, some rocks have been "heating up" on the Rock Street Pinterest account and some have just smiled at me on Instagram.
I wish you all days with sunshine and family fun. Happy Easter!
This is an article written by Christine Onward . If you want to be the next artist featured on our blog, please drop a message on rock_street@yahoo.com.
But what are the messages, moods, and inner responses elicited by the blue colour in rock painting?
Today’s article presents a number of different approaches to the use of blue in rock painting. Rocks were selected from the approximately 200 painted rocks posted by the artists of RockStreet Collective to honour our most recent BLUE rock event.
Why do we use the BLUE colour when we paint on rocks?
*BLUE is used to suggest INNOCENCE and elicit CALM
*With BLUE you can create sensations of FREEDOM and EXPANSIVENESS
*BLUE is a universally soothing colour. Many artists embrace a blue palette to elicit CALM and MINDFULNESS
*Beauty of nature and its fantastic livings are often represented with the use of BLUE
*Light BLUE is associated with TRANQUILITY and HEALING
*You may use blue when creating art for those young at heart to elicit SINCERITY and HAPPY MOODS
*BLUE invites you to MELANCHOLY and RECOLLECTION
*Oriental cultures have used BLUE to express PIETY and STRENGTH
*Use BLUE to suggest PURITY and CONFIDENCE
*All these symbols often intermingle to create calm and purity. If you want to join the art world of healing the mind and body, you can start by using BLUE
In art, colours have endless meanings and significance which translates into rock painting. If you remember, a few weeks ago we looked at some examples of RED symbolism in rock painting. See article HERE.
If interested to be a part of our world rock painting family, you are most welcome to post your creations in our group RockStreet Collective. The BLUE rock event is still happening until the 21st of July when the winning artist (featured on our Instagram account) will be invited to an exclusive interview on this website.
More artful blue rocks for sale Here
I will conclude my short description of uses of BLUE in rock painting here. The most amazing creation I wanted to introduce to you to celebrate the BLUE rock event is that of 5 year old Zarya, Elena Marisol Gomez's little daughter. I’m sure you’ll love her blue ocean, the sky with white clouds, the green beach, and the tomato bush in the corner.
Here ends RockStreet Collectives's BLUE rock showcase. I hope you had a peaceful BLUE holiday to the eyes :)
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Dear reader, wherever you may be, whatever language you speak, whichever stage in life you are, I hope you are an admirer of art.
This is because I plan to make the next few blog articles into a reflective journal about my experience of living and creating art. And as inconsistent as I am in general, I am pretty confident that this time I can give my stories continuity and meaningfulness not just for me, but for you too.
How do you grow into a reputable artist without any expertise or previous experience?
This is a question that keeps on bothering me every time I find yet another successful artist on Instagram. It looks as if every great artist of our days has some sort of previous art-related education, hours and hours of guided advice, work with a purpose, and of course, the TALENT.
For instance, check on wonderful Yvette Coppersmith:
-Archibald Prize, 2018
-studied at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia.
-more than 21 years of experimenting with styles and subjects
-painting self-portraits since the age of 17
How does MY art journey ever come close to such a glorious artist?
I bet you too keep on ruminating about the same thing as me: Maybe it’s not even worth it. Maybe it’s yet another waste of time…
But this morning I finished painting this:
Right through the open blinds a few sun rays started coming in. I watched them dancing merrily on the colours of the painting. That whole world, right there in the paper, was coming to life right in front of me… I was witnessing a miracle.
I had created a world that was a reflection of myself. Somewhere in this world someone like me will find themselves in this story, as much as I did. Maybe more in my painting than in other people’s paintings. Maybe I get to make them smile. And that’s the best accomplishment I can achieve.
My lesson for today is this:
Every story you create has you in it, your adventures, your memories, your sadness, your heart. Someone will surely connect with it. If not today, they will surely show up tomorrow.
The more stories there are, the more people will connect with your art. Just keep on creating. Reward will come.
Loving these stories? Here is a beautiful story from my childhood : Surreal Night in Transylvania
More outstanding products from my latest surreal paintings are HERE
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The journey I wanted to write (and paint) about took place a year ago in the outback Australia, more precisely in the northern part of NSW. It lasted 7 weeks and it was a blast!
For a person coming from the green pristine Carpathian Mountains of Eastern Europe, working in the bare fields of the far-far-away Australia was undoubtedly a challenge I was prepared to face. The huge emptiness of space, the scorching temperatures, the summer's dead bushes, and the desperation to survive of all living things had such a huge impact on who I was to become!
To honour the occasion, I decided to lay each meaningful experience of the outback in a painting. I wanted to add together the old me and my world as it was before back in Romania, the astonishing colours of Australia, its depth of landscapes, the victory of living- all in a series of paintings, celebrating me – the me I had become.
FIRST TIME IN WALGETT
We arrived in Walgett late in the night. The drive to the town had been slow and challenging. 100 km on dirt road, the dark night around us, kangaroos jumping back and forth ahead of us, and a GPS with personality only made the trip seem to last forever.
We made it to Walgett after midnight. Streets were dark and quiet, not a single man passing by. Shops had iron grills at windows and lights were off. Even the motel entrance had iron gates, secured with a big lock for which we had to recall a long code and still debate the numbers an hour later in the dark.
Dinner was quite frugal: cold chips from an early breakfast at the petrol station, wrapped in an oily paper and tasting like old jelly, some cheese, too sour from the heat, and the usual beer, to help us fall asleep.
I slept that night in Walgett with the windows open to let the scents of the eucalyptus trees come inside. A bird kept shouting sad songs in the empty night, kept talking to me, and I let the sadness sink inside, because there was no escape, only the red road, over and over again until the end of my days...
THE SUNRISE SONGS
Morning; 5 o’clock rise. I can still feel the taste of eucalyptus essences on the lips and bird's sad song in the ears.
Shirt on, boots on, cap on, insect repellent and a lot of sunscreen spread to whatever spot left uncovered. Bags back in the trunk, work instruments in the ute; time for one more long drive in the unknown.
I panic and I want to cry, as I always do when I think of unknown.
“It's just an adventure, I say, and who doesn’t like adventures”…
And off we are, this yet ANOTHER day...
Right outside the town of Walgett I opened eyes on a big sun rising from the bushes. Few cows grazing quietly under a tree, doves’ songs coming to life from all around the bushes… and suddenly I feel I am part of it. I do belong. And there is nothing in the world that can take this moment away from me: the place where I first belonged.
On the radio a song starts. I want to imagine it as a sign for me, and for everyone else who was welcoming the day in song of birds and golden rays of sunrise: Only a fool breaks his own heart…
THE PAINTING
I ripped through the bare red of the desert to let the magic of the moment come to life: the day when I BELONGED.
I added flowers in the empty trees of Walgett, and I added leaves with golden dots to shine happily in the sun.
The red dust, I turned it into lands of merry colours and joyful patterns, the way I knew them to be like back home in the Carpathian Mountains.
And all the sunrise songs and happiness of living, I gathered them together in this fantastic bird with golden feathers.
There is always a victory in us, we only need to find it.
After all… only a fool…
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Today's article will take you on a journey into the life of a once rebel "undisciplined" child who grew up to be an exceptional mandala artist praised for her talent all around the word.
As you all know, Liona Hotta's extraordinary art distinguishes itself from others' for its sensual explosion of colours, perfection of shapes, and the vibrant positive energy it contains. I hope you enjoy seeing part of her creations depicted in marvelous photographs throughout the article.
How Liona started this amazingly inspiring career not only as a painter, but also as a musician, here is for you to find out.
Who is Liona Hotta and how did she grow up to be the artist she is today?
I like to think of myself as a person who wants to express herself through multiple forms of art.
Since very young I loved singing, painting and dancing. These arts were very present in our home, and although we were growing up in a demanding agricultural community, all members of my family were or are still practicing some form of art. It’s no wonder that I ended up marrying an artist (photographer) and now we share the love for that art too.
