Sunday, September 9, 2018

Northeast Ohio Rocks! Artist of the Week September 2018

For the Week of September 9, 2018

For the week of September 9, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Kathleen Thomas as Artist of the Week. Below Kathleen shares her story.



I didn't get into much arts or crafts until I started painting rocks. The joy of finding my first rock is really what made me start painting. I had joined the group quite a while before I even found a rock. I found my first rock with my cousin on our way into Joann Fabrics and I shared with her what it was all about. Well that is all it took we bought supplies and started painting! I started out using a lot of ideas from pinterest I tend to use it now for the more detailed rocks. I love painting inspirational rocks. My favorite thing about NEO Rocks is seeing how far our rocks travel, I've had one posted from Voss, Norway and the smiles that people share when they post them (that brings back the memory of me finding my rock). I haven't kept count of how many rocks I've painted but I would have to say a few hundred! I may just set a goal to do a share 100 smiles set. I really enjoy hiding the rocks while out walking my dogs in parks or hiding them in the local grocery store. I have to say I love our group everyone is so kind and the smiles we share and put on peoples faces is just priceless. I'm grateful to be apart of NorthEast Ohio Rocks. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be the artist of the week.





For the Week of September 16, 2018

For the week of September 16, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Jennifer Douglas as Artist of the Week. Below Jennifer shares her story.



I started enjoying art when I joined this group in August 2017. I had hear about the rock kindness project somewhere on line and got led to the FB group. My daughter and I did it together in the beginning and then I sort of took over. Lol I’ve only done scrapbookking in the past.

I’m a very basic painter – smiles, inspirational word rocks, swirly rocks. I’m pleased with my improvement over this past year. I’ve had some success copying some Pinterest ideas. (and I’m really happy with how my Halloween rocks are turning out, lol.)

Love inspires me to paint rocks– as cheesy as it may sound, I want to send more love out in to the world. I love painting now.. I do a little bit each day of the process. It’s my favorite hobby.

I love the concept of Northeast Ohio Rocks!, the kindness it puts out in to the world, the way members support each other. I love when we hear about children finding rocks and when people find a rock at just the right time.


I haven’t kept track of the number of rocks I’ve painted. I’ve been painting for over a year now and if I estimate by the projects I’ve participated in (100 smiles, memorial rocks, etc) it’s around 425. I’ve found 7 rocks total – 6 last year and one this year.



For the Week of September 23, 2018


For the week of September 23, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Diane Bonifati as Artist of the Week. Below Diane shares her story.





I took some art classes way back in high school and always enjoyed painting. I had to be crafty when I took on the role of Girl Scout leader for many years with the help of my co-leaders. In 2010, I decided to make a quilt. After cutting out over 1,000 small squares of fabric, I accomplished a queen size quilt. I loved the creativity of colors and shapes.

I found my first painted rock in a KOA campground in San Antonio in 2017. Then, at my campground, one of the campers put together a painted rock group and I joined it, started painting rocks and watched the happy faces when they found them. I love painting and find it to be very relaxing. I give rocks to anyone who is going on vacation so they can travel and bring smiles to those who find them. My husband is always asking me how many rocks I have in my purse, usually at least 3. You just never know where you will find the perfect place to hide one. I really don't know how many rocks I've painted in the past 2 years. I tend to paint random things so you never know what I have to go out and spread smiles.

I love Northeast Ohio Rocks! So many talented and supportive people and all of us doing this to bring happiness to someone who needs it. ROCK ON painters and hiders/finders!




For the Week of September 30, 2018


For the week of September 30, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Glenna Talbot-Budrow as Artist of the Week. Below Glenna shares her story.


A few years ago a friend asked if I wanted to go to a rock painting class with her. I said why not, it's something to do. I was watching some of the others painting and thought, wow, what fun. I started gathering rocks and a few supplies, but it wasn't until my husband and I walked into McDonald's and found a Gene Simmons Kiss rock painted by Joni Briggs that I got really excited. I read all about this group, joined, posted this rock and re-hid it. I had so much fun doing this, I was hooked. I knew I couldn't paint like that but i love painting fairy houses and simple things. Some times I hide a rock and just sit and watch when someone finds it. Their smile makes me smile especially the little kids. I'm retired and this has kept me somewhat sane. Lol Even when i take day trips with my friends they say "did you bring some rocks?" Thank you for wanting to hear my story and thank you Joni Briggs.