Northeast Ohio Rocks! Artist of the Week June 2018

For the Week of June 10, 2018

For the week of June 10, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Judy Tompkins as Artist of the Week. Below Judy shares her story.

I have always had a passion for arts and crafts. Although I wasn't very good at drawing, I enjoyed sewing, crocheting and always like fixing things.

I started painting and hiding rocks about 1 1/2 years ago. I've never been lucky enough to find any yet, but my family members have found a few. I would have to say, including the 300 share100smiles, I've painted close to 1200 rocks.

Painting and hiding rocks is such a rewarding and worthwhile project. It warms my heart when i see my rocks have been found and I'm happy to bring a little happiness to someone else's day.

I love to paint just about anything on my rocks. Harry Potter, lil monsters, flowers etc. The ideas are truly endless. Thank you for choosing me as artist of the week. I am truly humbled.

For the Week of June 17, 2018

For the week of June 17, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Joyce Phillips as it's Artist of the Week. Below Joyce shares her story.

I started painting rocks with my grand kids, daughters and son-in-law in the beginning of July 2017. We were inspired after finding several rocks while out hiking. 

Before rock painting my arts & crafts were limited to small crafts with the grand kids or helping with school projects. I became obsessed with painting and was producing 10 - 12 rocks a day. 

In October, I became ill and was later diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer & my rock painting slowed considerably. I had surgery in December and am now on chemo until end of July or early August. I still manage to paint a few rocks a few days each week. I like to try new ideas but I also enjoy letting the rocks speak to me and creating simple things like dogs, flowers, rainbows, collages and such. 

I have painted around 1500 rocks including 3 sets of 100 smiles and have found around 15. The members of this group are the nicest people. Everyone is so positive and encouraging which is so uplifting. Thank you for choosing me and rock on Northeast Ohio Rocks!

For the week of June 24, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Traci Sanders Moody as Artist of the Week. Below Traci shares her story.

Hello my name is Traci Moody and I am so excited to be the artist of the week! I love being a part of Northeast Ohio Rocks! because it allows me to relax my mind ( I am a High School Biology teacher) and dabble with crafts and creativity. I have "painted" and "hid" 485 rocks since March of 2017 including 1 set of 100 smiles. I say "paint" because I lack that artistic talent most possess in this group; instead I work with stickers and really only paint in the backgrounds. Ocean scenes are the best ha ha. Another way I skirt around my lack of painting abilities is to write puns. The cheesier the better! Even though my rocks are not museum quality I have seen first hand the smiles they bring. So if you are reading this and haven't participated yet because you don't think you are an artist, please pick up a brush and get started.I promise you, fun will be had by all. I am kind of a homebody, and therefore seldomly hide my own rocks. I usually give the rocks I create to my Mother in Youngstown to hide for me. She likes watching the group to see if our rocks get posted. I also love to share this experience with my students. They hide my rocks for me whenever they go on vacation for winter, spring or summer break. My students and I were so excited to see my rocks posted from students' trips to Iceland and Disneyland. I always have a few rocks on hand to pass out to family and friends at get togethers. Everyone gets something positive out of this group no matter what role you play: the painter, the hider, or the finder. My hashtag is #furbabiesrock because I am the Mother of 4 dogs and a mini pig. Although I create rocks for holidays and group specified themes, my love for wildlife is noticeable since animals are usually the subjects of my rocks.This group has opened my mind to arts and crafts and I have branched out and started a few different projects. I enjoy painting ceramics, making button art and lawn art /flowers (from tea cups and saucers). All in all this group has opened my eyes to new projects/ideas , introduced me to a plethora of kind people and has shown me just how impactful a small act of kindness can be. ( I have literally jumped for joy each of the 6 times I have found a rock) Thank you & Rock on!

Northeast Ohio Rocks! Artist of the Week May 2018

For the Week of May 6, 2018

For the week of May 6, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Carole Hogan as Artist of the Week. Below Caroles shares her story.

Carole used to paint with acrylics years ago. Knitting, crocheting, and sewing have always been my favorite craft projects. She has made some quilts and wall hangings, and participated in a doll making group. 

Her daughter got her interested in rock painting after a "girls day" of painting. She signed her up for Northeast Ohio Rocks. Carole likes to paint Snoopy rocks the best, but has tried many others, getting a lot of ideas from Pinterest. She has painted about 400 rocks and has found 3. 

The themes are a challenge but she participates when she can. This is a fun, creative group. Everyone has the same passion, to "paint rocks" and "make people smile".