As a little girl I was a rebel. Since I was a non-diagnosed dyslexic, I had to go through hard times being called a brilliant but undisciplined child.
I continue to be very untidy and unorganized. I always listen to my feelings more than my brain. Time has taught me though that I needn't apologize for my carelessness and better continue to listen to my heart.
This coming June I will be celebrating my 50th birthday and I am truly happy with who I have become and with what I do.
Apart from painting I also perform as a singer. I am blessed with the companion of a number of talented artists who play with me in our concerts.
Over the last 3 years our band, Liona & Serena Strings has been immersing in a Sephardic music project, with which we traveled and performed all over Spain, in so many beautiful locations and theaters. This year we also had the pleasure and honor to travel and perform concerts in India (Kolkata, Delhi, Goa) and North Macedonia.
With such a busy singing career, and having to travel such long distances, how did you actually find time to start painting on rocks?
My romance with stone painting started when I was hosting intuitive vocal workshops.
I was looking for a way to make little personal presents for my students who were about to finish a course I was teaching. I decided to search for ideas on the magic internet and this is when I fell in love with mandala painting on little stones.
Has life changed for you in any ways since you started painting?
It did change tremendously.
At the beginning I was only painting at night. I immediately noticed that my sleep was improving as I was falling into it easily and peacefully.
Later, as I was making mandala-dotting part of my daily routine, I could see how it was also helping me relax and center.
At first I was just counting dots. This came to me as a natural habit that originated in the need to assure symmetry while painting (I discovered I loved symmetry).
Soon I realized I was thinking of absolutely nothing while dotting - my mind was quiet for long minutes. It became my only meditation habit (oh, I’m such a restless person I could never sit and meditate like everyone else).
Later I began listening to music, practiced guided meditations and affirmations while painting. Pretty soon I noticed how my whole life was changing - I felt more centered, calm, and able to better handle life’s hassle and challenges. Today I can actually sit down and meditate like the rest of the people... what a joy!
Starting with the 1st of December I hear you are launching a series of courses on-line about dotting mandalas with a brush. Tell us more about this upcoming event.
My most recent project is the online course “How to dot your mandala with a BRUSH"
A while ago I realized that the international dotting community is divided into those who dot with dotting tools and those who dot with brushes (and lately there is a third group rising of cone dotters).
Somehow there is (in my opinion) a misconception about brush dotting that it is hard, complicated or “reserved” for the “more capable” artists.
Firstly, I don’t think it matters what we create art with: dotting tools, brushes, sticks, fingers.. art is art.
Secondly - it's all but wrong - dotting with a brush is easy. It’s a technique, you learn, you practice and you do it (just like about anything else in life).
This course is built to take you by the hand and step by step help you understand, practice, get confident and apply this technique. And I do not offer it as a replacement for dotting tools, but as an additional enriching way to add to your backpack of possibilities.
This is a 4 weeks course, with lessons dropping once a week, beginning with December 1st. All materials of the course are permanently available to signed up users. You will be provided with access to an only-member Facebook group for this course"s participants. We will have Q&A live sessions once a week during the course, and from time to time afterwards, when needed and required by the group members.
I have opened enrollment pre-sale of this course (follow link HERE) .
There is also an early bird price offer which will be kept open until Monday, November 18th. The course will begin on December 1st and last date to sign up is November 30th.
All details are in the course sales page. Please email me if you any have further questions in case I missed any of them on my social media (support@lionahotta.com). I’ll gladly write you back.
Sending you all love and light,
Liona Hotta
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Today I would like to introduce you to an astonishing artist whose work has never failed to amaze me every time I come across her amazing creations.
I love Alina Prodan not only for what she paints. I love her because she only speaks with her heart, and there is this humble kindness and warmth in her words that always makes me feel I'm with friends, that I'm at home.
The most beautiful thing she said to me was: "I wish we could also publish a few words in Romanian just for my mother, so she can read about me". And so I write:
Mama, aveti o fiica minunata, cu un har ceresc, si o inima de aur. Va felicit ca ati crescut un copil atat de bun si de inzestrat si mi-ati daruit o prietena cum rar se pot intalni intr-o viata. Imbratisari cu drag. (Mother, you have a wonderful daughter, with a gift from God and a heart made of gold. I want to congratulate you for raising a child so good and talented, and for giving me the rare opportunity to make such a great friend in my lifetime)
I hope you enjoy the story Alina wanted to talk about: the colours of her childhood and how they reflect in her art.
Yours, Christine Onward
Each season in the village had its own unique glory, its own colours, smells and emotions attached; but it is the autumn colours that I carry with me all the time, their spectacular brightness and the multitude of colours everywhere around us.
My village colours had an enormous impact on who I grew up to be. Even now, the colours I choose for my mandalas come from those beautiful memories of autumn falling on us, the fields, the forests, the sky, or the clouds above us.
I’ve been painting since I was born. Most of my painting happened in my mind though, because I never had the courage to actually do it. I did enjoy watching art, visit museums, art galleries. That was all the art I would dare to involve myself into…
All these until 2 years ago when I took up painting mandalas on rocks and canvas.
For the last two years I have been painting mostly at night and during the weekends when I’m free from work. I love listening to music before and during painting. I like listening to Debussy – Arabesque and light incenses as part of my painting therapy. They help me calm down the noise of my thoughts and breathe again.
What astonishes me the most is how a colour can have such a powerful impact on us.
When I paint, my colour choices are influenced by my general mood to a great extent. I also consider the combinations of colours that are pleasing to the eye. The details of my designs are very elaborate, therefore every little line, every dot I lay has to be perfect. And all these because the energies I gather within my work have to spread charm, harmony and beauty to each and every one of you.
The stories are endless when it comes to colours and my art of cirlcles and dots. But I could sum them up in just these words: I LIVE A LIFE OF COLOURS. And you?
This year’s outback discovery was meeting people who chose to live their lives on their own terms; people who chose to live as if other’s rules of living did not exist but their own. Out of all other ways people chose to live, their own was sacred.
It’s a wonderful lesson to learn: regardless of the rules of life others obey to, the one you choose for yourself is sacred and is worth standing for.
TALKING ABOUT M.
Meeting M. was a moment long sought for. We had tried to call her a few times, unsuccessfully though. A couple of times we had had driven to her farm. She was not there. The gates were locked.
But every try was worth it as we discovered when we met M. the first time.
AT THE GOONERY
Reaching M’s house was quite an adventure, as recent rains made access to the barracks really tricky.
A hundred metres drive from the gate and we turn a sharp left. A large muddy pond spreads in front of us right from the middle of the road. At the other end of the pond a white car is bogged into the mud all the way up to the windows.
We drive carefully on the edge of the muddy waters and continue on for a few hundred metres on bare dirt road. All around us there are old vehicles, rusty engines, metal scraps, and piles of useless wires.
I’m beginning to think of snakes hiding between all this strange gathering of disregarded stuff. Apart from snakes, rats also come to my mind. And that is terrifying.
As we get closer to the house, everything becomes even more cluttered. Old tanks, water pumps from old times, rusty trucks, 50 years old or more, make access to M.’s place even more trickier. In the distance I see animal paddocks, few horses running free, and a couple of dogs resting in the shade.
It is so quiet.
M.’s house is hidden behind a tall fence and wild vegetation.
As far as I can see, the house walls are scratched and torn; some of the windows are covered with plastic boards and rugs. It’s sad, painfully sad to watch all these.
We call M. out in lower after some careful thought. Who is this lady of the scraps and what she might look like?
She comes out quickly with a large smile on her face. She looks tall, taller than me at least, small built, with short grey hair.
Her clothes are old and torn. Grey patches cover the holes in her over sized jeans. The collar of a once yellow shirt is revealed and I can’t decide if it’s actually dirty or grey from too much use:
She had surgery. Then went to Dubbo to help a friend who was struggling with cancer.
I’m watching her talk quickly with large gestures and continuous smiles. Her happy demeanour is contagious and I begin to love her, despite previous concerns. I feel no pity for her, no sadness for this life she chose. I only love her because she is nothing but light and full-on positive energy. And she is humble and eager to help.
