BEATING DOWN COVID

WE NEEDED SOMETHING DESPERATELY. Something to tide over a summer following home schooling before video classrooms. The "PANDEMIC lock down" didn't leave much choice for what to do. A painted rock found along the walkway in our favorite city park and another two at the city library spawned our solution. The rocks had been placed by Springfield Rocks with reference back to location and date painted shown by a strip of paper applied to the back. Rock painting, with or without the direct membership of the city rock painter club would be our resolve. Acrylic paints and sealers with a collection of various tipped art brushes sat over blotter paper and several rinse bowls for brush clean up can while away hours for anyone patient enough to create art on a rock. Of course there are suggested ends for the art created. It gets shared to the general public. It is to be hidden in a public place to be found, photographed and notated of location on social media, then hidden for the next person. The rocks travel sometimes over seas as a traveler finds, displays and restarts the stone on its way from a grocery store isle, shopping mall bench, library shelf or a walkway in the park. Many communities have online meet ups to display new artwork and progress made on a series of paintings and those found.

The elementary school crow is easily entertained for hours if allowed to pluck up rocks on a walk through the park, or through the neighborhood. Idealizing upon what that rock could become based upon the preexisting lines, crevices and bulges on the stone can easily tie up another half hour before washing and prepping for paints. Images from favorite cartoons and late super heroes, including Jedi and Babahut characters or the Batman crew... Joker and Green Goblin or just favorite food items tend to be choice subject for child painters. Like all painting exercises with young children, the paint table should be one you can emotionally bear seeing painted. I set up a project where Batman was being created, left for an urgent trip to the bathroom and returned quickly as possible to find Batman had visited ...and left his trim color trails on chairs windows, the front door and... the table. There was water... to thin the paint and yes, there were paper towels (never enroll a young painter without paper towels, soap and water) to wipe away any large spills. Looking past the remaining Batman color on the window frames and front door and frame, testimony that the rock painting with young children is a worthwhile venture. It is enjoyable. It allows expression of creativity. It ties up so much time otherwise spent answering questions of "why can't I" and it can be done over and over until the paint runs out. You may have to tighten up loose edges to make a paint subject LOOK LIKE the planned outcome, but that's whee you will demonstrate sheer concern for the child's interest. Make it a success. The rock will take overnight to dry before a varnish sealer should be applied to protect the artwork from rain, dust and an outside tumble or two as it waits to be discovered by a passerby. There should be a "date painted" and zip code or city name etched onto the back so that anyone finding your painted rock will know the travel distance it has made.

Short of our city rock painters group listed on social networks like most community or school rock painter groups like Springfield IL Rocks, Ireland Rock Painters, England's Rock Painters and smaller groups like Zkyriah 5 Rock Hound... or simply buy them on Etsy or similar sites and hide them! It's a fun and time consuming activity for all ages... especially young learners.