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WHAT'S YOUR BLUE? 19

Christine Onward talking about symbols of the blue colour in rock painting

Colours allow artists to express their ideas and reveal their inner self. For every rock painter colours not only evoke a certain mood, elicit a certain response from the viewers, but also work subliminally to create and send a particular message.

But what are the messages, moods, and inner responses elicited by the blue colour in rock painting?

BLUE art on rocks by Christine Onward. For sale HERE

 

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

      

Naïve art on rocks by artists Sussi Louise Smith | Pamela Campbell | Christine Onward

 

*With BLUE you can create sensations of FREEDOM and EXPANSIVENESS

  

Ocean theme in rock painting, different approaches by artists Kishan Patel | Leilani Holverson | Susanne Jensen

 

*BLUE is a universally soothing colour. Many artists embrace a blue palette to elicit CALM and MINDFULNESS

  

Mandala world in BLUE by artists Rachel Mitchell | Debby Hurst | Elena Marisol Gomez

 

*Beauty of nature and its fantastic livings are often represented with the use of BLUE 

  

A world of BLUE birds by artists Judy Smith | Aberline Attwood | 陳 泳澖 |

 

*Light BLUE is associated with TRANQUILITY and HEALING

  

 Soft BLUES to heal the soul- by artists Yvette Biedermann | Pascale Chevalier | Ralph Macias |

 

*You may use blue when creating art for those young at heart to elicit SINCERITY and HAPPY MOODS

  

Joyful art for the child in us by artists Christel de Laroche | Alex Jade | Danijela Milosevic 

 

*BLUE invites you to MELANCHOLY and RECOLLECTION

  

 BLUE dot art in rock painting by artists Lisa Orlans | Emily Clark | Sandra Silva | 

 

*Oriental cultures have used BLUE to express PIETY and STRENGTH

  

 The exotic world of the BLUE rocks by artists Yuk-moy Tan Tapia | Megan Wilhite | Shruti Rachael David | 

 

*Use BLUE to suggest PURITY and CONFIDENCE

  

The wonderful realm of wearable art on rocks by artists Lysa Mignot | Annalisa Cacciatore | Valeria Avossa | 

 

*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

  

 Fantastic decorative art on rocks by artists Jessica Pederson Stumpf | Misty Day | Diana Lamb | 

 

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 21^st 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 :) 

The beautiful BLUE rock of Zarya 

 

 

 

PAINTING WALGETT IN SUNRISE SONGS, STORY BY CHRISTINE ONWARD 20

Welcome to a new series of outback stories promised to you a long time ago but repeatedly delayed due to my obstinate perfectionism (or procrastination,equally true). After a year of struggles and too high expectations from my side, I decided to let thoughts flow by freely and memories write by themselves in the way they want. I hope they eventually make sense to a point where I will be excited to tell the next episode and you will be eager to return and read it.

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.

"Walgett-Sunrise Songs", painting by Christine Onward . More details Here

 

FIRST TIME IN WALGETT

 

Walgett on the map, 650 km away from Sydney, right at the gate of the Australian outback

 

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.

Baby Caesar spending the night with us in a NO DOGS room (who can swear he is a dog though, most of the times he behaves like a human) 

 

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

Photo taken close to Walgett - dirt road on the way to the property of Mungunya 

 

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...

The flowing artesian waters of Mungunya

 

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.

 

Living the life of the outback: unspoiled beauty and endless reds

 

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 start of a new day with Walgett left behind

 

THE PAINTING

Naive art, painting by Christine Onward | Facebook | Instagram |. More details are Here.

 

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…   

 

<Why It Matters> - Artist Misty Day Talking about Her Humanitarian Visit to Honduras and How Painted Rocks Made the Difference 40

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!

 

Mission Honduras: Misty Day and Daniela meeting for the first time

 

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.

 

Photo by Misty Day: Glorious view over 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!

 

 Photos by Misty Day: Sightseeing in beautiful Tegucigalpa

 

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.

 

Rock by Misty Day painted in the Amante style offered to the Pastor of the Tegucigalpa centre

 

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! 

 

Collage of some of the most amazing rocks painted by Misty Day | Facebook | Instagram |

 

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.

Misty Day during her rock painting classes in Tegucigalpa

 

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.

 

One of Misty Day's students committed to continuing to develop her newly-learned painting skills

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!

 

Photo by Misty Day: fantastic rocks painted during classes held in Tegucigalpa 

 

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. 

Some of the many painted rocks offered by Misty Day to the sponsored children of the Honduras Mission

Interview with artist Tünde Fodor, winner of the BLUE Rock Event and ROCK STREET ARTIST OF THE MONTH 80

Hello again my rock-art fellow artists,

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"

 

 BLUE Rock Event winning creation by artist Tünde Fodor | Facebook | Instagram

 

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.

 

  

Painted rocks by artist Tünde Fodor | Facebook | Instagram

 

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.

 

   

 

Amazing colours and designs on rocks by artist Tünde Fodor | Facebook | Instagram

 

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.

 

   

Painted rocks by artist Tünde Fodor | Facebook | Instagram

 

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!

 

 

Stunning art on rock by artist Tünde Fodor | Facebook | Instagram

 

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!