She is the master of what she chose to be.
THE PAINTING OF "QUEEN MAGG"
The memory of M. remained fresh in my mind for many weeks. I didn’t know what to do with what I had seen at the Goonery. I didn’t know if it was sadness, or bravery, or illness what I had seen. All these were with me, tearing me apart, until I decided to paint M., to give her a new life, a life on my own terms.
I cut through the bare scene of red empty sands and placed inside a merry garden of flowers, as M. deserves. Between such flowers I gave life to a new M., to “Queen Magg”.
I threw the torn grey clothes away and gave her a magical dress painted in joyful patterns and happy colours. As for the eyes, the tired empty eyes I met at the Goonery, I wanted to give them life too. I wanted them to shine, to share hope, and share love. I wanted her to be remembered as she deserves: as a queen.
Disclaimer: none of the photos used in this article belong to the Goonery (except for the entrance at the farm). The name of the described character was hidden to protect her privacy. Apart from that, the story is real and presented through my own lenses. If you feel you need to know more, please send an email on rock_street@yahoo.com.
Short video about the painting is uploaded on: https://www.instagram.com/christine.onward/?hl=en
]]>Some Indigenous rock art paintings are estimated to be around 40,000 years old. They are located in the Pilbara Region and Olary district of South Australia.
ROCKING THE WORLD – Australian Artists Making their Mark in the World of Painted Rocks
There are a great number of extraordinary Australian rock artists whose talent and expertise have reached the farthest and widest corners of the world. For all their hard work and passion I can only show my respect and gratitude. However, in this article I am only aiming at talking about five of the many Australian artists whose work I greatly admire:
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ELSPETH MCLEAN – ETHEREAL TOUCH OF COLOURS
The critically acclaimed rock painting artist, Elspeth McLean of Perth - Australia has been known to create some of the most vibrant and hypnotic designs. In the last years her original approach to rock painting has made the greatest impact onto the rock art community worldwide.
What I mostly admire about Elspeth’s work is not only the extraordinary dotting skills she never fails to amaze us with, but also the array of colours she puts together to create positive moods. In her art I find energy, passion, strength, and motivation to overcome all things that come with life.
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KARIN GETAZ – FLUID EMOTIONS IN BRILLIANT HUES
From the Australian Tropics in the far North of Queensland - Australia, Karin Getaz has been “conquering” the world of painted rocks with mesmerizing elliptical constructions and other harmonious dot designs.
I am always in awe of how, with the graceful movements of her brush, Karin creates romantic moods. It is art that allows emotions to flow hypnotically with colours and invite you to dream.
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TAMMY WARD – LOVABLE, "AWKWARD", AND FUN
Tammy Ward is an artist with an inexhaustible energy to create and offer joy to the world. The electrifying colours she uses as well as her brilliant imagination and attention to detail have attracted a considerable amount of attention in our community of rock painters. Tammy’s flamboyant pirates, dragons, the beautiful owls and bright fish are some of the most sought after rock collectibles in the world! If you travel to Queensland, Australia make sure you take a moment to visit some of the local markets in Gladstone or Hervey Bay to see her joyful works of art.
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SCOTT DODSON – ROCKS WITH WHIMSICAL TEMPER
What I mostly admire about Scott’s rocks is that you can always expect them to talk to you!
His exquisite rock art will charm you with its energy, originality, and youth. You will find in Scott’s rock collection some of the most dazzling characters: mummies, werewolves, scary clowns, the bewitching gnomes and so on. With bright blocks of colours, Scott’s rocks are given different personalities; some will smile at you, some will challenge you with endearing looks.They will all make you love them. This is what Scott brings magically to the world: life on rocks.
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JAN SINGLETON – LOVE FOR ALL LIVING THINGS
Jan is an amazingly skilled artist who has never failed to depict the most adorable animals on rocks! Her talent and passion for everything she creates is more than captivating. There are so many rocks to love in Jan’s collection: little dogs and cats, owls, hippos, seals, panda bears and so many others! Just have a look and smile.
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CHRISTINE ONWARD - ROCKS OF "THE DIAMOND"
As for me, I owe it all to Diamond Beach in Australia. I lived there for nearly three years and I am grateful for each day I went to the beach just to find the most amazing rocks in the most beautiful shapes in colours. These rocks have changed my life into what I am now: a passionate admirer and creator of art on rocks.I hope you enjoyed my invitation to know some of the Australian rock artists I love. If you too live and create art on rocks in Australia, please let me know. I would love to continue the series with a new set of artist from our country. Thank you.
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- Welcome to Switzerland -
For this week's ROCK ART SNAPSHOT, I am really honoured and grateful to have obtained the consent to feature the wonderful work of outstanding artist Yvette Biedermann.
I've never looked at Yvette's work without admiration as I'm sure so have you. She has this extraordinary gift of painting animals as if they were real: smiling at you, watching you, talking to you, making you love them, and wish nothing but to hug them!
The techniques she masters so exquisitely, the warmth of her rocks' presence, as well as the quality of photographs that depict her art, made me rank Yvette among THE MOST TALENTED AND INFLUENTIAL rock artists of our times.
With the following selection I am only hoping to open a door for you; and through this door I am inviting you to take a step into the happy world where Yvette's cats, dogs, and owls come to life from mere rocks. Isn't that amazing!
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YVETTE'S WORLD OF HAPPY CATS
In case you thought there are no rock cats, you are mistaken!
These cats - as photographed from reality as they may appear - have taken the artist years of practice and long hours of hard work to come to life. And if they smile at you like this, it is only because the artist has put her heart and soul to make that happen.
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TRY NOT TO WANT TO HUG THEM
Yvette's painted dogs on rocks are not only wonderful depictions of shapes and colours. To my endless joy, the artist manages to capture in her paintings a large array of emotions too:
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STUNNING MESSENGERS OF GOOD NEWS
Out of all the rocks Yvette has so skillfully painted, I was also enchanted by her painted owls. I was impressed by how they were depicted in delicate shapes and harmonious colours. I also loved the way Yvette displays them in these original wood stands, as if to add even more life to what she creates:
I hope you fell in love with every piece of art Yvette has created as much as I have since meeting her. It is artists like Yvette that INSPIRE US and help us grow. And for this we can only be grateful that they are in this world for us too.
If you want to see more of Yvette creations, follow her on Facebook on Peinture sur galet - Happy rocks - or Instagram @yvette.happyocks
This is an article written by Christine Onward with the consent of the artist.
*Each Wednesday an artist and their works of art will be selected and presented to you in a few lines and images. If you want to be the next artist featured on our blog, please drop a message on rock_street@yahoo.com.
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Today my greatest hope is that you feel inspired by Sussi's sparkling personality and her extraordinary artwork too. And when you do, allow your heart a smile. She painted it for YOU.
The wonderful Sussi:
"I have been painting and illustrating for almost 30 years.
I developed this particular style through a dream I had while I was expecting my first baby.
I have synaesthesia, which, to a certain extent, means "a mixing of the senses". For me it means that I read really fast and in vibrations; that's why I worked in academia for many many years.
For my art however it is extra special because sounds have colours and colours have sounds and emotions. My energy has colours and vibration, my emotions can have light and smells. It may sound weird, but it makes total sense. Really, it does!
Synaesthesia also means that I am very sensitive to signals and energy therefore these are what I usually paint.
I have a saying that my soul paints through my musical heart and hands. And very often, this is true: I look at things I have painted and I think: "Wauaw that is nice, I wish I could paint like that!"
I paint because my soul tells me to, but really, I am a writer and a helper. For now I just happen to write in colours.
I believe that I can make a difference by caring. I care: I care about you. Me. The ecosystem and the wind. I am a lover not a hater.
When I was caring for my dying parents and my husband with cancer (he is still with us, thank God), I found out that by painting next to them they felt happier. And in the hospitals and hospices other patients felt the same.
I started to exhibit in medical practices. They would contact me and I would ask what they were specialising in. Based on that, I would then tune the artwork into that community of practice.
