As promised, new rock work has been added below. It has been years, I know, but I think the time away has been good and shows in even better work. My studio is now almost clear of stones waiting for further inspections. Many have returned to the gardens as rejects.
And now, back to the beginning, for those not familiar with my work...and welcome!
Mother Nature and I have worked together to create a synchronized work of art...a three dimensional/ sculptural painting. The natural formation of the stone inspired the painting you see. Each piece is a "one of a kind". All current work is acrylic on stone.
Being three dimemsional, they are best viewed in person. This way you can see the detail in the painting and how the rock's own natural formation dictated the picture I placed there for you to see.
But here we are on the net. So, in appreciation of your download time, I have created "thumbnail" pictures of each piece for you to view. If a piece entices you, you may then click on it to view it in more detail and at different angles. Also you will find the rock's dimensions there. Each piece is painted, titled and signed by myself...Ginia A.D. (Ginia A. Davis).
The History Page has been updated with statistics to help you understand the rarity of certain pieces.
a note...my rock work, for lack of a better category, has been placed under Folk Art on some art sites. Folk Art is learned at "someone's knee"...passed down from generation to generation. Since I did not learn this from anyone else, it is clearly not Folk Art. As far as I can tell from my research, I am the first to do rocks in this manner or if someone else has done this before 1973, I do not know about them. My work may also be found under the Sculpture category on some sites. Nature sculpted these, I did not. Nor did I add to Nature's Sculpture, except for paint.
The nearest category that I can find that my rock work may fit into is Visionary Art. I am self taught (in all aspects of my artwork). It is my "vision"/inspiration in seeing these images in the Natural Formation of the Stone.
If you can think of a category under which my rock work would fit (or have anything to say), I would enjoy hearing from you. contact me
To Heath Hix: Please return this piece to its rightful owner Questions and comments ...contact me
Have you heard of "Aritsts in Cellophane" (AIC)? I am now a participating member. I 've made clay (actually sculpy) sculptures. So if you see this label on one of the "Art-O-Mat" machines, it is my label. And here is one sample of the work I've done to fit into one of those small box. (Look up artomat.org sometime...it's quite and interesting story.)
NOW MORE ON ROCK WORK
WHEN COLLECTING AND WORKING MY ROCK PIECES...I have to be in the correct mind set...receptive. In the woods, streams, where ever, I choose pieces and reject many more. A piece has to display well as a sculpture all on it's own. Not too rough and not too smooth, the color, for best results, must be good.
Initially, I look for images to suit the rock's best sculptural angle. But remember, at this point, the stones are dirty. Despite the rubbing off of dirt, the piece and its distinct patterns change with proper cleaning...whole images can appear or disappear. Hopefully, after cleaning, though changed, the idea still lives or a new one born.
Here starts the tricky part. To bring the image alive requires study...and an open mind to what and how, exactly, the image "wishes" to be portrayed. This comes from careful study of the rock's specific shape and structure.
As its specific character starts to come alive the title of the piece starts to come into play. I scribble notes on the title as a piece progresses.
These pieces are abstract by Nature. The images, more often than not, will not be depicted as an artist (myself included) might paint them on a canvas, because they are not preconcieved. My notions often change while working on a piece because something new will reveal itself within the stone's structure and how it relates to what I am painting. Each piece's personality is born through a journey.
It is my hope that you enjoy viewing these and that they inspire your own imaginative journey.
If you are not satisfied with your piece once you have received it, then return it safely and I will refund your money, no questions asked.
Please remember that these stone paintings are, indeed, paintings and should be treated as such for longevity. These pieces may be placed outside seasonably, under shelter, and with no extreme temperature changes. Remember that these are rocks as well, so please place them securely for their safety and yours. Everything is breakable, if not properly displayed.
There is one piece which I almost rejected. Then I saw it in just the right light and just the right frame of mind.
It is fashioned after the works of Klimt.
And now I have two pieces reminiscent of master artists (the other being Picasso).
I have yet to find another, oh so rare, full figure which incorporates the entire stone.
two dimensional work.
"Phalenopsis"...Oil on board...completed 2006.
two dimensional work.
"Elizebeth Breeden"...Acrylic on muslin...completed June 2004. I painted this from a photo taken by a friend of the family. Of course, I edited the original for this image. For a closer look... click on the picture. This piece now resides in the Private Collection "Biscuit Run"
two dimensional work.
