Rock Art News- June 22,
2007
What do you call a guy who
paints rocks? At the eighth annual Rock Painter’s Get-together held a few
weeks ago in Golden, Missouri, we coined a name for them; “Rocker-fellers”.
Rockerfellers can be painters, or they can be the husbands of rock painters.
We lost a sweet ‘Rockerfeller’ last week when Kathleen Durbin’s husband
passed away. Kathleen, known as ‘nutoyu’ in the rock painters group on
yahoo, has been instrumental in keeping the group up and running well.
Anyone who has met her knows that she is a passionate painter as well as
being a wonderful person and friend . Her Bob was so supportive of her
painting and enjoyed coming along to the get-togethers, just to hang out
with us and with the other ‘Rockerfellers’ who also attend. We missed both
of them at the get-together this year, especially knowing that Bob was
ill and not expected to recover.
I have a feeling there are
many more Rockerfellers out there, both painting ones and as encouragers,
cheerleaders, and rock haulers. Here’s to Bob who showed his love
and pride in his bride, Kathleen and was content to come along and join
in just to watch her do what she enjoys doing. I don’t know if there
is a better way to let someone know how much you care. I am thankful for
my Rockerfeller and for the hundreds or maybe thousands of others, (even
some girl-Rockerfellers who are equally proud of their painting husbands!)
who help, support and brag on their painting spouses.
It’s been a couple of months
now since my second ArtStone Press book made its debut, and I am happy
to report that feedback has been great and sales are strong for Painted
Garden Art Anyone Can Do. Hobby Lobby is testing the book in select stores,
and we hope to see it go into more of their locations. The segment I taped
for Living the Life on the Christian Broadcast Network has aired once and
is scheduled to be shown at least a couple more times this summer, with
the first airing on June 26. The hostesses of that show where super to
work with and so enthusiastic about the projects! I’ve had a lot of orders
come in because of it, and I am grateful for each one.
I’d like to emphasize the
importance of using Kilz as a primer for some of your garden art projects.
One of my earlier versions of the iguana accidentally got blasted by the
pressure washer when my husband was cleaning the deck. The spray nicked
a lot of flakes of paint off the piece. Another iguana right next to it
was completely unharmed, which really illustrated for me how important
it is to ensure that the painting you do will stay in place and look good
for as long as possible. The latex version of Kilz is very easy to work
with and is certainly worth that one small extra step. Not all materials
seem to require primer. So far my stepping stones, done on regular cast
cement, seem to be holding up great, as are all the pieces painted on scalloped
borders. It is only the manufactured fieldstones that seem to have an issue,
so make sure your goldfish ponds are also primed.
This summer I am resting
my wrist, which has been acting up. Fortunately, wielding a kayak paddle
does not seem to be an issue. The weather and ample rainfall in the Ozarks
have filled the rivers, and I try to get on them any chance I have.. But
I have found time to work on several new projects for magazine articles.
Look for my Penguin Porch Greeter, to be featured in an upcoming issue
of Mature Living Magazine. I hope to have some excerpts as well as new
projects in Painting Magazine, and also in Crafts ‘n’ Things.
A painter wrote to share
her story and gave me permission to pass it on. She hopes that it might
just give hope and help to someone else out there going through a tough
time. She wrote:
My success story?
In the spring/summer of 2005 I was between jobs and rented a booth at our
local farmer's market where I sold over 400 animal rocks ranging in size
from 3 to 70 lbs. Thank you for showing me how to keep food
on my table! The next time I am between jobs, I won't hesitate to
try that again. It is so reassuring to always have something
to fall back on. And it is so much fun. I think the real value
is an increase in self esteem and confidence that producing something valuable
from nothing can give you.
Thank you so much.
Deb (Michigan)
Thanks for sharing that,
Deb. Could not have summed up why rock painting is so unique an art form
any better!
Wishing all my rockin’ friends
(and all the Rockerfellers!), a happy summer full of fun, friendship and,
of course, great rocks!
Lin