I also have a travelling mini-exhibition that helps people who need a smile and dream themselves in my worlds for a while. They can have the paintings on their walls for up to six months.
Something very important about me is that about three years ago I made a pledge to the Action for Happiness Organisation: to paint for smiles and not because I want to get rich (not that I wouldn't like to have some more money). Just to let things flow out of my hands and hear what the heart has to say.
In this way my hashtag #sussishappyartproject has reached from Hawaii to Australia, from Iceland to South Africa and from young children to 97 year olds. I have painted pebbles for gravestones and Christening. I write stories for autistic children and grown-ups with depression. If that's not being blessed I don't know what is.
I have lots of training as an artist but no formal education, apart from a year in college, when I was 22 and I was studying to be a teacher. I have taken courses in all kinds of styles and techniques. However, for me my truest voice is the Naïvism. It's where I feel the light at its brightest.
The main mediums I use are watercolour and acrylics on paper and canvas. I also paint on stones and walls, porcelain, and fabrics; basically anything.
For some reason my stone stories are very popular and I really appreciate this. Clients tell me a story about themselves or the person they love. Sometimes they send me pictures and I proceed with painting their story on a stone. And that is such a beautiful honour for me. The grace and divine love they show for their loved ones and the fact that they entrust me with painting it really make me the luckiest girl alive!
The personal expression of my art is so true, so raw, so deep. And it is eternally grateful. So who cares if my rocks are not perfect?
They are IMPERFECTLY PERFECT " :
If you enjoyed her story, do follow Sussi on Instagram HERE. You will experience the fun, the colours, the warmth of all she does, GUARANTEED.
Sussi and I are welcoming your comments in the section below. Also you can make inquiries or add info on: rock_street@yahoo.com.
This week I would like to celebrate an outstanding artist and wonderful friend from Greece, Danijela Milosevic. As most of us would agree, since the launching of our group, RockStreet Collective, Danijela has never ceased to share quality art, joy, beautiful colours, and lots of encouragements to all our artists.
This is why, a peek into Danijela's out-of-the-ordinary magical works is not only long needed, but also greatly welcomed.
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MAGICAL
So many words came to mind to describe Danijela's works of art, but the one word I wanted to use the most was MAGICAL.
Watching her rocks is like walking into a realm of legend and fantastic dreams. Mystical dragons, most beloved by Danijela, lure you into stories of childhood as noone in our rock art world. It's a never ending wish to see more, to dream more, and to smile even more.
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TOUCHING
And if you think there could be nothing better than the legendary dragons of Danijela's magical world of rocks, here is more!
Danijela can lure you into yet another magical world of little stone houses with the most intricate details, cheerful colours, and a happy feel.
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A FEEL OF BLUE
You can dive deep in Danijela's hues of blue. It is as if the whole Greece and all the waves of the Mediterranean sea have collapsed into Danijela's rock designs. When surrounded by them, some colors can become an endless source of energy; and this is what Danijela's rocks are: endless sources of optimism and positive energy.
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ADORABLE COLLECTIBLES
Flipping through the photos I have saved for this article, I found myself thinking of the little child who gets to meet Danijela's work. How many of these would they (and us!) want to collect? How many moments of inspiration and story telling would they gain just by holding such beautiful rocks?
This is what makes our art stand out from the other's: with our paintings we offer moments of joy and inspiration to all who touch our rocks. I keep the hope to own one of Danijela's rocks some day, until then I remain with my honest admiration.
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This is an article written by Christine Onward with the consent of the artist.
*Each Wednesday an artist and their works of art will be selected and presented to you in a few lines and images. If you want to be the next artist featured on our blog, please drop a message on rock_street@yahoo.com.
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Dear Rachel, I need to say that I have been following your media accounts for quite a few years. I have since admired your ingenuity, your talent, and your energy to create the most astonishing works of art! How did it all start and where do you get your inspiration from?
Thank you so much to you and everyone for following my accounts! I can't believe I've been doing this for almost 7 years now, and for the last 4 years on a full time basis!
At first I just wanted to get all of my creativity out and share it with whoever was willing to see it.
Now my passion is to also show others what I have taught myself, tips and tricks; lessons I have learned and mistakes I have made, as well as to create unique rock jewels that everyone can love.
Colour is my eye candy. I'm inspired by so many wonderful artists and places I could only get the chance to see through the internet world. Pinterest has so many beautiful artists, ideas and creativity; It's one of my favourite places to get inspired.
Over the last years your innovative work had a major contribution to the world of rock art.Can you tell us more about your ideas and how they positively changed the way we do rock painting these days?
I am always looking for ways to make my artwork stand out.
As everyone might already know, I use a lot of metallic paints and glitters. At first I wasn't very happy with they way they shined, as I wanted my stones to be as bold, colourful, and sparkling as possible!
I saw what resin did to paintings on canvas and fell in love! I was a little scared to play with it at first. I made a few mistakes, but the result was exactly what I had been looking for. It was magical!!!
As for my DIY fine lining brush, it has helped so much!! I had spent so much money on brushes over the years! I would purchase every fine brush I could find and it never did what I needed. Lines were always too thick or too sloppy, and I felt that I would never learn the magical techniques of the big artists, their fine lines and details.
So I took scissors to my brushes!! As a child, I used to take scissors to my dolls' hair (and sometimes my own) and it had not turned out well! Now, however, my brushes have never been so awesome! I was no longer wasting my hard earned money on expensive brushes for my line work. This helped me so much - I had to share!
Here s a link to Rachel's tutorial on how to prepare your brushes for fine lining on rocks: https://youtu.be/URuCcQfG020 :
I use a variety of dotting tools, what I find work best are Nail dotting tools, with two different sizes on each one. They are perfect for most dots but you can find great things around your home for dotting as well. For instance knitting needles, toothpicks, sewing needles, the opposite end of your paint brushes have different sizes to play with as well!
The hits on your YouTube and Facebook tutorials are sky-rocketing these days. Tell us more about these tutorials. What are they about and who are they addressed to?
Just over a year ago I began sharing rock painting tutorials and it was terrifying!! I am still not very good at editing, still learning every single time I post something new. My favorite part of a tutorial is painting the stone. It could take a couple of hours to paint a stone and a full day (or longer!) to just to edit the video and have it ready to post on YouTube.
Sometimes I lose bits and pieces of my video that were really important so I end up having to redo the whole thing. Editing tends one of the most frustrating and time consuming parts of my career. However, when I think at the amount of people I'm helping, it makes it all worth it!
Each tutorial is edited with love and sometimes tears, but they are made for all those who want to create beautiful things.
Here are some of my favourite tutorials you might want to have a look at:
How to resin your stone: https://youtu.be/76K9Exf-v6Q
Sunflower on a Santorini stone: https://youtu.be/b2ES1l0-KtM
Zentangle paw painting on a stone: https://youtu.be/p8KjekWjAhI
Painting a dotted dragonfly: https://youtu.be/0iWQXZb6T9g
You are offering so much to the other fellow artists: beauty of art, inspiration, and enormously useful ideas. What do you expect in return?
We need to have more positivity and beauty in our lives. From kids to seniors, I want people to know that they have this creative vibe running through them!! You don't have to go to an art school to be an artist. Painting is extremely therapeutic, it calms our soul, and it gives us a healthy outlet.
To end here, I know it's a difficult one, I would like to ask you who are the artists you mostly admire and are thankful to?
This is so hard to answer because there are just so many people I admire and so many artists that deserve recognition. These are only a few of my favourites:
Bob Ross (of course),fellow Canadian artist Elspeth McLean,and Australian artist Ben Heine.
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An Indonesian Journey with Putut Agus
To celebrate an artist who made a significant contribution to the expression of art in RockStreet Collective, I chose to present to you today a snapshot of the spectacular work of Indonesian artist Putut Agus.
In search for words to celebrate his creations I first came with ORIGINALITY.
