Barbara (bjc111153) When did you first start painting rocks? July 2002 > 2. Did you have any painting experience before? No. My Mom had me watercoloring Easter cards with her 2 years ago this week,but that's all. I had quit smoking the previous October and needed something to do. If you have a photo of the first rock you ever painted, please > put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting...It's done...don't laugh! lol > 4. Also if you have a photo of yourself, and feel comfortable doing > it, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. Already have one in my Yahoo profile. > 5. Where do you get your rocks? Everywhere...the side of the road when I'm walking the dogs, at the beach when I visit my daughter, on the side of the road behind my office building, under bridges that I know are safe to go to by myself, in the woods on our property, in my garden, along the road anywhere that is not someone's property, at the public rock pile at the town barn (yes, there is one for sand too!), and on the property of any friend, relative or acquaintance who will humor me. Barbara

Gloria (Nanarocker) Hi! April ? of Month I started to paint about 1997 having never painted before. I posted a pic of my husband and myself in A. I find rocks in Southern Ohio where I used to live. This has been fun meeting everyone and viewing pic to go with emails. Nanarocker.

Isobell (rockpainter2001us) horse on a stone I started rock painting along time ago...about 15 years. we moved to a farm and we had alot of nice flat stones. i painted animals on them,put them on a little easel and sold them in the local craft shop. this is the only picture I kept.,,,nice to have.I have always painted but have no formal training until after i retired. I took instructions in oils for a number of years.Then I got a Lin wellford book and felt my life take off.The rest is history.!!Isobell 1.

Debbie (pieone) APRIL QUESTION OF THE MONTH 1. When did you first start painting rocks? About 2 years ago. Saw a magazine and thought "Hey! I could do that!" 2. Did you have any painting experience before? oil painting. Took art classes when I went back to college. > 3. If you have a photo of the first rock you ever painted... It was a turtle I copied from Linn's book. I gave it to my Grandson. > 4. Also if you have a photo of yourself, and feel comfortable doing... I will post that pic in Rockpainting2 under pieone2001 > > 5. Where do you get your rocks? I live 3 blocks from Lake Michigan. I go to Wind Point Lighthouse. About 5 miles away. I have a few rocks on ebay right now under stone rock painting Debbie in Wisconsin

Leslie (LesMc50) Frist painting rocks in early 94 2. I been painting since the middle 70"s 3. no I didn't have a camera back there nor a computer 4. I do have one in the Briefcase 5. They don't call Colorado Rocky Mountains for nothing hehe I still get my flagstone out at the landscrapers .... buy the way every where are rockys.. think that covers leslie

Wendy (enthralledgreenwolf) 1. I started painting rock around November of 2003, after I got laid off from my job. I fell in love with it. Am back to work now and I still paint rocks I just don't have as much time to do it. 2. I took art classes in high school, but most of what I learned I found out how on my own. Trying one thing then another until it worked for me. I believe the more you paint the better you get at it. My true love is fantasy art, I just love it, but the rock is a close second. 3. I put a picture of the first rocks I ever painted. 4. I put a pic of me (hopefully it won't crash anyone's computer. Lol)

BOB (aaboblarson) 1. I Started painting Yard Animal cut outs.Several years ago.Using left over house paints and buying odd lots of paint at yard sales ect. I had no idea what I was doing but injoyed dong it in spite of my ineptness. Then bout two years ago a friend of ours had painted a rock into a wonderful looking FAWN. As I was admiring it she brought out one of Lins books. And I was hooked.,I went right out to Michells and bought two of her books one on animals and one on flowers. Other than Lins books and a lot of kind advice from this group I have had no formal training.And although I'm sure it would help my painting skills. I feel it might take away some of the injoyment And being Quite selfish am not sure I wish to risk it. I feel the same way about selling my work.I give away about 90% of my work. And I keep the really bad ones to try and learn from. ( Please understand I am only talking about my own preferabces ). as for where I get my rocks. I am very lucky as there as pletiful as cactus here in Arizona. I also haul 4 or 5 hundred lbs. back from Oregon & Montana each summer.

