|
Post by fernwood on Jun 5, 2020 14:08:45 GMT -5
I am involved with several painted rocks FB groups. I like the overall intent. Paint rocks for others to find. Many talented artists are joining in. Rocks to paint are becoming limited here. Saw someone post their sons rock collection on one group. I was too late to respond, as they had been promised to another. The collection contained many lapidary quality rocks. A few of what looked like artifacts. Beautiful crystals and fossils. The recipient was excited about having so many great rocks to paint. Another person received a few boxes of rocks from a friend in Alaska. OMG, they were beautiful. About half were lapidary quality. She dumped them in her front yard and said anyone could get some for painting. Unfortunately, all were gone when I was able to drive to her place, 3 days after the post. This hit home today when I was walking the streets of Amherst. Found the below rock. It is a fossil coral nodule with oolites, crystals and some agate type features. Large enough for some nice slices once I get my combo unit set up. I contacted a friend who is moderator of one of the rock painting groups. Let her know my concerns. Waiting to hear back. Here is the rock I found today. It is beautiful, minus the face that was painted on it.
|
|
oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,540
|
Post by oldschoolrocker on Jun 5, 2020 14:28:49 GMT -5
I dont see any harm in people painting lapidary quality rocks for others to find. TBH I would imagine it would only increase the fun for those involved to have chance to find unique stones and maybe attract newcomers who find a painted crystal or other neat rock.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,652
|
Post by Tommy on Jun 5, 2020 14:38:07 GMT -5
Beth I'm confused and don't really understand the point of your post. Are you saying that everyone who participates in the painted rock games should be more educated about how to avoid lapidary quality rocks? That sounds like a bit of a hopeless cause to me. To most people rocks are rocks.
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Jun 5, 2020 14:39:35 GMT -5
Most people in these groups are oblivious to lapidary quality rocks. I do not find many rocks, as I rarely go to the common places they are hid.
Imagine a spear head, painted with a cute face on it. Most people would just re hide or keep for their children to enjoy.
I may be strange, but to me, painting artifacts is very wrong.
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Jun 5, 2020 14:45:36 GMT -5
Beth I'm confused and don't really understand the point of your post. Are you saying that everyone who participates in the painted rock games should be more educated about how to avoid lapidary quality rocks? That sounds like a bit of a hopeless cause to me. To most people rocks are rocks. Yes, to most people, rocks are rocks. I am hope to educate some on recognizing the difference between a rock that could be painted and one that is an artifact or fossil. I have seen many awesome rocks that were painted. Some paint both sides of the rocks. Others do not. Saw one posted that was about a 2.5" Lake Superior Agate. Beautiful banding. One side as painted with "smile". The other had the name of the group, but no surface paint. I am not trying to educate people on agates or jaspers. Just the fossils and artifacts that I see being painted. Fortunately, have seen no pet wood being painted.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jun 5, 2020 15:35:29 GMT -5
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the face was an improvement on that rock.
I don't think it is right of you to try and dictate what people should paint. I'm sure the paint can be removed if need be. The more people who are turned onto rocks- all kinds of them- in this way, the better. Artifacts will make their rounds, too. Somewhere along the line, someone will appreciate what it is under the paint. And if no one does, at least it is admired WITH the paint.
But, what really bothers me is that just a few days ago you said you had Covid (again) and today you are out walking around your town. Isn't that irresponsible? If you are not actually sick, maybe you should update your Tears thread and let people know. If the point of your posts is to gather sympathy, I think you get it, but the polite thing to do would be to let people know you're ok. Just sayin'.
|
|
|
Post by MsAli on Jun 5, 2020 17:53:23 GMT -5
Sorry, but I would.never of thought that was a fossil. I would think that some paint thinner would take that right off
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Jun 6, 2020 2:52:08 GMT -5
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the face was an improvement on that rock.
I don't think it is right of you to try and dictate what people should paint. I'm sure the paint can be removed if need be. The more people who are turned onto rocks- all kinds of them- in this way, the better. Artifacts will make their rounds, too. Somewhere along the line, someone will appreciate what it is under the paint. And if no one does, at least it is admired WITH the paint.
But, what really bothers me is that just a few days ago you said you had Covid (again) and today you are out walking around your town. Isn't that irresponsible? If you are not actually sick, maybe you should update your Tears thread and let people know. If the point of your posts is to gather sympathy, I think you get it, but the polite thing to do would be to let people know you're ok. Just sayin'.
