WHAT'S NEW — painted stones

MAKE YOUR OWN COASTAL DECORATIONS WITH PAINTED ROCKS - part 1 SARDINES 343

                                     

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.

 

 GIVE YOUR HOME A HAPPY COASTAL VIBE WITH THESE 7 SIMPLE DIY IDEAS USING YOUR OWN PAINTED ROCKS

1. A BUNDLE OF SARDINES

 Original art decoration with painted rocks by Christine Onward, for sale HERE

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!

More rock painting ideas by Christine Onward are HERE

 

2. THE FRAMED SARDINES  

                   

 Original art decoration with painted rocks by Christine Onward, for sale HERE

 

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

       

More rock painting ideas by Christine Onward are HERE

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

           

Simple coastal decorating ideas by Christine Onward. More collections are HERE

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

                 

Simple coastal decorating ideas by Christine Onward. More collections are HERE

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:

               

Simple coastal decorating idea candle holder by Christine Onward. More ideas are HERE

  

7. THE RUSTIC FISH BASKETS

            

Simple coastal decorating project by Christine Onward. More ideas are HERE

 

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

Sardines in a box, supplies for your own projects. See more details HERE 

WHAT ARE THE ROCK STORIES ABOUT? - CHRISTINE ONWARD'S INVITATION TO DISCOVER THE MEANING OF THE STORIES SHE PAINTS ON ROCK 131

"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

 

MASTERS OF OUR DAYS - YVETTE BIEDERMANN. Realm of Happy Rocks 75

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 15

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.

 

CREATING ART TO CALM THE SOUL - Interview with Rachel Mitchell, Exceptional Artist, Rock Painting Innovator, Teacher, and Beautiful Soul 30

GLIMPSE INTO AN EXCEPTIONALLY PRODUCTIVE AND INNOVATIVE CAREER:

    Canadian artist Rachel Mitchell talking about new ways to create outstanding art on rocks

 

Wonderful painted rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

 

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.

Dot art and shiny colours: painted rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

 

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!!!

Bold and beautiful: rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

 

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!

Wonderful painted rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

 

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

Some of the rocks you might want to learn to paint: Rachel's YouTube account Here

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. 

Art with style:  painted rocks by Rachel Mitchell | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |

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.

 

WEDNESDAY SNAPSHOT - Annalisa Cacciatore - Unique wearable art with a Mediterranean touch 8

HAKUNA MATATA from Italy

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

 

A world of harmony and colours by Annalisa Cacciatore | Facebook | Instagram

You can discover and enjoy more art on rocks on our Facebook group, RockStreet Collective.

More painted rocks for sale are HERE