Painting
rocks
There was
a popular trend in this area about six years ago. People, adults and children,
painted rocks or pebbles and hid them, usually in plain sight, in walking areas. They might be found in woods, on park benches, outside shops, in playgrounds.
It made walking with children interesting and was a good method of increasing
their observation skills. When searchers found them, they could keep them, or photograph
them, or remove them to another hiding place.Some rocks
lent themselves to particular decorations. I painted one in Dalmatian guise and
others as ladybirds. My art skills are very basic, but some of the local
painters produced beautifully detailed miniatures and even fulfilled commissions.
Little children painted bright, splashy pictures on their rocks.Apparently,
the idea originated in the States with the Kindness Rocks Project and grew in
popularity, spreading to other countries. As a way of brightening people’s
days, it worked very well, but it seems to have fallen out of favour in recent
years.
Haha. That's cute. Nice concept of kindness.
ReplyDeleteI like the 2nd one.
There was a trend for 'inspirational' messages, which were quite sweet.
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ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I’m not much of an artist but I love making geometric designs. I might give this a try. Judee from gluten free a-z blog
They are fun to paint and there is still plenty of information online.
DeleteIt has caught on here in recent years too & still seems to be going strong. I just love it when I'm out in a Park or wooded area with my grandsons & we find them - there is such delight. I have painted them with Grandsons also - ours are very basic but thats okay too. xx
ReplyDeleteThat's encouraging. I haven't seen any for a while.
DeleteA super way to colour the world!
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteWe saw more of that around here in early COVID.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't noticed that round here.
DeleteIt's a lovely fun idea to brighten someone's day.
ReplyDeleteYounger children particularly enjoyed painting and hiding and finding them.
DeleteI have thought about painting rocks but haven't looked for any thta inspire something. I did once paint a lump of concrete that resembled a flower, I made it into a sunflower and it is in my garden.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of ideas and information online. I can imagine the twins might like that activity.
DeleteGreat idea!
DeleteI still have a painted ladybird rock from back then, found on a walk. It is currently residing in a pot of marigolds on the patio.
ReplyDeleteThey do make you smile, don't they?
DeleteInteresting creative outlet too.
ReplyDeleteIt's something that adults and children can do together.
DeleteWe still find one is our local parks, it was a lovely trend, I have a fairy house (not my choice) on a painted rock I was given, it's by my pond.
ReplyDeleteThey are so attractive that people, especially children, often don't want to part with them.
DeleteI am trying to remember what people put in their front windows during Covid lockdown times. I cannot but it was nice. I like your local painted rocks.
ReplyDeleteIt was rainbows that people in UK put in their windows - colourful and cheering, without any political overtones.
DeleteMostly teddy bears here.
DeleteI still find the odd one, it was a very popular trend during Covid with many children joining in. It always amazes me how talented some people are, I've seen beautiful paintings on rocks.
ReplyDeleteThey are really arresting - so much talent in the world.
DeleteIn the winter time I actually do paint rocks. But believe me they look nothing like this incredible artwork and they never will because I have no artistic talent. Just bottles of paint, lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're being too modest. Do you hide them for others to find?
DeleteI get so excited when I find painted stones. There was one artist who used to leave them around on our walks regularly but hasn't done for ages. I still keep a look-out.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a pleasure to find them.
DeleteIt’s still a popular pastime in this area….and some are very creative indeed! 😁
ReplyDeleteTalented miniaturists.
ReplyDeleteThat's something I really loved and still do, transforming pebbles into cats ! I sold quite a lot before Christmas because it was a nice gift as paperweight. Eastbourne beach was the paradise in pebbles !
ReplyDeleteThey make lovely paperweights. Lovely idea for gifts.
ReplyDeleteI hope that pastime is revived. We here in the States need all the kindness we can get. Please hold us all in your thoughts - this are tough times here.
ReplyDeleteWe all fervently hope that better times are coming for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to be out and about and then find a painted rock(s)
ReplyDeleteIt's like treasure trove. 🕵️♂️
DeleteI hadn't thought about it, but reading your post made me realized I hadn't seen a painted rock in quite some time. I hope they become popular again.
ReplyDeleteOh the snail is my favorite! During Covid the boys painted rocks and put them by one of our trees with a sign that said 'take a rock leave a rock' and we had so many more rock additions and it was fun finding one of our painted rocks around the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteThat was a different take on the activity.What a lovely idea.
DeleteTake a look at www.IFAQH.com for another way to add color to the world and to make some stranger happy at the same time. I'm a quilter (not required) so have lots of fabric scraps for the two hearts - front and back - plus scraps of batting and buttons for decorations.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
That is such a lovely project, all thanks to The Three Sisters. I hope I find one, one day.
DeleteSomeone locally crochets small animals for young children starting school. They are left out with a 'help yourself' notice. People are so kind.
It's a lovely idea. I love a painted pebble and occasionally paint one myself, I'm not very naturally artistic but like you said there's loads of ideas online, some of them very easy to do.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I painted quite a few for a while, but haven't done one for ages. They're fun to do.
DeleteI love the painting rocks trend, although I never did it. But how fun to find them hidden around.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to discover them.
DeleteI seem to recall it was very popular during Covid.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a lovely idea and still find one from time to time.
All the best Jan
It makes walks with reluctant walkers much more enjoyable.
DeleteIt’s interesting to hear how the trend started with the Kindness Rocks Project in the U.S. and spread globally. While it may have waned in popularity, the positive impact it had on brightening people’s days is a testament to its success.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely weekend. You are invited to read my new blog post: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/09/sighthill-neighbourhood-glasgow.html
Many trends come and go, so no doubt there will be a resurgence of interest at some time.
ReplyDeleteI remember this trend, which was a thing here in Belgium too. That said, I once found one in the garden of Powis Castle! xxx
ReplyDeleteSome of them have travelled a long way, I know, which is rather fun.
DeleteThose painted stones look amazing. Some real artists there. It's a shame that the popularity to find these hidden gems has faded in the last few years.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, it will be revisited at some point.
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