Originality is the quality of art we always aim at. For most of us finding an original pathway to express ourselves as rock artists can become a real struggle, sometimes a dream impossible to achieve. But some artists are born with the gift of originality. They have it within themselves and makes their art even more extraordinary.
Here is how I would summarise Putut’s art in just a few words:
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REMARKABLY ORIGINAL
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INVENTIVE
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EMOTIONALLY THRILLING
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INSPIRING
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INSPIRATIONAL
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This is an article written by Christine Onward with the consent of the artist. *Each Wednesday an artist and their works of art will be selected and presented to you in a few lines and images. If you want to be the next artist featured on our blog, please drop a message on rock_street@yahoo.com.
Today's article is dedicated to those who, like me, feel that life has given them a SECOND CHANCE. I found Corrina's story one early morning on Instagram. Until then I had it in my heart that I was the only one (or one of the very few) who were living A LIFE FOR RENT, and was trying to make the most of it in their own terms. To me, Corrina's words were beyond inspiring, they were revealing!
And if I am like her -on a journey- and I am not alone anymore, I am sure there will be more like us out there, just waiting for this awakening experience to happen to them too.
With these, I will let you absorb the story. I do expect you to treat it with all due respect, gratitude, and the compassion it deserves.
Hi everyone,
For all those who decided to take the time to read my story, let me introduce myself.
I am Corrina Marie Canning, wild woman, Artrepreneur and Nature Enthusiast. Mother to Mitchell aged 25, grandmother to Matteo aged 3, and daughter to Dora, ageless.
I am also an artist, a tarot reader, a seeker of all things love, light, and colour. I LOVE to travel, whether it be to other countries, beaches, forests, and outside of my own mind. I am positively obsessed with sacred geometric patterns, energy, and colour.
I'll tell you something personal about my history, to give you all some insight into how I came to paint mandalas.
7 years ago I lost a baby about halfway through my pregnancy. We were on a family vacation in Cuba when it happened, hours away from the closest hospital. Thank goodness my mom was with me; I hemorrhaged badly and had an out-of-body experience on the way to the hospital.
I don’t know for how long. It seemed like lifetimes and seconds. The place I went was not a tunnel or a white light. It was like Aurora Borealis, rich in colour which I still can’t find a name for. The colours had sound, frequency, and they spoke to me and within me. I understood what felt like everything.
When I woke up in a hospital bed the next day, my body bruised and broken, but alive, I had an entirely new lease on life. And although I had always been an artist, that experience shifted the way I perceived, felt, heard and expressed it!
Within the next year I went to Bali, Indonesia with the intention to heal my body and emotions of the trauma. I had the privilege of a healing with a woman named Jero, who also saw what I had seen on the other side. She told me the colour consciousness had a message for me: that if I wanted to grow my life, I had to learn to LET GO.
She had a vision of me Painting Mandalas, holding a paintbrush. But I didn't know how to paint yet! Returning from that life changing trip I purchased my first paints, canvases and brushes. I trusted my intuition and allowed it to guide my hand.
A few months into this (oh such a fun journey!!), the first Mandala "channelled" through.
Whenever I tried to draw or paint one of my accords, nothing happened. It was disastrous. So I learned to surrender into a trance state, and this is where the magic flowed through.
Since then, I have been painting Mandalas on every kind of surface smooth enough to do it on.
I always think-breathe-flow Sacred Geometry everywhere and in everything. I see the whole world in a vast colour spectrum that endlessly fascinates and inspires me.
This photo was taken shortly after the Bali experience, as my body, emotions, and spirit were healing from the loss. I've learned that even the darkest of times bring the greatest of Treasures. What I am birthing into this world is whatever my guides, or spirit, or colour consciousness leads me to. I am an instrument. And every day I am so grateful for this gift to be able to express the world the way I see it.
I thank you all for reading my story, for following my art, and for sharing your comments with me,.
It means more than you could all know 💖.
With gratitude, Corrina xoxo
This Wednesday I'm taking you on a Mediterranean ride to beautiful Annalisa Cacciatore in Florence, Italy. Annalisa is a wonderfully talented person, mastering the art of rock painting like rarely seen in our days. She is known worldwide for the exquisite quality of her painted rocks in the form of wearable art. More of Annalisa's creations for you to admire and enjoy are on Hakuna Matata Italy on Facebook and @ hakuna_matata_italy on Instagram
I hope you enjoy all Annalisa's works of art inspiring:
HARMONY
ELEGANCE
MEDITERRANEAN VIBES
STRENGTH
and JOY
You can discover and enjoy more art on rocks on our Facebook group, RockStreet Collective.
More painted rocks for sale are HERE
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Today I have the extraordinary occasion of interviewing the most significant collector of rock art of our days, amazingly supportive person, and activist of kindness in the world of art, Parrish Jefferson.
Exactly a year ago Parrish began her Instagram journey and started collecting painted rocks. Since then she has been encouraging hundreds of artists to continue their work, promoted rock art campaigns, and acquired art works from artists from all around the world! If you are one of those artists who had the chance to meet and talk with Parrish, you will agree that she never failed to show her endless passion for rock art.
Hope you enjoy the reading and her beautifully painted rocks.
Stay blessed,
Christine Onward
Who is Parrish Jefferson and how did this passion for art begin?
I'm just a gal from Texas, highly educated but have never been able to keep a stable career due to my husband's job which required frequent reassignments. It allowed me to see much of the world though. They also translated into helping me relate to artists from many places, in every corner of the globe!
At last estimation I have about 350 rocks! I collect all genres, colors, themes etc., from USA, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Latvia, Korea, Indonesia, every country in Europe. What's heartbreaking is that in some countries postal costs are so high, it isn't even feasible to do business with the artists who live there. It is frustrating for them and myself all the time, unfortunately.
Displaying so many rocks has become really challenging for me. I often display in vignettes featuring certain colors or by theme (such as my Southwestern Style collection or that with a Native American look). I've also collected special bowls from several artists to provide more beautiful displays for rocks. I even have some on wall sconces! It's almost time, however, to purchase some new wall shelves!
Has collecting painted rocks changed your life in any way?
Collecting rocks and becoming part of the rock painting community on Instagram has changed my life in so many positive ways I'd never dreamed possible!It began with a simple first purchase....from Valeria Campagna. Boy, did I set the bar high! I was so impressed, that I posted awful pictures (my fault!) and shared my excitement with the few followers I had. That began one of the most important relationships in my life. Valeria is a dear friend and actually, we will be working together soon on a new project involving Etsy, other artists, and it will include opportunities for new artists as well! That's all I can say at this point, but I'll be making announcements in May.
I also have in the works a world wide 'Rock Olympics' (rather an annual rock painting competition). N.A. More details about this event will be published in a few weeks on this website
With the positive feedback received from posting such beautiful works, collecting rocks soon became a passionate hobby! I had to hone my staging and photography skills and learn what a hashtag was! I made an advice sheet for new artists who wanted to make a name and sell Art. Artists then began coming to me for advice, wanting to be featured on my page; this was an honor to me and a happy and productive use of my time. It's been a joy.
Over the last year you have shown tremendous support for rock artists from USA and from across the globe. You frequently tag new artists in your posts, share their achievements, encourage new releases and new campaigns. Why? Where is this desire and energy to help others coming from?
As I collect from established and well known artists as well as beginners, I tend to meet thousands of them, even tangentially! I fully believe that one's motives are what matters in this life of soul-growth. Therefore, helping artists, featuring their art to best highlight its beauty, to support and encourage, to introduce new talents...well, it's a way of paying it forward. Spreading beauty is always a treat! Further, promoting the business side of art is often distasteful to artists, so I help there as much as I can!
I also want people to know that artists have been VERY KIND to me! Not a week goes by without receiving gift rocks I didn't even realize had been sent! I'd estimate at least 30% of my rocks have been gifts. I consider that I'm overpaid in unexpected, generous gifts and say as much when people commend me for helping artists! And by the way, I never charge and never have, for any help. It just wouldn't feel comfortable for me.
I know this is going to be very difficult to respond to, but is there a specific rock in your collection that has a special significance for you or story attached to it that is worth talking about?