"Lucy Byrd's Bird"...Acrylic on muslin...completed August 2002. I painted this from a photo I took 12 years ago. For a closer look and the story behind the painting... click on the picture.
two dimensional work.
"David"...Acrylic on muslin...completed March 2005.
two dimensional work.
"Forell on Rosaline"...Acrylic on canvas...completed November 2005.
two dimensional work.
"Languishing in Luxury"...Acrylic on muslin...completed November 2003. For a closer look and the story behind the painting... click on the picture.
two dimensional work.
"Cabin's Zinnias"...Acrylic on canvas...completed January 2004. For a closer look and the story behind the painting... click on the picture.
two dimensional work.
"Brisk Salutations"...Acrylic on canvas...completed December 2003. For a closer look and the story behind the painting... click on the picture.
two dimensional work.
"Big Mother"...Acrylic on massonite...completed April 2003. I painted this from an old family photo belonging to a neighbor and dear friend. Originally, I named it "The Twins", my neighbor being the twin on the right. I thought that the older woman they were with was their Grandmother. The correct story is that this was their Great-Grandmother...whom they all refered to as Big Mother...too great a name to pass up for the title of this piece. For more information and a closer look...click on the picture.
two dimensional work.
"Michael"...Acrylic on canvas paper...completed May 2003 for Michael's birthday. I painted this from a photo I took of him standing with a friend, whose name is also Michael. I had very little time to complete this small painting, so did not paint them both.
two dimensional work.
"Travis"...Acrylic on canvas board...completed February 2003. I painted this from a digital photo I took at my son's and wonderful new daughter's wedding celebration. ... click on the picture.
two dimensional work.
"Elizabeth"...Acrylic on canvas board...completed November 2003. I painted this from a photo I took at a birthday celebration the summer before. The party went on into the evening. I took this picture outside, where the kids were playing with lightening bugs. The house lights were bright enough for illumination. ... click on the picture.
two dimensional work.
"Friend"...Acrylic on muslin...completed March 2005. I painted this from a photo I took at a dinner party.
two dimensional work.
"AResting Beauty"...a play on words...a resting beauty/ arresting beauty...I came downstairs to spend time with my daughter and found her sleeping. Quietly, I ran for my camera. This painting evolved after recomposing reality on my own and from the help of some on-line artist friends. It is always good to have some fresh talented eyes review and critique one's work. For a larger look, click on the picture.
two dimensional work.
"My Kaitlyn"...Kaitlyn was wearing her pretty new summer dress...I thought it looked really wonderful on her and was inspired to take some pictures of her. While in the "photo shoot", how she looked in the dress, became secondary. What emerged was a photo of her sweet self...I had to paint her and here it is.
two dimensional work.
"Stage Presents"...Another painting of my Mother, this one completed September of 2003. She is about 19 or 20 years of age in this picture done from a photo originally taken by her father, my grandfather. Marcelia, my mother, is an opera singer and has acted on many a community stage. The title is a play on words, not a misspelling...for all the recitals and plays she has been in...for her stage presence and for the presents she has given her listeners and viewers. She has always had this presence...beautiful and sure.
two dimensional work.
"Mageau"...is one of my son's best friends and is a fine fellow. His name is Joe Mageau, but we call him Mageau. He loves to fish and is a very talented rap singer,amoung other things. Right now he is "out there" fighting terrorism with the airforce. All those pilots depend on his good work for a well working machine. Here he is smoking, but, I am informed that one is no longer allowed to smoke while in the US services. We'll see if it "takes"...maybe that is what I need to do to quit (ha!). Click on the picture to get larger views...and more of the story...
two dimensional work.
"Frank"...This is my grandfather...original picture taken in 1957...I have "reframed" it's boarders to suit my goals for the finished piece and it's perspective. He is also acrylic on muslin.
two dimensional work.
"Anna Louise Fisher Foster"...This is my Mother's Father's Mother...or, my Great Grandmother standing in the the back yard of her Washington D.C. home. This woman was young during the civil war...lived through the depression and WWII...WOW...for close-ups click on her picture...
two dimensional work.
"Sewing"...This is my Mother's Father's Mother...or, my Great Grandmother...the same woman in the previous painting, "Anna Louise Fisher Foster". I am so lucky that her son, my Grandfather, took so many great pictures of his family.
two dimensional work.