Paulette (starme47) Hi! everyone nice to see and be able to put faces with the rocks now lol. My name is Paulette I go by starme47,I am 50 years young lol this Dec.a single mother of a 9 year old boy, the love of my life. I take care of my 81 year old totaly bed ridden mother,and I wouldn't have it any other way. I started drawing when I was very young, I painted my first cartoon rocks about 15 years ago. I stopped around 8 years ago and went back to scetching and painting on paper and canves. I stopped again do to my mom,s illness for a couple of years. In june of 2001 I got back into painting on rocks, my first critter rocks were lady bugs and turtles,and now I paint on just about anything I get my hands on lol paper, rocks, wood ,literally anything.I beleave I joined this rock painting group and rock painting 2 early last year I have a folder in rock painting 2 I must say it has been an inlighting experanse in these groups .I have injoyed all your work tremendisly and I look forword to seeing more as time goes on .I have found that with all my stopping and starting I have lost a great deal of my knowledge about painting of course old age setting in doesn't help the memory much lol. But I am working on my paintings every time I get a free minute maybe someday I will get enough painted to have one big sale. Well enough of my borring live please excuse my spelling it was always my worst subject, lol good luck to all and happy painting oh PS. I have put a picture in of of my rocks and I. Paulette 1. I do apologize I didn't answer all the questions ,silly me .I got and get most of my rocks from Lake Ontario I do buy some of my rocks flag stones and such from a place in Mississuaga. I am from Toronto, Ontario,Canada great place if your a penguin in winter, duck in the spring and a snake in the summer, lol just to keep up with the changing weather lol. I have never takin any art or paint lessons I just kind of tought myself trial and error type of thing. My biggist problem in painting is (FURRRRRRRR )lol, a big pain ,can't seem to get it right know matter how I try, and the other is patients I HAVE NONE lol Thanks Paulette

Janet (gamza97394) 1. 1. When I got the book for Christmas in 2000 2. I had taken tole painting lessons many years ago. 3. No photo available 4. No photo available 5. Pacific ocean beaches in Oregon Janet

Sharon (dustbunny54) 1. When did you first start painting rocks? About 3 or 4 years ago, give or take. I checked out Lin Wellford's book from the library and thought "Now this is a medium I can afford!" 2. Did you have any painting experience before? I took art classes all thru high school but hadn't really done anything besides bread dough ornaments once my children got older. 3. If you have a photo of the first rock you ever painted, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. OK :) Someone gave me a rock that had the shape of an elephants trunk on it and it kind of went from there, but its kind of dark, I needed to learn a bit about highlights back then and still do. :) 4. Also if you have a photo of yourself, and feel comfortable doing it, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. Sorry, camera's and I agree to disagree. I love seeing everyone else's photos though, Bob my first thought when I saw your pic was the wizard of Oz :) 5. Where do you get your rocks? I used to get them at a little landscape rock store just around the block from me but they went out of business about 6 months ago. So now I beg, borrow and umm nope, not steal :) My brother's girlfriend lives in Palm Springs and he has to go right by Whitewater so I talked him into stopping and he brought me a huge bag full of river rock. I live near the Santa Ana river but by me its mostly sand, not much rock. Mostly now family delivers, lol.

Gidget (lb_gidget) 1. I only started painting rocks a couple of weeks ago. Found some rock painters sites on the net and bought my first Lin Wellford book the next day. 2.Have been painting with acrylics for many years.Love nature subjects so this has stimulated a dry spell.Not much time to post as I am fired up in the studio again.Artists always need to try different paths to challenge their creativity.I admire the talented works on this site.