I do admit to having one favorite stone. Valeria painted the 'Parrish Rock' inspired by my energy (her words) and it is not only sentimentally the most meaningful rock, but also aesthetically one of the most beautiful rocks you'd ever hope to see! It has a sacred place in my home, with her framed words, and Christine, when I received it, it felt like I had won a Grammy or the Nobel Peace Prize!
Over this last year since your Instagram launching, you have surrounded yourself with a huge number of rock artists of outstanding talent and success. Along the way, some of them have also become good friends. Could you mention some of your artist friends?
They will be so many! I will only mention SOME of my wonderful, talented, and amazing artist friends, I do hope you will jump to check on their accounts for their art works are absolutely divine: Valeria Campagna, Andrea Moebes, Yosy, Purvi Patel, Sandi O., Corrina Marie Canning, Oti's Art Studio, Summer Tan, Vallerie, and special regards to Viola, Karin Getaz and, the Empress, Liona Hotta
Last but not least, knowing so many artists and being involved so deeply in their creative world, what is the message you would like to send to them? Can art change things for the better?
The last words would be about the great therapeutic value of rock painting. Painting on rocks is something everyone should experience. It's calming, fun, creative whether one has innate skill or not.
Recently however consciousness has been raised regarding the ubiquitous problem of art theft. I've done several postings and had dozens of artists contact me in distraught over this issue. Artists, please tag those who inspire you, never take advantage from a peer's design, and finally, if it happens to you... TAKE ACTION! Let's keep this world of rock painting a beautiful thing!
Parrish and I are welcoming your comments in the section below. Also you can make inquiries or add info on rock_street@yahoo.com.
If interested to buy, the rocks for SALE are here.
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I spent time with this painting thinking about Transylvania: the dark blue skies of the summer nights with the orange moon above, larger than all mountains, fantastically reflecting on the forest trees. And the stars, looking straight at you, shining straight into your eyes, and the crickets endlessly singing songs of love for their dear ones…
If done with passion and from the heart, painting has the power to take you to some of the most amazing and perhaps long forgotten memories from the past.
Painting this design took me to cousin Ghita and the night when we were waiting for the wild boars.
NIGHTS IN FASCA – Transylvanian adventures with cousin Ghita
I am 11 or 12 years old. Cousin Ghita, my best mate and most honest accomplice, 11 years old too. Days are long in summer, so many soccer games to play, so many trees to climb, geese to fly to the river, cows to run to the forest…
Wild boars have been pestering everyone across the village. We have to guard the maize from them all night until the sunrise. Then we are allowed to rest.
I jump with joy, looking forward to spending the whole night under the starry skies, covered in that large sheep skin, laying in the hay smelling of summer flowers…
But uncle decides I’m not allowed to go. What has a city girl, all silly and clumsy as me, got to do with wild boars? I must stay in my room. And I’m not allowed to protest in any way. Because it's terribly rude to not obey your relatives in Transylvania. Uncle is merciless these days.
Late in the night I try to sleep but the thought of the wild boars sneaking through the trees straight into the corn field is not easy to ignore. I hear voices at the window, like whispers calling my name. I'm not scared. It's just whispers, calling my name from outside.
I jump out the window, without no shoes, just bare feet. Cousin Ghita is waiting for me with neighbour Cornel both holding the big sheep skin coat so that I don’t get cold.
We have to march quickly down the hill, to check Cornel’s maize.
I walk in Cornel’s shoes. He doesn’t need them. He hated them anyway. To me the shoes are too large and too noisy. But I mustn't say anything, or I scare the night.
Cornel carries a little light pointing at dark animal pathways, secret holes in the trees, plants leaving chaotic shadows under our steps…
Cornel likes talking about dead men. How they also took this way to go to the valley. You can never hear their steps in the grass, because they are dead. But you can feel them cold, like a breeze, sticking to the back of your neck until you get stiff and can’t move anymore.
I walk slowly behind Cornel and in front of cousin Ghita. If there were to be dead men passing by, then there will definitely not be my neck for them to stick to, because I am wisely walking in the middle of the line, not behind, like cousin Ghita.
There are no wild boars roaming through Cornelu’s maize. It’s silence. Only deep in the forest there is a chilling whisper of leaves and sometimes night birds shouting sadly at long forgotten ghosts…
We return to the little hut that uncle built for the boys at the corn field. I hide inside, hoping that cold breeze bodies don’t get stuck to the back of my neck. The ship skin coat smells revolting, but it’s warm and soft. I can close my eyes and listen to cousin Ghita and neighbour Cornel chatting away outside…
Apparently if the devil follows you in the dark, it will definitely want to call you by your name. But you should know it’s the devil. Don't ever turn your head to see who called you in the dark. Keep walking or you’ll lose your mind and voice forever...
As my eyes are slowly going down to sleep, I hear whispers of my name inside the tent. A terrifying low voice whispers my name, calling me to follow it in the dark!
I jump outside, hardly being able to breathe from fear, and start screaming: “It’s here! It’s here!” I hit the empty metal pot, making terrible noise while the boys are laughing their heads off.
The next minute, up on the mountain and all around the village hills I see fires lighting up. It was my shouting that woke them up. Everyone is banging onto metal pots to scare the wild boars. A concert of bangs, and shouts, and howling echoing from all corners of the village! It felt like it lasted forever.
At sunrise uncle finds the three of us in deep sleep around the sheep skin coat, “like newborn lambs”.
“What a happy gang, he says. The whole village is in frenzy. There's been talk that boars have been going through everyone’s corn fields. All night long the boars moved along the line of the mountains... And here you are, sleeping like angels. Bet you have no idea what happened last night”
Cousin Ghita looks in the distance, like a wise old man and sighs deeply.. in the most dramatic voice he says: “Bet nobody does”. I can hardly keep myself from laughing. Cornel keeps busy trying to recover his shoes from my feet.
Here is Fasca,the village of the wild boars, shining fantastically in strange shapes and colours under the moon light. I’d tell you more stories if you want. But we’ll have to ask cousin Ghita for permission first. Maybe he would like to tell you more Transylvanian stories, much better than mine.
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Welcome to this week’s Rock Street article about the work and lives of artists from around the globe!
Today I am really proud to share with you an exclusive interview with a wonderful person, yoga fanatic, and amazingly talented rock artist, Pamela Campbell! How yoga practising, meditation, and creating works of art fit into her daily life, is here is for you discover.
Wishing you days filled with hope and inspiration,
Pamela, thank you for agreeing to take part in this interview. Before we begin, I would like to invite our readers to embark on a journey to your country and the places you live in and love so much. Which are these places?
I am from Eastern Kentucky, living on the foothills of the Pine Mountain. This is where I have lived my entire life. My whole world belongs to this place. I just can’t imagine living anywhere without trees and grass!
Since I met you, I have been constantly impressed by your hard work and motivation to improve your yoga skills and abilities every day. Tell us a little about this passion. How did you begin? How did yoga become such an important part of your life?
I started yoga in my forties. Like most women when they hit this age, I started feeling all frumpy and not attractive anymore. So I began practicing a lot, mostly from videos, until I could learn a great deal. Now I just do my own flow from what I learned. I mostly do vinyasa flows with a little ashtanga and kundalini exercises.
One incredible thing about yoga is that you never stop learning. Thirteen years later, and I still have so many things to learn!
You have a special talent and passion for painting on rocks. When did you start rock painting and how?
My love for rock painting began in 2013. Like most people I was browsing through Pinterest when I saw these beautiful rocks. I went to the river bank, gathered a few rocks, and this how the painting began!
I started with dot styles, mostly. Then I developed to a freehand style, which is just looking at something and painting it.
My favorite things to paint are Buddhas, animals, and of course flowers. I have used watercolors before but acrylics are my paint of choice. The colors I use the most tend to be green, red, and blue.
I've probably painted over 200 rocks. It's like adding life to a stone that's been soulless in the nature for so long. It's a wonderful feeling.
How does rock painting and yoga fit together into your life? What draws you to engaging into these activities every day?