"Seasons"...This is my Mother's Father's Mother...or, my Great Grandmother...the same woman in the previous paintings, "Anna Louise Fisher Foster" and "Sewing". With her is her husband and, yes, my Great Great Grandfather, Wise Bouregard Foster. The original photo was, of course, taken by their son.
two dimensional work.
"Ralph, Sid and the Cigar"...Ralph is my Father on the right lighting Sid's cigar. The original picture was taken in the 1940's, sometime after my Father returned from the Normandy Beach Invasion. He was the second wave in onto the Beach. Such a nice sceen taken after such a horrible experience. The cigar was probably a very nice one, as my Grandfather loved good cigars. The smell of a good cigar always reminds me of him.
two dimensional work.
"Make a Face"...While eating in a diner, my 6 year old grandson, armed with a digital camera, ordered Stacey, "Make a Face!"...Stacey complied. I liked the picture so much, I did a painting of it.
two dimensional work.
"Zach"...While eating in a diner, my 6 year old grandson, armed with a digital camera, ordered Stacey, "Make a Face!"...Stacey complied. I liked the picture so much, I did a painting of it. And, when the camera was turned to him with the same order, this is the responce Zach had.
two dimensional work.
"Katie"...This is my first commissioned portrait. Someone who has seen my other works in person, along with their reference photos, commissioned me to do this portrait of her 3 year old granddaughter. After a few small adjustments, she liked it and baught it... This portrait will reside in Virginia for a while and then will travel to Alabama where Katie's parents live. Click on the picture to see and learn more... (Sold)
"Crossed Nude"...This little lady sits with crossed arms and legs. Her form and expression have a distinctive style all her own. She sits on her stand as if it were a pillow. This piece weighs about 8 ounces...$150.
"Old Man with Cane"...This full bearded old man, walking hunched over holding his cane, was evident the first moment I picked him up. I particularly like the sour look he is giving the viewer. He almost makes Full Figure status, except the image is lacking his left arm. This piece weighs a bit over 8 ounces... (Sold)
"Inner Spaces"...This is an abstract psychological piece. For more views and further explaination click on the picture. This piece weighs 2 1/2 pounds...$200.
"Veni, Vidi, Vici"...Latin for "I came, I saw, I conquered". I chose this identifiable phrase to suit his time period and his stance...for further commentary and his dimensions, click on his picture...This piece weighs about 15 pounds...this piece is no longer for sale, as I am proud to donate him to our local PBS television station's "Impressions Fine Arts Auction", in support of their excellent programming.
"Crone"...found and completed in June 2001, this piece was almost perfectly sculpted by Mother Nature herself. The painting incorporates the Entire Stone. "Crone" has a medieval feel to her imagery, particularly in the style of her headdress. She weighs almost one half pound...no longer available...
"Charolais in Virginia"...Charolais is a type of French Cattle, cream to white in color. This one is in Virginia, so colored with Virginia Clay. She is a Full Figure which covers the Entire Stone...very rare. She weighs about two and one half pounds...$6,000...Click on the picture for more views and information. This piece is extremely exceptional...its abstract form relates so well to the real form of a cow...priceless icon piece...private collection.
"Blondie"...a very stylish three quarter length nude in reclined pose...very few nudes have been found since 1973. weighs 2 & 3/4 lbs....$300.
"Pointin' Puppy, Poppies n' cross-legged Person"...A fun fanciful piece...and title. It's design popped right out when I first saw this stone...weighs about 21 lbs...two full figures in one larger than usual piece...$5,ooo
"Stepping Out"...Done in 2000...all full of fun, fancy character...she displays without a prop or stand. If her toe is pushed down gently, she will naturally rock...adding to her festive nature...This piece inspires fun...@1/2 lb. $120.
"Mighty Might"...Done in 2002, This is another small guy, but large with attitude and expression...flexing his muscles. The design uses the Entire Stone. He displays with a stand. His weight is about 4 ounces.... and now (Sold)
"Daydream"...Done in 2002, This is an abstracted visual expression of a daydream. His weight is about 30 pounds...Private Collection "Biscuit Run"
"The Offering"...Done in 2000, this piece displays with the help of a stand and is painted on all sides, though the front is the main focus. A robed man with long auburn hair and beard, presenting a jeweled box. The Offering weighs about 3lbs. This piece is part of my private collection.
