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WHAT ARE THE ROCK STORIES ABOUT? - CHRISTINE ONWARD'S INVITATION TO DISCOVER THE MEANING OF THE STORIES SHE PAINTS ON ROCK 6

"My painted rocks invite you on magical journeys never seen to the eye before, but imagined, dreamed of, and felt in smiles.", Christine Onward

WHAT ARE MY PAINTED STORIES ABOUT?

BIRD OF MAGIC, painted rock by Christine Onward , for sale 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

DUST OF STARS, original painted rock by Christine Onward , for sale HERE 

 

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

A VILLAGE OF SUMMER, painted rock by Christine Onward , for sale HERE 

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.

ITALIAN TRAVELS, painted rock by Christine Onward , for sale HERE 

 

3. MY ROCK STORIES CONNECT YOU WITH YOUR INNER CHILD

BLOOMS OF SPRING, painted rock by Christine Onward , for sale HERE 

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.

A TASMANIAN MORNING, painted rock by Christine Onward , for sale HERE 

 

4. MY ROCK STORIES INVITE YOU TO SMILE

Painted rocks collections by Christine Onward, for sale HERE 

 

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.

FADING DREAMS, painted rock by Christine Onward , for sale HERE

 

BOATS ON ROCKS - 10 MOST FAVOURITE ROCKS AND MY COLLECTION OF BOAT PAINTINGS 19

 TEN OF MY FAVOURITE BOAT PAINTINGS ON ROCKS AND THE ARTISTS WHO CREATED THEM

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.

Art on rocks by Christine Onward. More details are here | Instagram |

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:

Painted rock by Lefteris Kanetis | Facebook | Instagram |

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.

Painted rocks by Alessandra Scolari | Facebook | Instagram |

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.

Painted rock by Yana Khachikyan  | Facebook | Instagram |

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:

 

Painted rock by Kala Escobar | Website | Instagram |

5. LIUDMILA - IHTIANDRA ART

Painted rock by Liudmila at Ihtiandra Art | Website | Instagram |

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.

Painted rock by Gary Campbell  | Facebook | Instagram |

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:

Painted rock by Danijela Milosevic  | Facebook | Instagram |

8. KAREN - ART ROCKS BY KAREN

Painted rock by Karen at ArtRocks by Karen | Facebook | Instagram |

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.

 

Painted rock by Elizabeth Printz  | Facebook | 

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.

Painted rocks by Pakize Ozdemir | Facebook | Instagram |

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.

 

Painted rocks by Christine Onward  | Facebook | Instagram | For sale Here |

Painted rocks by Christine Onward  | For sale Here |

Painted rocks by Christine Onward  | For sale Here |

 

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

 

CREATIVE HOBBIES AND HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE YOUR WELL-BEING 16

In these daring times , living in the gloomy days of COVID 19 lock-downs, facing the loss of dear ones, the insecurity of our future, the hopeless inability to express ourselves in our old ways... how do we find a way out? How do we find ways to look forward to tomorrow, to relax, to smile, to live?



Rock art by Christine Onward. More details are here

Here are a few things I wanted to write to you about today:

Getting involved in an artistic hobby for two hours a week improves your mental well-being

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.    

Painted rocks of Old Bar, Australia. Simple ideas for everyone.

Everyday creativity improves your mood

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.

 My favourite creative activity: rock painting. More details about these rocks here

Engaging in a hobby means you dedicate yourself to something that brings you joy, meaning, and purpose

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

 

Preserving natural beauty: painted rock by Christine Onward

 

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.

"Lola" checking out on some of the most beautiful lookouts in Old Bar

 

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.

Preserving natural beauty: painted rocks by Christine Onward

 

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

Preserving natural beauty: painted rock by Christine Onward for sale here

 

Rocking the World – Australian Artists Making Their Mark in the World of Painted Rocks 6

The Indigenous art of Australia is considered to be the oldest unbroken tradition of art in the world.

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.

Aboriginal rock art in the Kimberley, Western Australia could be the oldest in the world. More details HERE

 

Original Aboriginal rock art "Dinuni" by Biripi artist Russel Saunders OAM

 

 

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.

 

Some of the most amazing paintings on rocks by artist Elspeth McLean | Facebook | Instagram | 

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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.

 

 Art of fluid emotions and brilliant colours by Karin Getaz | Instagram |

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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.

 Fun art in electrifying colours by artist Tammy Ward at Awkward Art Painted Rocks | Facebook | Instagram |

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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.

 

 Whimsical painted rocks by Scott Dodson at Rockhedz Art and Design | Facebook | Instagram |

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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.

 Wonderful art expression and skill: Painted rocks by Jan Singleton | Instagram | Website |  

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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.

Naive art on rocks by Christine Onward | Facebook | Instagram |

 

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.

 

 

MASTERS OF OUR DAYS - YVETTE BIEDERMANN. Realm of Happy Rocks 45

The Land of Living Rocks

- Welcome to Switzerland -

The life-like painted rocks by Yvette Biedermann | Facebook | Instagram | 

 

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.

Inviting you to hug and love them: painted rocks by Yvette Biedermann | Facebook | Instagram | 

 

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.

A world of happy cats: wonderful painted rocks by Yvette Biedermann | Facebook | Instagram |

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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:

Try not want to hug them: wonderful painted rocks by Yvette Biedermann | Facebook | Instagram |

 

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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:

Art in delicate shapes and colours: painted rocks by Yvette Biedermann | Facebook | Instagram |

 

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

Sweet kitten: most recent painted rock by Yvette Biedermann | Facebook | Instagram |

 

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.

More painted rocks for sale are HERE

 

WEDNESDAY SNAPSHOT - DANIJELA MILOSEVIC - Rocks with a Magical Touch 14

Art of Legends and Mediterranean Blues

-Welcome to Greece-

                                        

Breathtaking hues of blue and wonderful designs: painted rocks by Danijela Milosevic | Facebook | Instagram |

 

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.

Unique painted rock by Danijela Milosevic | Facebook | Instagram |

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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.

   

From the Lands of magic: painted rocks by Danijela Milosevic | Facebook | Instagram |

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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.

Painted rocks by Danijela Milosevic | Facebook | Instagram |

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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.

With a touch of Mediterranean blue: painted rocks by Danijela Milosevic | Facebook | Instagram |

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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? 

Unique painted rocks, art collectibles by Danijela Milosevic | Facebook | Instagram |

 

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.

 

 

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.