A Rock Painter's Brain - Updated for 2017

I originally blogged about A Rock Painter's Brain - The Creative Process in January 2015 and realized it was time for a 2017 update.

I did not apply a sealer to the brain in 2015 so I could repaint sections where my goals were met and add new items for the upcoming year.

The sections of the brain still include:

• Inspiration
• Creative Soul Food
• Rocks To Finish
• I Want
• To Do
• Rocks I Want To Paint

Inspiration - After 2 years, I still get my inspiration from Pinterest, Nature, and two Facebook groups - Rock Painting and Rock Painters Extension Group.

Creative Soul Food - Nothing has changed here. I still enjoy chocolate, coffee, pistachios and wine.

Rocks To Finish - This section is for my priority projects. In 2015, Noah's Ark was completed and gifted to a friend and elephants now replace that section of the brain. I need to start and complete a 6-sided rock. Nativities are always a priority in preparation for the upcoming Christmas season.

I Want - I like to buy rock painting supplies and acquired most of my wants in 2015 and 2016 - display easels, gift bags, a fine point pen, and nail art brushes. In 2017, my new wants are Posca fine point pens, white gel pen, white beach pebbles, and small pliers.

To Do - In 2015, I received a new camera and learned how to use it to photograph my painted rocks. A project I now want to accomplish is a pebble art wall hanging for my entryway porch.

Rocks I Want to Paint - Many of these (and more) were painted on rocks between 2015 and now - matryoshkas, mandalas, owls, cactus, dogs, hearts, slimy critters. I kept most of them on the brain because they were so enjoyable to paint. Maybe I should rename this section "Favorite Rocks to Paint."

This is the mind map concept taken to the next level!

Happy New Year, everyone.
May all your rock painting dreams come true.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Projects for Valentine's Day

Nothing says "I love you" more than a hand-made gift. These rock painting projects and ideas are unique and whimsical ways to show your love on Valentine's Day and warm the recipient's heart.

Sweet, Simple Gifts - No Fat Rock Candies

Painted rock candies are a sweet Valentine's Day gift to paint on rocks and stones. Learn how to paint rock candy.

How to Create Valentine's Day Gifts of Painted Love Bug Rocks

Love Bug painted rocks would certainly warm the heart of that special Valentine both young and old. Learn how to paint these cute critters.

How to Create a Stained Glass Heart Stone with Glue and Paint

This is a simple project and great for kids. They can easily draw their own design and paint within the lines. See the "how to" for this project.

Painted Heart Stones

You can paint all types of heart designs on triangular and heart-shaped rocks and they make great gifts for any occasion!
Click here for heart ideas and inspiration.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

A Rock Painter's Brain - The Creative Process

Many times an inspiration dictates my next rock painting project. In this case A Crafter's Brain did the trick.

Source: Total Class Creative

Step 1: Once inspiration hits, I start looking for the shape of rock I need. In this case, I had the perfect stone which eerily resembled a skull.

Step 2: I primed the rock with white acrylic paint and allowed it to sit for a while. As I walked past the primed stone, I started to visualize how I wanted to paint it.

Step 3: I decided where facial features would best fit on the rock to allow a large, brain section and then painted only the face portion. (Because I'm not a portraitist, I found many how-to guides for drawing/painting faces on Pinterest.)

Step 4: For a little bling, I used E6000 craft glue to attach earrings onto the stone. (These were small, flower-shaped beads I had from an earlier project.)

Step 5: I spent a few days putting thoughts on paper to gauge the number and size of each brain section I planned to paint.

(For other rock painting projects, I've used a piece of paper or computer paint program to sketch my designs and test paint colors prior to committing it to the rock.)


Step 6: I started painting the sections - sized according to what I recorded on paper earlier.

Step 7: Sharpie fine-point markers were used to fill in each painted section with words. (Note: I generally don't use Sharpies because they can bleed and change color when sealed. But in this case, it would have been very difficult to use paint and brush to write my words.)

Step 8: I continued filling in all the sections with my rock-painting thoughts.

This video shows each angle of the completed "Rock Painter's Brain."

Now I have my 2015 rock painting goals set in stone.

Click here to see how I updated my brain for 2017.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Website for Everything Cindy Painted Rocks

It occurred to me I needed a "hub" to make it easier for you to quickly find my rock painting information.

So, I created...
 

www.CindyPaintedRocks.com

From this "hub" site you can easily get to my:

• Rock painting blog where I share rock painting tips, ideas, and inspiration
• Facebook page where you can see my current painted rock projects and interact with myself and others in "real time"
• Pinterest boards where I collect rock painting ideas and share rocks painted by myself and others
• Flikr gallery where I regularly add photos of the rocks I've painted
• He is my Rock where you can learn about the unique nativity sets, scenes and figures I paint on rocks and stones
• Online store where you can purchase my hand-painted rocks and stones

 

Go to CindyPaintedRocks.com and bookmark the site so you can quickly and easily:

• Find new rock painting ideas and inspiration
• Read more about me and how rock painting has changed my life and affects me daily
• Contact me

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Suns and Moons Painted on Stones

My sister collects suns and I wanted to paint a few so she could choose the one she liked best.

