Okay So maybe somebody is wondering what you do with one of these things once it's painted...Lots. Sometimes I'll take a flat stone, that's painted as a fish, for instance. I can put it on a cool little metal plate stand that I bought at Wal-Mart for 59 cents. Then I can display it upright in a collection of fish pictures, ceramics, and even some sea-themed cloisonne ornaments. This can end up to be a pretty nice fish themed vignette with lots of textures and stuff going on. But the centerpiece is an original acrylic painting; a focal point of hand-painted rock art.That's what makes it special. I like knowing that the stuff in the display could be bought anywhere, and mass-produced. But my centerpiece is the only one in the world. Nice.
But let's say that the painted rock is a floral painted rock. And it's not flat. It is a nice round-ish thick stone that is rather bowl-shaped. So I had to make it into what it already resembles somewhat...a beautiful bowl of pearly white primroses. It will have some of those tapered wavy leaves that look so much like tasty crisp romaine lettuce. They curve and overlap a bit, and make gentle shadows against the side of the stone bowl. If I have a thin spot in the little garden that greets visitors at my front door, I could set that bowl of primroses right in my dark mulch, and bring a little life to that spot. Sometimes painted rock flowers substitute for real ones quite nicely. It's fine to do it under a couple simple conditions: no freezing temperatures because it could cuse the rock to fracture. Also, no standing water can come into contact with the stone. It will definitely come through the sealer and cause peeling paint. Keep a painted rock dry, and it will last indefinitely. Although, of course, gently wiping one from time to time with a clean, damp paper towel will suffice for cleaning, and do no damage. And that's it. Instant filler in a flower garden. You might even see some bees and butterflies checking it out . Aw...no pollen for them.
Then there's the really fun stuff that involves seeing people react to my paintings when they don't know I'm watching. I like to go to the Erie County Fair in August. I like to bring a little painted rock character, like let's say...a Spongebob character painted rock. I like Squidward. So I set the stone down on a flat open surface at about waist level, and find a bench close by. People might be waiting in line to get some kettle corn or something. And I can see the kids' faces change as they suddenly recognize this familiar character. Instant tugging on mom's arm...hey look! They pick it up. They pass it around. They flip it over to see what's on the back. After a minute the look around, set it back down on the spot where they found it, and I just watched a really cute show. Simple, pure joy shared between a couple people, for just a minute. Then it's over. My artist ego is fed for the day, I kept myself removed from the whole thing, and they saw and touched something different that they probably won't happen across again. At least not the same day. Not at the fairgrounds. I just love doing that. I never get tired of it.
That's just a couple examples, but there are many more. I remember bringing a floral painted rock to a dinner party, as a gift for the hostess. Another guest saw the gift, and out loud said, "That's very pretty. But I don't see it being useful to anyone. I mean, really, what would you do with it? A paperweight, maybe? But how often do someone's papers blow away..."
Awkward! Dry mouth. Burning cheeks. Uncomfortable laugh.
It was at that moment I realized that my art doesn't really have to have a use assigned to it. I also realized at that exact moment that I really did NOT want to be seated for dinner next to this negative-thinking old prune of a woman! Guess where I was placed? Yup. Right next to her.( Inside my head sounded like this: Please God, no...Please God, no...Please, God...Oh damn.) I don't see that lady anymore. But I do find myself every year around the holidays, back at the gracious family's table for a special meal. The address has changed a couple times. But guess what? The painted chrysanthemum rock is still on the mantle looking very pretty. I'm very pleased that it's there.