I think rock painting and yoga go hand in hand because they are both forms of meditation. Yoga and painting are also forms of art. When my painting gets better so does my practice. This is why I feel that I need them both to become better.
Passionate about beauty and rocks? Here are other painted rocks of stunning quality and wonderful designs for you to have a look at.
More other amazing stories of our Rock Street artists, Here
]]>Today I am happy to share with you an exclusive interview with artist Misty Day from Ohio, USA! Recently Misty Day had the amazing opportunity of travelling to Central America on a humanitarian mission she would never forget. How her marvelous artistic skills and beautiful rocks fitted in the event is for you to find out next.
Warm regards and days with hope and inspiration,
Christine Onward
Could you begin by telling us what was "Mission Honduras" about, how long did it last, and what was its main purpose?
There is a wonderful charity called One Child Matters that helps people sponsor children all over the world. These children live in economically challenged areas and sponsorship grants them free medical care, meals, education, and much more. This 7 day trip to Honduras was organized by One Child Matters so that people who sponsor children, can actually go meet them. I have been sponsoring a little girl, Daniela, in Honduras for almost two years now and I was thrilled with the idea of meeting her and her family!
Could you tell us a few words about the places you visited in Honduras. What were the most impressive things you saw?
Since this trip was geared towards working with the sponsored children and their families, we spent most of our time in the capital city, Tegucigalpa.
Except for Tegucigalpa, we didn’t travel to many additional places. We did visit several families and the beauty of their neighborhoods was really inspiring to an artist like myself. The last day we were there, we saw a couple of cathedrals and a very creative arts display in the center of the capital. I took so many pictures while I was there because the colors and textures were amazing!
What were your main concerns and expectations before embarking on this journey? Did the Honduras experience end up being as you had imagined it to be?
I have traveled a lot, but this was my first Mission trip to Central America. I was worried about the dangers of the area and the possibility of getting sick while there. We were strictly advised to stay with our guides at all times and to NEVER drink the water. There was one evening when protesters set up blockades all over the city and we were trapped on our bus for over 3 hours! Despite that, I still have only wonderful memories of my trip and can’t wait to go back.
How did your wonderfully painted rocks fit into this event? Did you take any rocks with you? Also please tell us about the rock painting classes you had there!
Well, I only started painting rocks about a year ago and that was about the same time I had decided to go on this trip. It had never occurred to me that the rocks could be a great way to raise the money, but a co-worker asked if he could have one of my rocks if he donated to my trip. I’m glad he asked because I started posting my rocks on Facebook and requests flooded in!
Selling my rocks helped me pay for the entire trip. And as the trip got closer I decided I would paint a special name rock for each child. When one of the trip organizers found out how much money I had raised and about the rocks I was taking as gifts, they asked if I would be interested in teaching a rock painting class while I was there. She thought that could be a fun activity and possible a creative money making skill for the people there.
I know it's difficult to decide, but could you describe what were the most amazing moments you experienced in Honduras? Were there any people who impressed you the most? Was there a moment you felt you would never forget?
That is a difficult question indeed because each day was amazing in its own way. One moment that stands out was shortly after my second rock painting class. One of the mothers came up to me and she was so excited to show me the rocks she had painted. They were so good! This was the first time in her life that she had been given the opportunity to paint and she told me (through an interpreter) that she was going to keep painting and hopefully earn money for her family. I still tear up thinking about that moment because my simple hobby of rock painting brought her joy and could possibly help her earn an income in the future.
Among all the lessons you learnt during this journey, is there one that you would like to share with us?
When people asked me about my trip, I’ve been telling them it gave me two important things: purpose and perspective. I’ve always enjoyed painting on rocks and teaching classes, but seeing how art could impact on the lives of these people has made me determined to continue in this mission. Leslie, the directory of the center told me that it was so difficult to bring art to their area because no one had any extra money or time for those kinds of things. She cried as she thanked me for bringing art and the story of Kindness Rocks to their community. And due to the large donation of a local art gallery, I was able to tell her that all the supplies we used for the class were being left for them and their community so they can paint whenever they liked!
It’s also very humbling to give a child a simple thing like a rock with their name on it and watch them begin to cry. It reminds you of how little so many people have and how important it is to make everyone feel special.
I’ll never take my life for granted after this trip and I wake up every morning knowing how truly blessed I am.
The BLUE Rock Event has now ended and, I must say, it was an unexpected success! I am still in awe at how much your imagination, hard work and passion have added to the world of painted rocks! A big thank you to all artists of the RockStreet Collective platform for sharing your blue painted rocks with us, thank you for your encouragements and support for each other during this event, and for making the world a better place. You rock!
Also big round of applause for amazing artist Tünde Fodor whose wonderful rock won the popularity prize on Instagram! I am sure you will be charmed by her innocence, ingenuity and fantastic talent.
" I want my rocks to give people smiles and make them feel special"
Christine: First of all, congratulations for your amazing success on Instagram! So many beautiful rocks were featured on the RockStreet page but you were the most popular contender! Tell me how did you grow into creating such beautiful works of art?
Tünde: I've only started painting about one year ago. I never thought I would become a rock painter, although I did love drawing art in school and also painted on pebbles like any other kid. But at some point I had the chance to do a painting in oil at my mother-in-law's. I still remember what a calm, fulfilling moment it was... and this is when I fell in love with creating art!
Since that day, I never stopped painting. I started collecting rocks from the nearest lake. I was focusing more on shapes, regardless the rough surface of the rock. And kept on trying until it felt right.
Christine: What does painting on rocks mean to you?
Tünde: Painting on rocks is like a new love. I've always loved the colours of nature, the colours of the seasons, the colours of my clothes, make up, even the colours I associate with my moods. The colours I use in my paintings are just a new source of excitement in life. That's why I continue painting.
Christine: What are the things you mostly like painting on rocks?
Tünde: Well...this is a never ending story for me. I never get bored of the things that I paint and I'm always full of fresh new ideas! I have so many things in mind that I would like to paint, so many media I would like to try working with, so many materials to use. Since I'm only new in rock painting, I feel it's never enough and there are still so many things I need to try and learn! Of all these, one thing I know for sure: I want to keep on painting, I want to make more time for my rock passion and see myself in ten years still doing this with the same pleasure I'm doing it now.
Christine: What is your biggest dream when it comes to rock painting?
Tünde: First of all, I want to see people satisfied with what I create. I want my rocks to give them smiles and make them feel special. Then I dream of selling my rocks at markets and one day who knows?, maybe have an exhibition of my own painted rocks!
I will end the interview here by thanking Tunde and all other artists for their contribution to the BLUE Rock Event in RockStreet Collective.
Next month's event will be dedicated to rock animals. If you think your rocks deserve to shine among other artists' works, do give them a chance to be featured on all our accounts including Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and this website.
You are all invited to have a look at last month's winning artist, Lidia Zingerle. Her interview and amazing rocks are Here.
If you are interested in viewing our rocks for sale or purchasing one, have a look at our most recent collections Here
Interested in selling your painted rock artworks on this website? Contact me at: rock_street@yahoo.com and I am happy to explain to you how it works.
Choose a venue that relates to your own kind of art!
]]>As you undoubtedly remember, few weeks ago our RockStreet Collective group of rock artists honoured the beauty of using the colour red in our stone paintings.
Astonishing patterns, intricate shapes, hidden symbols, love and thrill, they were all captured in the most fascinating painted rocks there are. Here is one of my most recent articles capturing some of the most beautiful red rocks posted in RockStreet Collective.
Each participating artist had the chance to be featured on Instagram every day for an entire week. At the end of the week, the most successful artists of the RED WEEK event on Facebook and Instagram were Lysa Mignot from France and Lidia Zingerle from Italy.
In honour of such event, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you today one of the winning artists, Lidia Zingerle, and some of her amazing creations on rock.
"Hello everybody! My Name is Lidia Zingerle, and I am from South Tyrol in Northern Italy.
10 years ago I started painting rocks, and now it has become my every day passion!!"