For the Week of May 13, 2018

For the week of May 13, 2018, Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors the Jennifer Treacy Miller family as Artist of the Week. Below Jennifer shares their Northeast Ohio Rocks! story with us.

The Miller 6 are an amazing family of painters, hiders, finders and re-hiders. Thank you Jennifer! Thank you #miller6rocks

My whole family paints rocks! We are a family of 6 and the kids are 9,9,6 and 1 now. My kids love crafts and love to draw, but other than school crafts, we were not too artistic at home. I had first heard about Northeast Ohio Rocks when some of my friends had started painting them, but when we found our first rock we wanted to paint our own to hide. We all like to paint different things. Flowers, mandalas, Mario rocks, candy rocks, and rocks with writing. We just started using paint pens this spring and that has helped us a lot! We like painting rocks because it is fun, but I think one of our favorite things is hiding them. We love leaving rocks in places that we visit, or driving around town just to hide them in local places. It is awesome when we can see that our rocks have been found. My kids are great rock finders. We think we have found at least 15 rocks that we have posted and rehidden. We have been keeping a list of the hashtags on the rocks so we can try to follow them too. We have painted around 50 rocks so far, but we are ready to paint a bunch more over summer break. I love painting as a whole family, it is a way to relax and enjoy something together. I love that this group is here to spread kindness and smiles, and I think it is a way to bring out the artist in everyone! Thanks for this group!

For the Week of May 20, 2018

For the week of May 20, 2018, Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Billie Esterle as Artist of the Week. Below Billie shares her Northeast Ohio Rocks! story with us.

Thank you Billie for all you do here at Northeast Ohio Rocks!

I can't paint beautiful pictures. I have 0 talent. So I paint the rocks and write words and use stickers. I love the sparkle Mod Podge so all my rocks sparkle! Everyone needs a little sparkle in their lives! I started painting about 14 months ago and have painted almost 2500 rocks. My favorite part is hiding the rocks. Love it when little kids find the rocks. My husband and I are in Colorado right now, I brought 30 rocks to hide and will be painting with my grandsons while we are here. Recently a rock I painted made it's way to Uruguay. It was a pink rock that said "Hope" One of my favorite things to paint are little gold rocks I write "YOU ROCK" on them and leave them for servers at restaurants. They get a big kick out of them. Thank Nancy for starting this group. I love seeing the beautiful rocks!

For the Week of May 27, 2018

For the week of May 27, 2018, Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Debby White as Artist of the Week. Below Debby shares her Northeast Ohio Rocks! story with us.

I started to paint rocks a year ago thanks to my daughter who gifted me a basket of paints and brushes right after I retired. My love of painting and drawing goes back to elementary school where as a child I just loved Art Class. I also loved paint by number and velvet art. I really am enjoying my new hobby, I love painting / hiding but I especially love finding rocks. I have been lucky I have found about 10 Northeast Ohio Rocks! painted rocks. I have painted over 1000 rocks. I really enjoy being a member of this fine group.

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

Northeast Ohio Rocks! Artist of the Week for March 2018

For the Week of March 4, 2018

For the week of March 4, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Marie Brinko as Artist of the Week. Below Marie shares her story.

Marie's Story...

I think I have been crafty/artsy since I was a young adult. Being left handed, it was always difficult for others to show me how to do things. I looked “backwards” to them. But I found my way. I have painted ceramics, painted on canvas and now I love painting rocks! I have made and sold jewelry doing a lot of craft shows, crocheted baby blankets, did stamping and making cards. But I feel painting rocks is the most relaxing of all of the above. Painting is good for the soul. I tend to forget about everything while I concentrate on painting.

I love seeing the little kids faces when they find a rock and how excited they get. That is what it is all about. Or a person who is going through a rough time, and they find a rock that is inspirational to their situation. I have had quite a few of those. Since joining in June 2017 I have painted at least 400 rocks, and about 100 have been posted. Not bad odds! If our rocks brighten someone’s day for even 10 minutes it’s has done its job.

This group has so many gifted artists! Who would have thought painting on ROCKS would be a thing!! Everyone is kind, considerate and goofy too. It’s amazing the rocks I see.

For the Week of March 11, 2018


For the week of March 11, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Amy Klumpp as Artist of the Week. Below Amy shares her story.

Amy's story...

I have lived in the Youngstown area off and on my whole life. I have always enjoyed different types of precise crafting: counted cross stitching, calligraphy- my mom, sister and niece were and are gifted artists- I tend to be more graphically inclined! I started “rocking” when our Women’s Ministry at my church asked me to print the fruit of the spirit on hundreds of rocks! It was fun and they were quite fabulous and well-received. Then, my 89 y.o. friend (and now fellow rock hound) asked me to do large rocks with “Jesus is my Rock”... she and others gave them as gifts. Then, I finally found my first rock in the Cleveland area... the rest is history!

