Painted Rocks

I've been mistaken for a creative person, but what I actually am is an avid borrower of non-patented ideas. I also am surrounded by great friends who bring smooth rocks, containers of paint, and brilliant suggestions to my kitchen table. Gail and her three children joined us for an art project of painting rocks and distributing them in parks for other people to find and keep.

Our project started with the happy chaos of selecting rocks, distributing paint, finding the right brushes, and choosing what we wanted to paint. Then we settled down to work and watched our rocks come to life.

The car my 3-year-old masterminded
 and couldn't part with.

While one layer of paint was drying, we baked other rocks at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until they were nice and hot. Then we used crayons to color the hot rocks. The crayon melts as you draw, filling in crooks and crannies and smoothing out the picture. Warning: Melted crayon runs, so if you try it, don't expect perfection.

"Painted" with crayon. Also a rock my son couldn't part with.

After lunch, the younger children drifted off to play and we moms and an almost-adult-daughter sat down with paints and rocks. It was quiet and restful. We painted every rock she brought. 

My favorite. Gail painted it.

Once the rocks were dry and sprayed with a clear sealant, we gathered children and rocks and went to parks to distribute them. The children put them on playground equipment, on edges and ledges, and in other noticeable hidey holes. 

We left Gail's pie on a picnic table.

It was easily our favorite art project of the year, making it a great way to end a school term.

Not long afterwards, our family went to Virginia to visit grandparents. I noticed a small, beautifully painted rock on their back deck and asked about it. The rock was a gift. Someone had anonymously placed a painted rock on every mailbox post on their street. 

I felt warmed by the story. Someone else out there knows the fun of planning, painting, and placing rocks for other people to enjoy.