"I take all of my rocks from the rivers of the region I live in. I love the nature and because of this, I also use natural decorations such as old wood pieces to complete my artworks.To paint my rocks, I only use acrylic paint but no clear coating."
"My biggest motivation to continue painting on rocks is the smile on people's faces when they appreciate my work.
I usually sell my rocks at creative-expos in South Tyrol, but I also ship them worldwide."
"Since I joined RockStreet Collective, I have become even more inspired. I enjoy watching other artists' creations, their different styles and cultural influences from all over the world.
If you want to see more of my rocks, please visit my Facebook page Steinmalerei Lidia Zingerle and Instagram @steinmalerei. Thank you."
**To all RockStreet Collective friends, I would like to thank you again for taking part in our RED WEEK event. You are amazing! Beginnig with 29th of June, I will launch a new event of colours and joy on rocks. Stay tuned!**
]]>This is a story of how and where I painted this rock. Hope you enjoy.
]]>I am inviting you to live, if only for a moment, in the village of Turquoise. Here skies shimmer behind white clouds, houses smile in children’s cartoon colors and flowers spread out in never-ending-blossoms. And if you shut the outside world for just a little bit, you can also smell the sweet scent of the gardens, feel the warm touch of the breeze on your face and hear children laugh high up in the colorful hot air balloons.
I painted this rock in Walgett, little town of the Australian outback where the shop windows are covered with metal bars, motel gates close long before dark and fire ants live, to my endless concern, undisturbed everywhere.
The motel room is small and dark but it smells nice. If I open the curtais, I can let the light fall smoothly on the desk, and I can paint. And all the noise from my thoughts and the outside world will disappear.
The desk is small, I can barely spread my palms on it. Some Sam had scratched his name in a corner with small clumsy letters. I think of bored Sam whose dad probably enjoys one or two with the mates at the pub and mom looks after the little one outside…
I think of Sam and want to take him with me to a place where there are no dark motels, rooms crammed with stuff or boring days – just cheerful hot air balloons.
Take blue, add white, then yellow, little bit of green… TURQUOISE! Time stops, flowers bloom, children hide in colourful balloons, soul travels and not a single thought of pain.
I stayed at the little desk for the whole afternoon. At times I had to hold Caesar on my lap as he wanted to bark at every person strolling by outside. But dogs were not allowed at any Walgett motels. So I had to constantly repeat : “Shhh, be quiet. They'll know you're here!” . He put his little nose under my arm, now he’s invisible and quiet, and I find myself smiling and paint again, as much as I can, holding everything with only one hand.
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Stones are like treasure chests. They capture inside the purity of the universe, the power of waves, whirling winds, and roughness of sand. We only add our story, with colors, brushes and no words – just love.
Red appears to be the colour that artists have been using the most in their art works. It is suggested that the value of a piece of art will increase dramatically just by using red in its composition. Recent studies also suggest that at least 77% of the art works in history have used predominantly the red colour.
But why is red so highly appraised in the world of art? And how is this preference for red reflected in the art rock painting?
Here are a few of the most significant explanations I found when it comes to using red in rock painting. To exemplify I used a number of rocks by the artists of RockStreet Collective, recently posted in the group.
Probably the most common suggestion for the use of red in art is love. Being such an intense, “hot” color, artists have used red to convey emotions such as passion, happiness, or intense love.
But how do you represent love on a painted rock?
You may use the symbol of love heart
Flowers painted on rocks in red may also elicit feelings of love:
Red is believed to make you happy
Red is such a powerful eye-catching colour that can make us quickly attracted to what we see. This is probably why, for outstanding designs, artists are prone to using red more than any other colours of the spectrum.
Red is used to reflect beauty in nature , as seen in the feathers of these fascinating birds:
Red is also suggested to enhance strength, confidence and optimism. Here are some outstanding decorations using different hues of red:
And some more red? How about romantic landscapes with a red sky at dawn?
I will conclude here, although the story could continue with no end. Red painted rocks can make for a wonderful piece of decoration. Being a powerful colour which triggers intense emotions such as love, passion, happiness, the colour that attracts attention and makes every piece of art more desirable. There is no reason why you shouldn't try it for yourself.
***If you think your red work of art stands out from the crowd, feel free to post your rock in RockStreet Collective. We celebrate RED week on our Instagram account starting from 4th to 10th of June. There will be two artist winners every day!! Winning rocks will be featured on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and website. Looking forward to meeting you too.
More RED rocks for sale Here.
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Strategies are, of course, multiple but what I would like to focus on today is the right use of hashtags for your content.
So what is the right number of hashtags I should use in order to become more visible out there? Research has shown that interactions on Instagram are significantly higher if you use 11 to 15 hashtags associated with your posts.
With fewer than 10 hashtags, you probably cover only a minimal part of all possible audience. And that’s such a shame because a story as special as yours goes pretty much unknown and undiscoverable.
Therefore get creative, get wise, get bold…(but not too greedy! Accounts with more than 20 hashtags for every post have proven less efficient and with a rate of retraction higher than those who keep it wise around 15).
Here are some of the most relevant categories of hashtags you can use on Instagram to increase traffic on your account:
Reach audience by advertising the type of product you have created. Someone out there might be explicitly looking for a #paintedrock but will not be able to reach you as you haven’t told anyone about your product.
Simple examples for this category: #rock, #paintedrock, #paintedstone, #stonepainting, #rockpainting etc.
Here are some rocks posted in RockStreet Collective with suggested hashtags:
Yes, as simple as that. If I wanted a painted elephant from an artist on Instagram, I would obviously search for elephant, elephant painting, or painted elephant. Tell me your painted elephant is there too.
Here are some examples of hashtags for these rocks posted on RockStreet Collective:
You can now picture your product in the most exciting, unusual, or most frequented places of the world. Just tell the others where your product would best fit in.
Here are some examples: #homedecoration, #paperweight, #bookend, #garden, #yogaretreat etc
Here’s what I came up with for these rocks:
#4 This category allows you to play even more with your hashtags. You can go with:
Examples: #handpainted, #carving, #scratching
Examples: #acrylics, #glitter, #napkin
(this one is very relevant if you aim at selling your product)
Examples: #dots, #waterproof, #unique, #oneofakind
Think simple: Is this product suitable for a special occasion? What is the event that my rock/painting would really fit into?
Examples: #newborn, #mothersday, #Easter, #wedding
This category is very much related to the previous category. If you chose an occasion such as #Christmas, try to also talk to the person who wants to buy something for Christmas. You can choose : #grandma, #charity, #breastcancerfoundation etc. Just picture the person, instead of the event.
This is just a generic title for you to remember to also choose some vastly used hashtags (e.g. #love, #art, #tbt, #artvsartist). They might not be as efficient as the previous ones so far, but imagine the million spectators out there to whom you are associating yourself with. Sky is the limit!
This comes at the opposite pole of #7. You have thrown a little fish in the vast ocean. Your rock might get unnoticed though, as there were so many at that time using the same hashtag. So why not create your own, representative pool of hashtags?
Here are some good ones I found on Instagram:
– tag personalities, magazines or media accounts that might be interested in your product.
I’ll tell you this little story of an amazing photographer from India, Dipen Joshi. His only dream was to be featured on the National Geographic account some day. I cannot describe the physical and financial efforts he’s put into achieving this dream! Tens and tens of hours of travelling to the most remote places, learning how to choose the best spots, to edit, to build the story and so on. But most importantly, he stubbornly tagged National Geographic with each and every Instagram post. You would have guessed by now that he WAS eventually featured on National Geographic and probably only he can describe what a great achievement this must have been for him.
Use a hashtag that might bring these people to you. After all, they are always in search for new talents.
With this category I thought of attracting the more knowledgeable Instagram users. Think about art critics, historians, journalists etc. Such tags might not always fit with what you create, but once in a while I am sure you could associate yourself with certain décor trends, art movements a.s.o.
Here are some examples I thought of: #bloomsbury, #dotillism, #bohochic, #naiveart, #folkart
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