(Suzihazlenut) It has been a lot of fun reading how everyone got started painting rocks. I began 10 years ago after seeing Lin Wellford's rocks in a window of a shop in Eureka Springs,Arkansas. I was instantly in love with rock painting! I bought her first book and followed each step to the letter. I have always loved to draw and had done lots of pen and ink drawings but very little painting. I have uploaded a picture of my first rabbit rocks and one of myself. I don't have a picture of the first rock; a calico kitten straight from the 1st book. I get all my rocks within about 20 miles of my house in creekbeds and riversides. I have to really laugh at all of our common funny experiences as rock painters (drinking our brush water anyone?) but we have ALL become obsessed rock searchers. Why do the rocks in my neighbors yard look more interesting than the ones in my own rockpile? My DH is so understanding and will always stop and load rocks at my request....hope his back holds out! Keep posting those great stories and pictures. Suzihazlenut

Leigh (Leigh5555) I discovered Lin's books about 5 yrs ago..though I can recall painting colored rocks and selling them to neighbors for pennies when I was 6. Prior experience: Throughout my childhood my parents have always encouraged us to express ourselves artistically with finger-painting, drawing, painting, clay etc. We all have our own photo albums full of each years drawings from age 3 to our teens. I did take art classes in high school where I learned basic perspective and shading techniques and I'm alway reading and learning independently. I live in Tampa, Florida and acquire most of my rocks from landscaping stores. It's been a pleasure reading all of the stories and putting a face to the name and art work!

Sherry in Winnipeg I first started painting rocks in 2001 after buying Lin's book "Painting Animals on Rocks". I've drawn and painted all my life for as long as I remember, and have taken some classes in watercolour and pastel painting, but am mostly self-taught. I will post a picture of my first rocks if I can ever figure out how to get my scanner to work again after the computer guy "fixed" my computer. I will post a picture of myself when my dear husband puts the "new" old clawfoot bathtub in the bathroom so I can wash my hair. It's been an interesting experience, living without a bathtub for about a week now. I get my rocks mostly from the river a block from my house, and also my husband brings some home to me whenever he see good ones (he's a truck driver)...Sherry in Winnipeg

Flora (floraltan) APRIL QUESTION OF THE MONTH 1. When did you first start painting rocks? Feb., 2002 2. Did you have any painting experience before? In school (20+ years ago) 3. If you have a photo of the first rock you ever painted, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. Coming soon! 4. Also if you have a photo of yourself, and feel comfortable doing it, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. Coming soon! 5. Where do you get your rocks? From a river used for white water rafting about an hours drive away. Flora

Anne QUESTION OF THE MONTH I thought for our first months question it would be interesting to find out a little about one another. Sooooo there is going to be more than one question this month. 1. When did you first start painting rocks? my first rock was a frog for my little sister back in the 70's. 2. Did you have any painting experience before? yes painted for years. tho not that good. LOL. 3. If you have a photo of the first rock you ever painted, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. sadly it went up in flames. 4. Also if you have a photo of yourself, and feel comfortable doing it, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. got a pix will post. 5. Where do you get your rocks? IF there was a creek nearby i would walk the banks for kewl rocks. used to find some really interesting ones. out here i pick them up when i catch a bus and theres a pile of rocks nearby. not much rock hunting unless you get out in the desert or around the mountains. huggzz. anne

Betty \0/ (Peaceful_Pastures) I started rock painting in 2000. I had previously had a few oil and tole painting classes, but hadn't painted for about 10 yrs. I had decided to get back into oil painting, and was looking on the internet to see what I could find when I came across a few rock painting Clubs, and was fascinated with the total rock being the animal, so I joined one. (They were called Clubs back then) A gentleman we called Hip was the owner, and I joined it because of his since of humor, and great teaching. (We have some of his teaching in our files, but His Group no longer exists). Everyone was talking about Lin Wellford, and her books, so I eventually joined her Club, which is this very Group, bought one of her books The Art of Painting Animals on Rocks, and was hooked. (We're Rock- Aholics yu know). LOL I hunt for rocks any where I want to, they are all over and all different kinds of them. (Now don't drewl) I can pick up lady bugs, turtles, rabbits, cats, owls, mostly all smooth, from tiny to saucer size, from and old RR track about 6 miles from my house. I can get 75 lb turtle shaped rocks, and smaller rocks for baskets, etc, a little further away, not quite as smooth, but I can fix that. Right out back of my house I can get mountain shaped rocks that I paint to look like mountains, and flat hard shale type to paint my lions or any flat thing on. There are all different kinds of odd shaped rocks along the dirt roads that I can pick up. ANYONE WANT TO COME GO ROCK HUNTING WITH ME. Happy Rockin! Betty \0/

