Lace Mandala Rocks.

I've been back at it for a few weeks, painting lace rocks.

It's very meditative and calming to paint these guys, or maybe they're gals?

 I enjoy that all of them have the same elements, and yet come out very differently.

Kind of like us humans!

I start in the center painting a single circle, and then make even-ish petals from there.

Adding scallops, dots, lines tear drops, and little antenna shapes.

I keep circling around and around, and slowly I'm so focused on these lace mandalas

that the world melts away and it's just me and some lines.

My thoughts ease, the elves come out (you know, those super creative little characters

 that live inside you and are very happy to help you make some terrific art), 

and pretty soon I'm in an ecstatic state of mandala bliss.

Want to make some of your own? Collect some flat-ish round rocks,

buy some Daler-Rowney FW acrylic ink and a number 1 round brush, and GO TO TOWN! 

Wagon Wheel, Summer Swimming.

Looking for a good summer swimming hole?

I've got just the place.

Wagon Wheel on the Molalla River.

A great place to paint rocks.

Or just sit and watch the river.

Or float with the one's you love.

From Portland, take 205 South to 213.

Drive for 14 or so miles, until you see the second

golf course.  It's on your left.

Deep swimming hole and lot's of fun.

More Rock Painting.

I've been completely obsessed with Julia Rothman's book Farm Anatomy.

Last week it was sunny and I sat in the backyard and painted rocks from Falcon Cove.

All the while browsing Julia's gorgeous illustrations. 

Daler-Rowney in white is my preferred ink with a teeny tiny brush.

Hope to see some more sun this week in California!