Before & After Painted Rocks: Rabbits

You can paint rabbits on rocks or transform a rock into a rabbit.

I used the shape of this smooth, flat stone to paint a rabbit holding a heart on one side and a large, plaid heart on the reverse side.

The shape, dimension and size of this rock was ideal for a painted flop-eared bunny rabbit. 

See More Before & After Painted Rocks

• Various
• The Beatles
• Garden Critters
• Furry Pets 
• Machines
• Wild Animals
• Suns
• Christmas Holiday
• Things with Wings  

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Another Idea for a Painted Rock Hedgehog

My July 23, 2012 post described how I used wild rice for a painted rock hedgehog's quills.

Another idea is to use pine needles for the quills.


Brush a generous amount of tacky glue around the middle of the rock and press dry pine needles in it. The needles should point toward the tail of the hedgehog. Glue a second row of needles in front of the first, leaving a blank space for painting on the face.

Rock Painting Ideas from the Pantry

Over the summer, my niece is caring for a hedgehog named Basil.

Basil the Hedgehog

I never thought much about hedgehogs but when I saw Basil's picture, I just had to paint her on a rock because she was such a cute, little critter.

However, the idea of painting all those quills seemed too time consuming. So, into the pantry I went where I found a package of wild rice that was the perfect substitute for a hedgehog's quills.

I implemented my idea by first painting Basil's face on the rock and applying brown paint to the rest of her body. I then liberally applied Mod Podge where I wanted the quills to be attached and submerged the rock into a bowl of raw, wild rice.

Basil, the Painted Rock Hedgehog

It was necessary to revise my project idea slightly because I learned that Mod Podge is not the best glue for this project. (I had to go back and reattach some of the wild rice with Elmer's Glue.) Therefore, regular glue works best to attach the rice and Mod Podge is best used as a final sealer to further keep the "quills" in place.

My sister has since suggested using pine needles for the quills so they'll stick up more. Hmm... and I thought painting the quills was time consuming? I'll be experimenting with that idea.


All in all, I think Basil, the Painted Rock Hedgehog, is almost as cute a critter as the real thing.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Add Whimsy to Your Garden with Painted Rock Critters

As quoted in The Denver Post, "Adding art to your garden is an extension of your identity," ... "You decorate the inside, why not the outside? Any personality, any hobby, can be represented - classical, funky, seasonal - you name it."

Rocks can be painted to achieve all of these garden art styles and more - whimsy, magic, personality, love of animals, seasonal, classical, funky, etc.

For instance, you can express your whimsical nature with a cute, painted rock critter that hides among the foliage and flowers.

Can you imagine a painted rock alligator's head peeking from underneath your garden foliage? Do you think it would attract attention to your garden and cause a closer look?

Take a peek at how an alligator's head painted on a rock added subtle whimsy to these gardens.

What is this critter doing in my garden?

Is this alligator alive?

Are those day lilies growing out of that alligator rock?

Can this alligator smell the roses (er, daisies)?

With a little acrylic paint and imagination, rocks can be transformed into garden art that's either fun & whimsical or beautiful & decorative. Painted rocks are always unique and one-of-a-kind because of shape, texture, and paint technique.

Why not forego cookie cutter, machine-made garden decor and try some painted rocks in your garden this year?


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas and Patterns Can be Changed Easily to Create Unique Pieces

What I enjoy about rock painting is that one rock painting idea or pattern can create many unique painted rock objects by changing up the paint colors and a few design elements.

Recently, I came across a  Baby Bluebird of Happiness rock painting pattern and painted this baby bluebird.

Painted Rock Baby Bluebird of Happiness

Next, I hand painted two more baby bluebird rocks. By painting the birds with larger mouths and placing them in a basket, I now had a set of Hungry Baby Bluebirds of Happiness.

Painted Rocks - Hungry Baby Bluebirds of Happiness

I then painted another variation from the same rock painting pattern using the colors of robins, and placed them in a twig basket with moss.