I have been a social worker for 35 years-working with victims of criminal pedophiles, behavioral teens, high risk families, and for the past 13 years- the coordinator for the Mahoning County Felony Drug Court. At 57, I am at the point where I don’t watch news or reality shows... I just want to relax and escape and Northeast Ohio Rocks! has provided me that outlet! My most favorite thing is to see the face of the families and kids at the hospitals who seem to find that perfect rock to change the trajectory of their day from glum and sad to special and hopeful!❤️

I’m trying to be more spontaneous in what and how I paint. I love doing the mandalas and the “dottilism”. My military rocks have been my most popular and I love to honor the service of military families as well as our brave first responders! Painting my rocks has become a most awesome diversion from some of the issues I deal with in my job... having the opportunity to make family, friends, and now complete strangers happy is the icing on the cake! I appreciate the simple but most beautiful mission of Northeast Ohio Rocks!... simply doing a random act of kindness... maybe making someone’s day a little more special... such a simple thing... but such a powerful way to touch another’s life. And what we do for other’s God uses to bless us abundantly!

For the Week of March 18, 2018

For the week of March 18, 2018 Northeast Ohio Rocks! honors Hannah Stopar as Artist of the Week. 

Hello all you ROCK STARS! I want to first of all thank Nancy for all her time and dedication she puts into this amazing group! I have never had much artsy talent. I had an in-home daycare for a few years and started to explore a little and try different arts and crafts with the children. I knew that once I started to have more fun and started to really get into the details of the projects that I might just have a little bit of creativity in me afterall. I had not heard of this new trend of painting rocks until my hubby and daughter came home from the gas station and handed me this Painted Rock. I was so excited that I ran inside and looked it up right away. It wasn't even a week later when I asked my hubby what he thought about me maybe having a little area to paint a few rocks. Well that little area has now taken over the entire front porch of our home. Lol.. I will admit in the beginning my rocks were not the best looking. I actually came across a picture of one of my first rocks that i had painted and was pretty amazed to see how far i have come in just under a year. I really enjoy writing quotes on my rocks. I feel that sometimes everyone needs to find a rock that just makes them SMILE. I try to use very bright cheerful colors when I do paint the rocks. I have just recently discovered that I really like to paint and create butterflies. They are so much fun to draw and so very colorful. I also enjoy making Glittery rocks. I have had many compliments on my Glittery rocks, I have just begun to do the 100 rock challenge. Seeing all the talented people who have done them really inspired me to give it a try. There are certain ROCK STARS who have painted 16 sets of 100( i won't mention any names, but i know she knows who i am talking about) I have even inspired my two daughters to paint with me. My oldest has an incredible ability to draw and create absolutely amazing pictures. The rocks that she has painted just amazed me. Being a part of this amazing group is such a wonderful feeling. Painting rocks for the Rainbow Babies and Children Hospital really touched my heart, because my daughter spent a lot of time there when she was an infant. This past Veterans Day I decided to paint 50 rocks and put together a basket for my local VFW post. I dropped it of on their doorstep and waited to hopefully see one of the rocks on Facebook. I will admit that after a few weeks I did get a little discouraged. To my surprise I received a message from Nancy telling me that I had better sit down.. She proceeded to tell me that I had been featured on the Ellen Degeneres and the Good Goes Round Champaign. Lets just say that I was no longer feeling discouraged! So to anyone who has painted rocks and haven't seen them posted on Facebook, just remember that you can bet your bottom dollar that YOUR rock brought a SMILE to someone's face! For all of you out there who haven't yet found one of these amazing rocks well then I really suggest that you start painting them for your area and I can almost guarantee that it will inspire others who live in your area to start painting too! Northeast Ohio Rocks! is not only a group of many talented artists, but it is also a group of amazing people who dedicate their time and effort to help bring SMILES to Random people. That is why I am proud to say that I am a member of Northeast Ohio Rocks! and will continue to paint and spread Kindness with my ROCKS! Since I began painting Rocks I would have to say that I have probably found about 15 rocks and painted over 700 myself and both of my daughters have each painted at least 10 each. I hope that my story and the stories of the other amazing Rock Painters in this group inspire more people to become part of such an amazing group! Thank you again Nancy for dedicating so much of your time, effort, and support to even make it possible for me to be a part of this amazing group!

Thank you ROCK STARS and I hope to see more people helping to spread Kindness and creating SMILES