Just that see lapidary potential in so many of he rocks that are being painted. I went to an area by the river where there were no other people. Was wearing a mask, just in case. I will update other thread.
|
|
|
Post by toiv0 on Jun 6, 2020 4:47:22 GMT -5
I was thinking the same thing about the co vid. You describe the area as a common place where these can be found. If you are positive a face mask will help a little for the spread but you need to self quarenteen for the safety of others. It is very irresponsible of you. How about all the rocks you licked when you were out? I also wonder if its cool to cut up a rock some artist painted lapidary grade or not. The rock gods won't like it.
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Jun 14, 2020 8:03:45 GMT -5
The person who painted it was fine with me slicing it. She appreciated knowing what rocks to not paint.
I am seeing many other local posts of people going to MI and collecting beach rocks to paint. Some are from State lands. Some are from National Lakeshore areas. Some people are offering these to others to paint. One person gathered five, 5 gallon pails of rocks. I saw many Petoskey Stones in their posting. Also other fossils and agates. They liked the "cool" ones that showed some green, turtle shell type markings. OMG! They planned on painting some turtle features to the stones, such as a head and legs. I sent them a PM, that they probably had MI Greenstone. Not to paint it, please.
Many Lake Superior Grandfather stones are now showing up. Rock painters are wanting them to paint as baseballs, soccer balls, etc.
Many other fossils and agates.
Some on the rock painting web pages appreciate my knowledge. Others do not. All I can do is try to educate people on the special stones around the Great Lakes.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jun 14, 2020 9:18:09 GMT -5
Why can't they be "special stones" AND painted? Some people would argue that it is better to paint them than to cut them up.
|
|
victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,978
|
Post by victor1941 on Jun 14, 2020 11:15:28 GMT -5
I don't think there should be any objection to any stone being used as an art surface. Mankind has been using stone surfaces and stone shapes as art for thousands of years. In Austin, Texas, children and adults have been doing painted stone art contest city wide for several years and individual painted designs have been showing up in my neighborhood for several months as covid-19 allows more/parent time. Stones become "special" for what people want to use them for. I also enjoy seeing them when walking and the designs that are placed on them. Maybe rock art will spur a younger generation into future lapidary interest.
|
|
|
Post by knave on Jun 14, 2020 13:07:48 GMT -5
The nice thing either way, is, the stone will be paintless in 50 years or so, and it will still be a cool rock!
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Jun 15, 2020 8:57:22 GMT -5
The good thing is that I am spreading awareness. So much false info is being posted on the painted rocks web pages. This included that all land next to a lake, river, etc., is not private within 20' of the shore. This supposedly included National Waterways, State and National parks.
I posted rock gathering restrictions for some areas in MI and along Lake Superior after seeing that people were collecting and painting Petoskey Stones. One person gathered 5 pails of them and other rocks.
Sacred Grandfather Stones from Lake Superior were also being collected by the buckets and painted.
Shoreline rocks also help prevent erosion in some areas. Having someone take pails of them is not a good thing in many areas.
The rock painting web pages I am involved with have added some things to their rules/intros. They are recommending that people do not collect rocks to paint from State/National Parks and Waterways. That they do not go on private land to collect rocks without permission of the owner. That many rocks are available at retail outlets and from farmers fields. To learn about various rocks. That some should probably not be painted.
This has also spurred an interest for rock hounding by some. They want to know where to find agates, fossils, artifacts, etc., to find and keep. Not to paint. Maybe to tumble or display.
I am happy about the response.
Granted, some will still be illegally collecting rocks, fossils and artifacts to paint. But, I started an increased local awareness about the joy found in some rocks when they are left as is or polished.
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
|
Post by Fossilman on Jun 15, 2020 9:58:01 GMT -5
I've seen some things done to rocks and fossils that would make a person cringe! As said, it's their material to do what they want with it... I usually give an explanation to them, why I was vocal about it though.. Most just leave them (Material) as I seen them, but a few would let me cut and prepare the material for them...
|
|
lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
|
Post by lookatthat on Jun 15, 2020 11:05:23 GMT -5
Good luck, ferny! Some people will be interested to learn, others, well...
I have been trying to get the owners of a nearby historic property to stop putting tacks (over and over, every time they have a new notice)into a beautiful original door. They won't listen.
Here's the part that drives me nuts... it's a historical society building, owned by the historical society, and they, including the president of the society, have been the ones pushing the tacks into the property they have been charged with protecting. Argh!
|
|