Kindness ROCKS, both literally and figuratively, for people in-the-know. 'Keep or hide; you decide!' is the approach of a volunteer program geared to spread kindness to strangers. Rock painting is a fun outlet and satisfying form of self-care, as well as a way to launch kindness into the world. What should associated rocks convey? "The perfect message to paint is the message you need yourself," recommend rock art coaches.
Some people use paint pens to achieve detail and precision on rocks, others create masterpieces with thin brushes and acrylic paints. Acrylic paints dry quickly, and after a few minutes, a new coat can be applied over the previous one.
While the initiative of decorating and sharing inspiring rocks started on a national basis via The Kindness Rocks Project, there is a local, 'Frisco Texas Rocks' online group via the Facebook platform, whose purpose of its approximately 1,470 members is to spread happiness and to inspire others to do the same. The local group is affiliated with the national one.
After decorating a rock, participants label it with 'Facebook or FB @FriscoTexasROCKS' to help others find the group's page, post pictures and info about the painted rocks. If there is room on a rock, painters add #thekindnessrocksproject; or perhaps place the hashtag on the back of it.
In general, when finding such rocks, there are at least two options: Unless the rock found has a specific traveling mission written on it, it's the finder's to keep or rehide. It's always a gift, either way.
"Posting a picture of your find on our group page does pass that smile back and encourages the artist to keep painting but it's not required," states the co-administrators of the Frisco group. "Our sole purpose is to spread some happiness. We hope the rocks you find brighten your day and inspire you to pass along random acts of kindness."
The rock kindness trend originated in the United States, and especially spread to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Haiti. The Kindness Rocks Project is often credited to Megan Murphy during 2015. She reportedly wrote: 'You've got this' on a rock and left it on a beach on Cape Cod. After a friend found it, she started leaving more rocks with inspirational messages behind.
Alice Brock, a Cape Cod resident who had been painting rock art since the 1960s, claimed credit for helping spread the phenomenon worldwide by sending painted rocks to her friends and family in New York City and Europe.
Materials Needed:
- Rocks, medium sized beach stones
- Pencil
- Spray primer, if preferred, from hardware stores or online sources
- Paint Pens in assorted colors (purple, light green, dark green, brown, purple, pink, white, black)
- Acrylic paints
- Brushes
- Water-based glue product for attaching accessories
- Sealer: deco art satin product for glossy finish
A Few Tips:
- Wash rocks and let them dry completely before painting.
- Protect work surfaces with a sheet of newspaper or parchment paper.
- Allow paints to fully dry between steps and when changing to a new color.
- Repeat each step as needed for additional coverage.
Remember: ONE ROCK-DERIVED MESSAGE AT JUST THE RIGHT MOMENT CAN CHANGE SOMEONE'S ENTIRE DAY, OUTLOOK, LIFE!
Visit TheKindnessRocksProject.com for more details regarding the origin of this initiative, inspiration and suggestions regarding rock art. International Drop a Rock Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on July 3, in which people are encouraged to leave a painted rock in a public space.
