Northeast Ohio Rocks! Artist of the Week April 2018

This month I would like to honor some people who consistently share kindness with all of us at Northeast Ohio Rocks! If you have posted a painted or a found rock, you have probably gotten a comment from some of the ladies I am going to honor this month.

For the Week of April 8, 2018

For the week of April 8, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors member Betty Lou Kee. Betty, you are truly a blessing to all of us. YOU ROCK!

First I would like to thank Nancy for all the work managing Northeast Ohio Rocks!. It is a wonderful way anyone can show kindness. My sister in law Becky Barnes signed me up soon after you started. She also supplies me with clean rocks, then hides them for me. I haven't painted many but I did meet the 100 smiles challenge. Becky set me up to keep my mind active as my body no longer at 80 is very active. The biggest benefits I get are spending time on my phone seeing the posts of painted rocks, then the finding of them. I especially like to see the kids smiles, that makes me real happy. We have some really wonderful artists in the group that do fabulous work. This viewing is " my trip to an art gallery ". I also feel like l am a part of a big family and really relish seeing how everyone has progressed over such a short time. As some rocks have read, Kindness is Free . Kindness is something really needed in today's world and hey, spreading to 70 countries , Wowza! Getting children and families into painting and hiding together is a sure way to teach them how to share kindness and have fun too. Since I don't get out much I have yet to find my 1st painted rock, but I know I will. Thank you again for starting this wonderful adventure and for blessing me with this honor. I am truly blessed being a member of Northeast Ohio Rocks! God Bless, Betty Lou Kee

For the Week of April 15, 2018

For the week of April 15, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors member,  Berna McNeal.  Berna, you are appreciated by so many. YOU ROCK

My name is Bernadette McNeal. I am 54 years young!!! I am an RN and I work in Warren, Ohio. Love my job!!! I have 3 beautiful kids who are married. I love my Daughter in law and my 2 son in laws. I am blessed with the most beautiful Grandchildren. 7 in all. The hardest thing was losing one. Baby George was stillborn and we miss him very much. I became a member because seeing all the positive messages makes me smile!! My grandkids love to paint, but I think they like hiding them the best!!! I think we need more love in this world!!! My grandkids are ready to start painting and hiding again since spring is here!!! Thank you Nancy for this great group! It always makes me smile!! Rock on!!!!

For the Week of April 22, 2018

For the week of April 22, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors member Carolyn Regal Johnston. Carolyn, you are truly an inspiration and support to so many in our group through your kinds words. YOU ROCK!

I’m 83 years young. My Husband and I have 3 Children, 5 Grandchildren and 5 Great-Grandchildren. They all help paint and hide rocks!! A rock painting Family smiles together. I found my first rock at Ashtabula County Medical Center in 2017 and I was so excited!! I read the back and followed the instructions on it!! This made me want to start painting rocks to share such a positive experience. Sharing posts with other rock painters is such a wonderful thing and it gives me so many fun ideas!! I have tremors so to free hand paint is difficult but I am able to do lots of other fun things!! Hope to bring love and smiles for a long time to come.

Painting Rocks! FAQs

Have you found a rock? Are you wondering how to get started? Here are the most frequently asked questions to help you get started.

Where do you find rocks?

Because of the growth of the rock movement across the United States it isn’t as easy as finding a rock on a walk and some areas don’t have access to rocks. So, what do you do? You can purchase rocks from Home Depot. You can order rocks site to store from Home Depot or Walmart. You can check with your local landscaping company. Also, try your local gravel pit. Many of these places will allow you to bring a 5 gallon bucket to fill for under $5.00.

Favorite rocks are the Mexican River Rock, Caribbean Beach Pebbles and Dorado Beach River Rock

Do I have to wash my rocks?

Yes, you do. It is important to have good rock preparation for the paint and sealer to adhere. Use a brush to clear away any dirt or flaking. You may use sandpaper to sand your flaking areas but be sure to finish up with a fine grit sand paper. I would avoid flaking rocks to save the trouble of sanding. Be sure to wash away all dirt and sand from your rock. 

It is also important that your rock has had proper time to dry. Rocks are porous and the water inside your rock will want to escape. This can ruin you artwork.

**Please do not wash your rocks in your sink or dishwasher. The dirt and rock particles are not good for your sink or dishwasher. 


You can place your rocks in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. 

Line the rocks on a parchment covered cookie sheet in a single layer.

Turn the oven off after 10 minutes. More is not better. Water in rocks becomes steam. Steam can explode rocks. 

The rocks are hot. Leave them in the oven to cool giving them more drying time. 


I have my rocks. They are washed and dry. Now what?

Have fun! Paint your rocks with acrylic craft paint. Not an artist? Don’t be discouraged. Anyone can do this! Try stickers. Try paint pens.

See How to Paint Rocks here


Do I have to seal my rock?

Yes. If you want your painted rock to last, you will need to seal your rock. It is easy. I recommend Rustoleum Clear Coat Spray Paint. 

If you don’t have an outdoor space or shouldn’t be around the fumes try Duraclear. Duraclear is a non aerosol sealer that can be used indoors.

How do I track where my rock goes?

Here at Northeast Ohio Rocks! we have labels that direct the finder to our group. 

Labels are attached by a process called decoupage with mod podge. 

It is really simple! Here is a how to video.

Hashtags are a great organizational tool and can be used to track your rock. However, 

Many people don't know what they are. 

Many people don't know how to use them. 

Many people use them incorrectly. 

Hashtags help "track" rocks. I use this term very lightly because tracking requires many factors. 

1. That you made the hashtag correctly

2. That the finder knows what a hashtag is

3. That the finder has facebook or a camera phone

4. That the finder uses the hashtag correctly

Write your hashtag on the back of the rock with a sharpie.

Cover the sharpie with a light coat of mod podge to prevent bleeding and running during sealing.

You can read more about painted rocks and hashtags here