Robins in a Basket Painted Rocks

Yet another variation of baby bird rocks was hand painted using shades of tan. I placed these painted baby bird rocks into a green basket.

Tan Hungry Birds Painted Rocks 

In the photo below, you can see how one rock painting pattern and idea produced several unique, painted rock sets by: 

• Using differently-shaped rocks
• Changing the paint colors   
• Varying the design for mouth shapes
• Adding interest with baskets. 

Painted Rocks - A Collection of Hungry Baby Birds

Baby bird rock painting ideas are endless thanks to a simple rock painting pattern, nature, and the inspiration that is all around me.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Painted Rock Animals & Critters

They say a picture is worth is a thousand words and you can now see many of the painted rocks I've completed since 2007 gathered together in one place online.

Photos of my painted rocks have been organized into 5 categories and today I'll highlight the photo set with the largest collection of hand-painted river rocks I've completed.

Painted Rock Animals & Critters showcases the following animals and critters I've hand-painted on rocks and stones:

Click here to see more of My Painted Rock Animals & Critters

• Wild animals - brown bear, polar bear, walrus, chimpanzee 
• Farm animals - sheep, cow, pigs
• Birds - owls, toucans, penguins, baby chick
• Pets - Siamese cat, black cat, calico kittens, stylized cat, cats on sticks, guinea pig
• Reptiles & Fish - alligator, snakes, lizard, turtle, fish
• Other Critters - mouse, lady bugs, caterpillar 

I was surprised to see the amount and variety of animal & critter river rocks I've painted since I've picked up the rock art hobby a few years ago. What a menagerie!


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

High Plains Critters

In addition to painting animals, pets, houses, and flowers on rocks, I've put together a website to feature and sell my creations.

The name of the site is, High Plains Critters, (http://www.high-plains-critters.com).

On the site, you'll see rocks painted as birds, cats, gnome homes, snakes, fruit, Halloween ghosts & pumpkins, and Christmas nativity sets.

Stop by for a visit and see the creative things that can be done by painting on rocks and stones.

Painted Rock Gnome Homes used as Garden Art Decor

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Healing Art

The cute critters that I’ve created from painting rocks and simple stones bring smiles to everyone who sees them, especially my mother and her visitors at the nursing home.

My Mom looks forward to receiving a small package in the mail containing a new critter. Whenever I paint a large piece (which is too heavy for my frail mother), I also paint a smaller one weighing a few ounces which can fit in Mom’s hand. She adds each animal, flower, pet, or house to her collection which is kept safe in her bedside drawer. She brings out her rock art gifts of animals, flowers, pets, and houses for visitors; they know to ask her about any new pieces she’s received.

The routine and boredom of nursing home life is broken by a simple rock that has been enlivened using artful painting techniques. Hopefully, the painted rocks and stones bring smiles to everyone who sees them and assures my mother of how much I care for her even though I live thousands of miles away.

Little Critters

Here's a sample of my early rock animal painting projects - a collection of little stone critters.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

The Joy of Giving

I've very recently discovered the hobby of rock painting and my home is now filled with rocks painted as butterflies, ladybugs, cats, kittens, penguins, frogs and snakes. As each rock is transformed into a critter with its own personality, I am tempted to keep it all to myself. But then I remember, "It is more blessed to give than receive."

My mother, who resides in a nursing home in Ohio, has received a butterfly and ladybug accompanied by the sentiment, "let's fly away from here." A frog is on the way to her and she's requested more butterflies.

My neighbor, who oohs and aahs over each new piece, has received a cat that she proudly displays on her entertainment center. We are walking buddies and she has helped me choose rocks for future projects.

My sister-in-law, who recently shared that she collects emperor penguins, has received a hand-painted penguin rock and was surprised and thrilled.

Thanks to Lin Wellford, who has shared the art of rock painting in her well-written and illustrated "how to" books, I am able to transform lowly Colorado river rocks into artwork that brightens the day of my family and friends.

What do I get out of sharing my High Plains Critters? The joy of being a blessing and brightening someone's day.