Marion Cochran (va_snake) Hi, Snake here. Sorry it took me so long to reply. Everytime I got ready to post, I got busy at work. Don't you just hate it when work interferes with goofing off? Wel, I first started painting rocks in late '99 after picking up Lin's book about painting flowers on rocks. Naturally, my 1st rock was a primrose, I posted it in the 1st rock section. I had only taken a few decorative painting classes at a friend's home before starting on rocks. I usually pick up my rocks at a landscape center, but my wife is constantly on me because I not opposed to just pocketing a rock while we're out if I see one that hits me the right way. I posted a picture of myself from my 30 year high school reunion last year. Also, if you click on my Yahoo name it should go to my profile and there is another picture there. Take a good look, probably be the only time you see Snake in a tux. Believe it or not, that was me as a "maid of honor" at my friend's wedding. Also, I should have some pictures in my Yahoo briefcase also. Snake

Sarra Dexter (sarra46I) started painting on rocks January 2004 after seeing a display at a craft show in Juneau,Ak. Then I saw "The Books" that showed how easily they could be done. The only painting experience I have is what I have gotten since January. There is so much to learn & not enough time in the day. I will see if I can manage to get a photo of my first rock, I have only done about 20 so far. And a picture of myself too. Living in Alaska makes rocks hard to find in January under all that snow. Got my first rocks at low tide from the ocean beach. They were slimy & had things growing on them, very hard to clean. Now that the snow is gone pick up rocks from Mendenhall glacier, gold creek,lemon creek & other mountain streams. Discovered this rockpainting group with so many more ideas.......Sarra

Jane Brown (brat2) . 1. HI to all i,m new at this i have been in the group for awhile and have been reading all the post and enjoy looking at all the rock paintings i do tole painting and a little onestroke.i came across rock painting about two months ago and gave it a try.i would like for all of you to take a look at my 1st try of a dog under Brat2 . i had to paint it with out any help or a book. just from looking at all the pictures i could fine here in this group. i now have all 4 books from Lin Wellford i just got this week .you can get then from wal-mart over the internet i just came across then when i was looking for the new one called zoo animals to paint on rocks . please let me know what everyone thinks about my bichon dog.i do want to learn .please let me know what i did wrong and what i need to do . to do a good job like i said i,m new at this and can use all the help i can get thank you so much for looking at my picture and happy painting brat

Jerry (alden51566) The usual painting, drawing in grade school took 2 art clases at local college still couln't find what I wanted to know when the first book came out read it and thought thats nice would be interesting to do that. was at a flea market in easter iowa saw paintings on old door panels I liked ,wife said bet you could do that, got home poke the puter found this site and was hooked. Have 5 kids 11 grandkids 2 neighbors kids that claim us as grandparents as thres have past away, I like flea markets garage sale auctions collect any thing that catches my eye like to work with wood , scroll saw ,carve, repair antique furniture .my profile says treasure hunting more like memory making i think have found possibly $1.00 in change grand kids got it I like to hunt fish walk along river banks creeks etc. have painted over more rocks that i didn't liked than did will post pictues later, here in Iowa most rivers have small stuff the creeks have bigger rock. Traded for a one stroke video and since purchased more have learn more from the videos and here than the art classes work nights so when get home check out whats going on until I unwind and can sleep. If any one is a night owl check in i might be on seeing whats up by now have agood one Jerry