My sister chose this painted sun/moon rock for her collection

To get my creative juices flowing, I started a new Pinterest board. It features ideas and inspiration for painting various sun and moon designs on rocks and stones.

Ideas: Suns/Moons Rocks

There are so many ways to paint suns and moons on rocks or stones and they are unique, eye-catching gifts and paperweights as well as colorful whimsy for a garden.

Reversible sun/moon "doodled" painted rock

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board for more tips, tricks, ideas, and patterns to use for painting rocks, stones and pebbles.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Flowers Painted on Rocks and Stones

I enjoy painting flowers on rocks because they look so pretty in a garden and make wonderful gifts any time of the year.

See more painted rocks for the garden

To get my creative juices flowing, I have a new Pinterest inspiration board. It features ideas and patterns for painting flowers on rocks, stones and pavers.

Ideas: Flowers Painted Rocks

There are many simple and realistic ways to paint flowers on rocks, stones or pavers. Painted flower rocks add color, interest, beauty and whimsy to your garden and are unique, eye-catching gifts which will always be in bloom.

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board for more tips, tricks, ideas, and patterns to use for painting rocks, stones and pebbles. 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Butterflies Painted on Rocks

I enjoy painting butterflies on rocks because of all the beautiful, bright colors I can use.

See how this rock was transformed into a Paisley butterfly

To help get my creative juices flowing, I have a new Pinterest inspiration board. It features ideas and patterns for painting butterflies on rocks, stones and pavers.

Ideas: Butterflies Rocks

There are many simple, whimsical ways you can paint a butterfly on a stone or paver. Painted butterfly rocks add color, interest, beauty and whimsy to your garden and are unique, eye-catching garden art gifts for a special friend.

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board for more tips, tricks, ideas, and patterns to use for painting rocks, stones and pebbles. 

 
 © Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Birds Painted on Rocks

Spring is just around the corner and bird song will soon fill the air. I'm collecting ideas on a new Pinterest inspiration board. It features tips and ideas for painting birds (other than owls) on rocks and stones.

Ideas: Birds Painted Rocks

I enjoy painting birds on rocks because of all the beautiful, bright colors I can use. If you are new to rock painting, there are many simple, whimsical ways you can paint a bird on a rock.

Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board for more tips, tricks, ideas, and patterns to use for painting rocks, stones and pebbles.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: People Painted on Rocks

I have a new Pinterest inspiration board. It features ideas and tips for painting people, figures, dolls and other types of folks on rocks

Ideas: People Painted Rocks

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Fifty years ago, The Beatles invaded America and this idea pinned to my "people" board inspired these painted rocks.

Inspiration for The Beatles Painted on Rocks

A simple, sumo wrestler was inspired by this idea which is also "pinned" to the people painted rocks board.

Inspiration for Sumo Wrestler Painted Rock

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Wild Animals

I have a new Pinterest inspiration board for painting wild animals on rocks which I'll be adding to regularly.

Ideas: Wild Animals Rocks

You can paint all types of wild animals on rocks, either realistically or cartoon-like. Many people have a favorite animal they like to collect and painted rocks are great, personalized gifts for any occasion! 

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Hearts Painted on Stones

You can paint all types of heart designs on triangular and heart-shaped rocks and they make great gifts for any occasion!

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For ideas and inspiration to paint on heart-shaped and triangular rocks and stones, I've started a new Pinterest board - Ideas: Hearts Painted Rocks.

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Here's a fun heart idea you can paint on a rock right now.

Click to learn more about this painted heart rock project

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Food-Related Painted Rocks

Rocks painted to resemble food get laughs and look good enough to eat.

How to Paint No-Fat Rock Candies

Maybe these rock candies look too good!  

Always remember to keep food-related painted rocks away from small children.

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I have a new Pinterest board for food-related rock painting inspiration which I'll be adding to regularly - Ideas: Food Painted Rocks.

You can create all types of food with painted rocks and they make great gifts for any occasion!

Sushi Painted Rocks - Click to see more from the menu

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Christmas Ideas for Painted Rocks

Painted rocks are great gifts to make, give, and receive over the Christmas holidays.

Santa Ornaments Painted on Rocks

For Christmas rock painting inspiration, I have a new Pinterest board: Ideas: Christmas Painted Rocks.

Painted rocks can be more than ornaments, too. Larger rocks can be painted as indoor/outdoor holiday home and garden decor.

Large Painted Rock Santa with Detachable Head

Christmas will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start collecting rocks and stones (before they're covered by snow) and painting them.

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Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks