Rock On!
by Jen Longshaw

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Rock painting, a 1970's fad that was synonymous with having your own pet stone, is back bigger and better than ever. No longer quirky little items that you find gathering dust in a craft store the finished products are professional, original and affordable works of art.

The woman who deserves the credit for the renaissance of interest in this art form is Lin Wellford. With her groundbreaking book "The Art of Painting Animals on Rocks" she set out a variety of projects that enable the most inexperienced amateur to turn out a work of art. Suddenly across the world people are scouring riverbeds for rocks to turn into cats, rabbits, fawns, and raccoons. With the publication of subsequent books such as "Painting Houses, Cottages and Towns on Rocks", "Painting More Animals on Rocks", "Painting Flowers on Rocks" and the newly published "Painting Pets on Rocks" this art form has taken on greater dimensions. Seemingly any subject can be adapted to being painted "in the round" or in 3D.

But is it an art or a craft? Carol Carter, a well-known rock painter who now works full time, thinks of her work as "more of an 'art' than a craft (not that there aren't some talented crafters out there). Painting on stone has sharpened my skills in all areas - especially color, shading and correct proportion." A self-taught artist she began painting on stone about five years ago "I had seen some of Lin's work several years before that and always kept it in the back of my mind as something I'd like to try. I painted my first stones as Christmas gifts for family and friends and fell in love with the process. After about a year painting part time (painting till midnight after working my full time day job!) I finally decided to give it a try full time and haven't regretted my decision."

Likewise Yvonne Carter (no relation) also finds the art form full of possibilities "I am a self-taught artist and a friend suggested I try painting on rocks. I found a book a couple of years ago by Elke Sommers from the 70's (now out of print) in a thrift shop. That got me started, thinking about all of the possibilities especially with such an inexpensive canvas. And, to think in 3D rather than flat, it was a new challenge." This led to the beginning of another new venture when she formed a rock-painting club on the Internet. From small beginnings this now boasts well over 600 members from all around the world and has spawned other rock painting clubs where people can chat about their favorite art form "If someone needs help with a painting problem, they don't mind helping and sharing some of what they have learned." Carter, who is presently working on a book about the rock painters she has met through the club, reiterates, "when you see some of the beautiful things being created, I'm sure you would consider it an art. I believe this will continue to grow in popularity and look forward to each and every new creation."

Does someone just starting out need much experience? Not according to Carol Carter who had no formal art instruction apart from taking art classes at High School. However she had already developed a love of drawing animals from the age of five "I learned about animal anatomy through watching their movements and endlessly sketching them. I have worked in pencil, pastel, oils, and acrylic, with simple drawing being my first love. I think every artist needs to learn solid drawing skills to be successful at painting."

If, however, the rock artist wants to take a more professional route then they need to develop marketing skills and in particular, learn what will appeal to their customer. Many begin through attending craft shows where direct contact with the public gives them an idea as to what work will sell. Carol Carter emphasizes, "customers always seem to love looking over each one and it is very obvious that the more variety you have for people to look through, the more sales you have." Soon the artist has a fair idea of what subjects are the most popular and can prepare their inventory accordingly .As to any criticism that many of the rocks are mass-produced Carol explains "I don't feel I am 'mass producing' anything because they all turn out a little different. I may paint a dozen Yorkshire terriers (a very popular little dog) but each has some variation in the size of the ears, eyes, tip of the head, color of hair etc."

However the Internet is once again proving to be a groundbreaking force in the retailing of stone art. Many rock artists have their own web site to showcase their work and have formed a web ring that allows the casual surfer to browse through a variety of styles. Lin Wellford's "Stone Menagerie" would head the list as one of the most popular with the artist having trouble keeping up with commissions. Customers can order a picture of their pet painted on a stone from a photo and this is fast becoming an essential part of the rock art business. Carol Carter says "these take me much longer that my 'regular' stones, but I think it's a part of my business that I can't give up. People will always want to immortalize their pets and seem so thrilled to get their pet 'in stone'."