Wandra (wandra_ann) Hi again, I just posted one of my first rocks that I painted by Lin's methods. I actually painted rocks before I saw her books but they were flat rocks of the hillbillie fisherman sitting under a tree fishing in the lake. That was our gift to family and friends back home because we left them all in Missisippi when we moved to the Ozarks in 1993. It was several years later that we found Lin's painted rocks at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri. They also had her first book there and we purchased it. My mom (in Mississippi) had found Lin's first book in craft magaines and had orderd one. We got together and started painting rocks. I think that was around 1998. I met Lin at a local school where she was demonstrating rock painting to the kids and also had a display for the public. She suggested that I find THIS rock painting group (club at the time) and I found such a wonderful group of rock painters and got to know quite a few. That's when I decided that it would be WONDERFUL to meet some and that's when we started the Rock Painters' Get Together here in Golden, Missouri. Lin has been to each one and we've grown in numbers from 12 the first year to 35 this last year. My photo of me is when Lin Wellford took photos of me and my fish rocks on the King's River in Arkansas for one of her first magazines. I have been so blessed to live close enough to her that we are able to get together and paint rocks and do rock painting events together. The cat rock business card that I posted is one of the first cats that I painted and the eyes and the mouth are small holes in the rock. My DH finds lots of rocks on the Table Rock Lake shoreline...most of them are very unique. He finds most of the fish rocks there, too. He and I also get to go with Lin Wellford at times to "pick rocks" with her at her favorite rock picking places! Then, I have people bringing me rocks from where they vacation or visit family all over the states...and sometimes out of the country. I have a nurse friend who just went on her honeymoon in Hungary, Germany and the Czech Republic and brought me a few rocks! I have not had much formal training in painting. I took one art class in high school and that was loads of fun. Most of my art training comes from my experience with my mom...she had ceramics and I drew and painted posters in school. I learned shading and highlighting when I was painting with fabric paints and liquid embroidery. I also painted on wood. I have to agree with others...practice makes perfect! I'm not perfect, but I sure have gotten better over lots of years of painting! I've done lots of crafts and such but rock painting is my favorite...and most profitable...even over sewing! Wandra Ann

Patty (Petrockpainter) Finally got around to adding my 1st painted rock and my picture in the albums. Don't laugh, but I'm wearing my purple clothes and red hat dressed for my Red Hat Society Club meeting. For those that don't already know about it...women over 50 "just having fun", but you have to wear a red hat with purple clothes to all meetings and outings. I also posted Missy the cat and Ginger the dog in the New C album. Like most of you, I never saw painted 3-D rocks till I saw Lin's book in 1999. I started doing craft shows and in 2001 started painting petportrait commissions on rocks in 3-D. That's about all I paint now. I have to buy my rocks from landscape places. I work with mostly 10-25 lb rocks. Except for Lin's books, I'm self taught. Rock painting has been good to me. I put together and sold almost 100 rock painting tips "books" from my website. Taught rock painting for a short time, and fulfilled my goal of painting pets from photographs. I don't do craft shows anymore. All my business comes from my website. So much easier than packing for a show! Sometime this month, the May issue of the Family Circle Magazine should be out and they included me in an article on pet portraiture. I'm excited and nervous as I have no idea what they wrote or which rocks they used. They contacted me for the article, but I sure wish it was Lin Wellfords magazine instead. :-) Anyway, I don't post much anymore, but I still read the messages when I have time. It's nice to see the "old names" along with so many new ones. Sue B's rocks are fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!! Patty

