Every pile of rock has its treasures!
I recently re-discovered the art of painting stones. Without a particular purpose, project, big idea or commission, I simply discovered several cute stones and remembered a book I purchased years ago. It’s a paperback by stone painting queen Lin Wellford called “Painting Houses, Cottages and Towns on Rocks” and describes this fabulous technique step by step. It goes something like this:
GO ROCK HUNTING! (definitely a favorite part)
Look for stones that have a flat bottom and some height to suggest a roof line.
Then add a chimney and possibly a roof line detail with woodfiller. There are several different brands out there and I’m still experimenting. Check your local hardware store and get a couple, they are very inexpensive. The book leaves out this detail but I can only strongly suggest to wear latex or nitrile gloves when sculpting with wood filler, it will dry out your skin pronto! The wood filler in tubes comes in handy when adding small details, but personally I prefer the can and scoop out as much as I need. Sculpt the details, let dry, paint, voila!
Another gadget that has come in VERY handy is an old lazy susan. It saves you from having to touch wet paint when turning the house around and also relieves some stress off your hands, depending on how big the rock is. I tend to gravitate towards small rocks, no more than two pounds, preferably one. They’re just really, really cute and invoke this miniature feel of gnomes or smurfs!
You can use photos of actual houses in your neighborhood or anything you find on the web as reference, there’s really no limit to what you can do. As always, experiment, experiment, experiment fearlessly! :-)
I won’t repeat every detail from the book, Lin really covered the topic extremely well and I’d suggest getting it if you’re interested in exploring these adorable stone houses. Or, if you live
In Asheville, come join me for a painting group starting in November! - and again in Summer 2008!
"Dear Damaris - Thank you again for sharing your creative energies and loving spirit with me and the gnome homes. You reminded me of the importance of just slowing down and allowing creative energy to heal and nurture us."
Mollie Millner, Asheville NC
Connie Regan-Blake from Asheville, NC shared this picture of her
lovely Gnome Home Christmas scene!
Whether you’re just looking for a new pastime, awesome gifts for your loved ones, or simply a relaxing way to connect with women while engaging in an easy creative project, email me for details.
We will meet at my studio in West Asheville Tuesday evenings from 6PM-8:30PM (6 meetings, 2008 dates TBA). The first two meetings are essential for technique and will include two finished pieces, the rest we’ll spend creating the little houses at will with all sorts of differently shaped rocks etc.
The fee for the 6-week workshop is only $35 and includes the essential tools you need for you to keep (shaping tools, gloves, suitable wood filler). You will leave with the knowledge and tools to transform rocks into lil’ stone houses at any time. I will have a selection of suitable stones for you to choose from. In addition, keep your eyes out if you’re in the garden or hiking for fist-size rocks that have a flat bottom, not too bumpy texture and a little bit of height to suggest some sort of roof (you can stretch your imagination with that one… hardly any of the stones I pick up already look like a house).
Sign up now to reserve your space in the workshop:
I look forward to connecting and creating with you!
Damaris
