I was one of those kids that collected a pocketful of rocks on family outings and adventures. Only thing is, I never grew out of it! On many vacations I have set my eye on a magnificent piece of nature that would be my trip souvenir.
Why do I love rocks? They make me happy. A rock panorama has a calming effect on me and makes me feel content. They create adventure. Scaling a natural rock formation to the top makes you feel proud and free. They are beautiful. Natural rock formations have created some of the most incredibly scenic places in the world.
It definitely seems fitting that I am now creating rock art. Finding the rocks for my art is definitely not an easy task, especially when you are a rock lover. I have a lot of criteria set for rock picking, so much so that none of my family members or friends will help me anymore! It has to be the right shape – large potato with a flat bottom for a woodpecker or large, oval and pudgy for a bunny and the list goes on. In addition, the rock must have some interest in colour and geological formation. For me it’s all about the rock because the rock is what creates and finalizes the personality of each sculpture.
I’ve discovered that there are a lot of other people that also have a strong connection to rocks and have a favorite rock or two at their homestead. In fact I have made many garden art creations with someone’s special rock.
One customer kept a rock from the structure of her best friend’s cottage that had to be torn down. She hung onto it for years knowing that one day she would find something to do with it. She randomly came across me at a show and knew immediately that one of my heron sculptures was going to be her friend’s wedding gift and would showcase that special rock.
One more reason I love rocks? They allow me to create something special that makes people happy and sometimes tell a story.
Sandi will be in the gallery next on July 4th.