Sue Beatrice (uziart ) Earlier today, Betty asked me if I could share a bit of history about myself and any helpful tips I might have for painting. From what I have seen here, there is so much I have to learn from all of you, that I feel a bit odd posting this. Half the time I don't even follow the obvious things I should be doing, such as using clean water when I change colors or remembering to cover up whatever shade I have just mixed so it won't dry out. Heck, I still pick up the paint water when I mean to reach for my coffee. So I don't know how much use this info will be, but here goes... (brace yourself, it's a long one) Just so you all know, I still struggle with and ruin my share of projects, so I don't really think I should be telling anyone how to do anything, but I would like to share my background and some tips that have worked for me. My background was originally as a painter, I went to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for a year before leaving to work as a relief (coin and medallic) sculptor at the Franklin Mint. I was there three years before starting my own business in the toy and gift industry sculpting figurines and other commercial items. I had to learn to mix colors according to a universal guide called a "Pantone" chart to match the designated colors to be used on the prototypes of models to be sent to the orient for mass production. I have had to learn to use so many different materials and mediums, with varying degrees of success. Recently, I became interested in digital photography, in particular, macrophotography. Using digital imaging programs to improve the images made me realize that many of the processes related to illustration as well. One major example is something called "unsharp mask". What this does is increase the contrast around the edges of dark and light areas, significantly deepening the illusion of dimension. Another process is called "levels", and this allows you to be certain that the lightest areas, or highlights, are as light as possible and the dark shadows are dark as possible, giving an image what is called "full dynamic range". Photography has also made me more aware of composition. There is something called the "rule of thirds" which indicates that more often than not, an image will have more visual appeal if the subject of interest is placed on or near the point at which the entire image is divided into thirds. Imagine a grid over the front of your image, with two lines dividing the image both vertically and horizontally. The intersecting points are the optimum places to place the subject. There are, of course, exceptions to this, such as when you are trying to shown the symmetry of a particular flower for example, but it is still good to be aware of, even if you don't end up using it. Many of you have mentioned that you use extensive reference. I wholeheartedly believe that it is absolutely necessary to do this. Eventually, from looking at the reference enough, you may be able to work from your own imagination, but without using it to begin with, your imagination will not be able to fill in the blanks about the proper structure and form of what you are painting. The toughest thing for me to learn, the thing that kept me from a career in painting, is using light properly. All that we see is made up of light and shadow, and this creates forms, not the outlines of things. Only by creating three dimensional sculptures for years, and studying the way light falls upon them have I been able to begin to use light more correctly in my drawings and paintings. Also, it is important to remember that cool colors set themselves back, and warm colors come forward. This can give depth to a painting, even when there is no strong shadow or highlight. This is a little complicated and requires some color theory to get used to it, but generally bluer tones are cool and yellow/red tones are warm. Putting a touch of yellow in your whites when you want to add highlights to eyes or hair will help make them "pop" or stand out visually. Adding a touch of blue to your shadows will drop them back and make them appear further away. Being aware of negative space is also a vital component of any artistic medium, whether it is illustration, photography, or sculpture. Most importantly, never get discouraged when you see something that you may think was done by someone more skilled than you. There is always someone better, no matter how good you get, but that is not important, what is important is being the best that you can be, creating your own personal style and enjoying the satisfaction and personal growth that creativity brings into your life! I recommend the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" for anyone struggling with interpreting what they see into what they draw. It is a real eye-opener and can help you break out of certain mistakes that almost all artists make when starting out. Sue

Janet Patterson ( jphaake ) I hope I'm not too late to enter my answers to the April Questions. > My name is Janet, I'm 92 yrs young (most likely the oldest member of our group), and I live in Calif. I started painting rocks 3 years ago. I had never painted with acrylics before. I had oil painting lessons about 40 years ago, and enjoyed oil painting. Then I saw a magazine ad with a picture of a cat and ball of yarn painted on a rock and decided to try to paint it (1my first rock) and have been painting on rocks ever since. I get most of my rocks fron the landscape supply yard. Before, when I was living in NC, I got my rocks from the dry creek across the back of our property. Sorry, I don't have a recnt picture of myself, but should I get one soon, I will add it to this,

Kristen Stitches (ihateranch) 1. When did you first start painting rocks? I found a copy of Lin's book at my grandma's house, decided to give it a try. 2. Did you have any painting experience before? yes, i've been drawings since i could hold a pencil, and i started actual paintings (not the 3rd grade finger painting stuff) when i was in 6th grade. It's a hobby i have never lost intrest in and i dotn feel i ever will. 3. If you have a photo of the first rock you ever painted, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. already done it 4. Also if you have a photo of yourself, and feel comfortable doing it, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. done that too 5. Where do you get your rocks? i collect many rocks when i take my dog out for his hour long walks through the canyon and around the neighborhood. i also got a large bunch of rocks from a lady across the street who had a huge pile in her backyard and just wanted rid of them. our next door neighbors as well have a backyard full of rocks, and they are having their yard landscaped so they just have the workers toss them over the fence for me.

