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 When it comes to collecting rocks to paint, you can’t beat springtime! Heavy rains have flushed out local creeks, washing up a brand new batch of potential treasures. Winter storms have tumbled fresh rocks onto beaches on both coasts and along the Great Lakes. Out west, rocks seem to hatch out of the earth as the ground thaws. The air is fresh and cool and the trees are in bloom.  After a winter of picking through the dwindling selection in my rock pile, I am ready to restock. In the dark days of winter my painting output also drops off. Like the trees, I seem to go ‘dormant’. Spring awakens my creativity, helping me to see new possibilities in the rocks I find, and giving me new energy and interest in making art.
 

Any day now the newest rock painting magazine will  roll off the presses. Due to a change in ownership at  the publisher, there may just be one issue this year after all, but I am excited about this one because it has three brand new projects along with carefully chosen chapters selected from my books. The new projects are elephants, a winged dragon and a quick and easy address rock made with a landscaping stone. If you can’t find a copy at your local newsstand, Hobby Lobby, Michael’s or Barnes & Nobles, you can order one on-line at  www.decorativeartist.com after May 7th.

I often get mail from people who are frustrated by the lack of rocks in their area. If you are one of these unlucky folks, here’s some news you can use: Make your own rocks!!

I’ve been experimenting and have discovered that it is fairly easy to create river rocks. 
Here is what you need:

Several natural rocks to use as molds

1 bag of concrete mix that already has the sand/gravel component mixed in. 
I bought an 80 lb. bag of “Sackrete” for under $4.00

1 plastic container deep and wide enough to accommodate the rock or rocks you are going to mold. I used a kitty litter box.

1 quart size plastic container for mixing

Clean sand (no sticks or debris)

Plastic gloves and stout stirring implement

Clear plastic wrap or plastic bag

Here’s what I did:

The best size rock is anywhere from fist size up to the diameter of a dessert plate. Smaller rocks are difficult to work with, as are really large rocks. Wrap your rocks in plastic, smoothing away wrinkles, and press them into the sand bed. If your sand is very dense, you can partially dig out the needed space first, then press the rock down and pound the sand with the heel of your hand all around to insure full contact. The level of the sand should be just slightly below the top of the rock. Carefully use two fingers to burrow along either end and lift the rock out, leaving the plastic wrap in place. Go back and smooth away the dents made when you removed the rock. Damp sand will hold its shape.

Put ¼ cup of water in your plastic mixing container, then cut the corner off your bag of cement and ease it over until the contents start spilling out. Hold your container underneath and fill it about halfway. Stop and mix the cement and water together, adding more water in small increments until the consistency of the mixture is neither runny nor stiff- like a milkshake you could drink through a straw. You can add more concrete mix if needed. It is better to have the cement a bit too wet than not wet enough, which may leave your finished rock prone to crumbling. 

Fill in the plastic lined impression all the way so that it is slightly mounded on top. Bring the edges of the plastic wrap together and use your hands to pat sand up around the top to help the mold dry with rounded contours.

 How long your rock will take to set depends on temperature and other factors, but I made mine in my dark, damp basement because I know it is better for concrete to dry and cure slowly.  You can check after several hours to see if the rock is firm enough to be taken out. Carefully dig around and lift it out, unwrap it and if needed, smooth any uneven spots while the material is still somewhat malleable. I used my palm full of sand to rub gently and even out the edges. Then set the unwrapped rock back into it’s indentation in the sand and allow it to continue to dry and cure supported by the sand. The next day it should be dry enough to set out in the light to finish drying. The longer your rocks cure before painting, the better, but you should wait at least a week. Scrub to remove any loose sand. To your left is a picture of my first molding attempts.
 

 Got more ideas on rock making? Write me and I’ll pass them on!

 Do you enjoy painting flower rocks? Bill and Bill Miller, father and son rock painters from PA sent me this idea: Cement a small ladybug rock to your finished flower rock for a dimensional focal point. They also glue ladybug rocks onto golf tees so they can peep out when tucked into the base of real plants.

 In my next newsletter I’d like to include stories on selling your work. Have you discovered a great outlet at a farmer’s market or other venue? If you’ve had success, write and tell me about it!

 Meanwhile, Keep Rockin’

 Lin
 
 

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