CASS (casslock_etm) HI there 1. When did you first start painting rocks? I think I start rock painting about 4 years ago could be 5 years...can't really remember! 2. Did you have any painting experience before? my mom has taught me to paint years ago on wood - I even bought a scroll saw and cut my own pieces out but then I found out painting on God's masterpiece "THE ROCK" I haven't touched my scroll saw for at least 3 years...I LOVE ROCKS! CASS1. http://pebblepainters.freewebspace.com

LouAnn (sugary666) APRIL QUESTION OF THE MONTH > > I thought for our first months question it would be interesting to find out a little about one another. Sooooo there is going to be more than one question this month. > > 1. When did you first start painting rocks?--2001 when neighbor showed me Lin Wellford's "Painting Animals on Rocks" > 2. Did you have any painting experience before?--Paint-by-numbers as a kid! > 3. If you have a photo of the first rock you ever painted, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. > 4. Also if you have a photo of yourself, and feel comfortable doing it, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. > 5. Where do you get your rocks? From sand/gravel/ supply and just along the banks of canal where we live summers. LouAnn

Val (vdubie62) 1. When did you first start painting rocks? I started a few weeks ago. My daughter gave me a Michael's coupon for my birthday so that's when I got my first Painting on rocks book. I had looked through these books often when I was in the store and was anxious to try it. I have also purchased the flower book. Now, just to find the right rock for it. 2. Did you have any painting experience before? No. As I acquire more projects, it will be a lot of trial and error and practice, practice, practice! I also like to learn things on my own. 3. If you have a photo of the first rock you ever painted, please put it in 00001.A.MY First Rock Painting. My first rock was from Lin's book of animal painting - the lady bug, which I posted these pics in one of the albums and the numbers go according to the order they were painted in. It's going to take a lot of practice doing the fur. 5. Where do you get your rocks? The rocks I've gottem were from the river bottom. But as I was riding my bike in the city, I've noticed that there were some places that had big rocks as part of the landscaping. I've seen one that I thought would be the perfect rock for the flower that I wanted to paint. I imagine one wouldn't be allowed to take these rocks. Since I don't have a vehicle, it would be so much easier if I could. There were a lot of rocks piled there. At least I'll get the practice of looking for possible shapes. Val Lethbridge, AB CANADA

Elizabeth (catsnmore) 1.started painting rocks.... i actually started painting rocks last summer, but due to life, i had to quit for a while and about 6 weeks ago, there was a class in town.. so i took it to start again. 2.previous painting experience.... 2 christmases ago i wanted to try something different for gifts, (i already knit, do some canning and some other crafts) so i picked up a book on christmas crafts and found a tin bucket painted with a snowman scene. so that is what i did. when my father in law saw it, he wanted to know where we bought it... lolol.. i've painted a few other things since. i belong to a craft book club and bought lin wellford's painting rocks last summer and started. 3.the first rock i did was a ladybug... and it is sitting on my aunt's kitchen counter in cape cod... no pictures.. 4. finding rocks.... creek beds and low water crossings... and when we were coming back from reno... via utah and wyoming... i found a couple of rocks pretty much road side that were smooth by the wind.. for the short time that i have been active here, i have really enjoyed checking the photos folders to see the new rocks, checking my email to see who has posted, going through the files to look for tips and hints.. and such... thank y'all... elizabeth

Mary from WI In answer to some of April's questions of the month.... I have been painting on and off for the last two and a half years. I never painted before...just abit of sketching. One class in high school and one in college. I have to buy almost all my rocks at landscape places. Sometimes people give me some but most of the time they are not any good to paint on. My first rock was given away. I have been pretty sick for the last five years so I will save you from having to look at any picture of me. I've never really had a hobby before...mainly I liked to read. But when I got sick I also had trouble with my eyes so I didn't read as much. This is also why I usually paint bigger rocks. I couldn't possibly see small enough to paint those little ones without getting a headache. Painting has saved my sanity. I've even used a wooden turntable so I could paint while laying on my bed. And Yes, lol, I have gotten paint on the sheets and my nightgowns. Small price to pay . Maybe I should take a picture of that kindof work station, too. I have learned so much on this website and count it as one of my biggest blessings. Thank you. Mary from WI

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