"Ancient Stone Warrior"...one of the last pieces to be painted in 1999, Ancient Stone Warrior is painted on all sides and displays with a stand. He is an old worn statue of a warrior with a shield...@5 lbs. $1,500.
"Picassoesk Chair with Hassock"...This is the first piece done in the year 2000. When I first saw this overstuffed chair with it's fringed hassock, I immediately thought of Picasso's work. All the parts are there, just in a skewed way. It weighs 3 and 3/4 pounds. Only piece of furniture found since 1973, and now part of my private collection.
"The Dance From Darkness into the Light"...This is a detail picture of The Dance. This full figure displays with the help of a prop and is painted mostly on the top and front of the stone. I wish you could see better the iridescence in the painting which poetically depicts the darkness and the light...weighing in at 14 3/4 lbs. $800.
"Traveling the Gorge"...Done in 2000. This is a miniature full figure which displays with a stand... (Sold)
"Hmmm"...is the second to the last rock painted in 1999. Hmmm is painted on all sides and displays with a stand. He/She, though the popular consensus prefers "he",is, to date, the largest head (and one of the largest rocks in general) I've painted up to this year 2007. His/Her mouth position indicated to me what the title would be. weight is 33lbs. $2,000.
"Lepus Erectus"...This is obviously a partial picture of this piece. Lepus is the Hare family, Erectus refers to it's verticle nature in this instance. This stone was found on vacation in Skaneateles, New York. It is painted on all sides, displays with a stand, and is...a full figure piece! Completed in 2000, he weighs in at 1 and 3/4 pounds. Private Collection...very few full figures which incorporate the entire stone into the design, since 1973.
"Lucky Charm"...Done in 1999, this fantasy piece displays with the help of a carefully crafted stand so as to not interfere with the viewing of it's full figure painted on all sides. Finding a full figure in a rock is a rare thing. This piece should be viewed in person to see all its detail...one of my favorites...and now, part of my Private Collection. (about 2.25 Lbs)...since 1973 there have been only 6 full figure pieces which incorporate the entire stone in the design.
"Nature Boy"...Finished in 1998, this piece was actually started in 1996, but sat on my table wondering exactly how it would be done. It is painted on all sides, displays on it's own, is a full figure...rare to find in the natural formation of a rock...Along with other pictures on the second page, is the suprise fantasy creature painted on the back side... (about 28 Lbs.)
"Sphinx Meets Alice's Looking Glass"...Done in 1998, this fantasy piece is a wonderfully detailed full figure piece, painted on all sides and displays without a stand. Another favorite of mine. (about 7 Lbs.)...private collection
"Boxed In"...Done in 2001, the title explains this woman's feelings. Her face expresses these feelings. She is very near Full Figure depicted on the front top and sides of the stone. Her right arm is not in view. She weighs 1/4-1/2 pound... (Sold)
"Man-Dog"...Done in 2001, this piece displays with a stand. He is a Full Figure piece, using the entire stone in it's design...a rare find. His design is neat and compact. His face has true character and his stance is male all the way...1/2-3/4 pounds...private collection
"Graffiti Nude"...Done in 2002, this piece displays with one prop. On the one side is the nude. On the other side is the pictoral graffiti. Click on the picture to see a larger view of this side, see the other side and read more about this piece. 60 pounds...Private Collection.
"Graffiti One"...Done in 2002, this piece displays with one prop. First Graffiti piece done with the intension that the graffiti be the main attraction. Click on the picture...on the second page you find its demensions, more pictures and a little more information. There, perhaps you will also be able to see how two pairs of faces share an eye...How one man's chin is another's arm and how his neck is the other's body. 8 pounds... (Sold)
"Reading Over Her Shoulder"...Done in 2002, this piece displays with a stand. This is an extraordinary piece. With one Intimated Full Figure (wearing a dress) and one other very near Full Figure. The painting incorporates the Entire Stone. It has a Victorian nuance. Almost all aspects of this piece are truely in the stone. Click on the picture for more views. This piece wieghs about one and one quarter pounds... $150.
"Roxie n' Pooch"...Done in 2002, this piece displays without a prop or stand. Pictured is a detail. This is an extraordinary piece, with two Full Figures... Click on the picture for full views. This piece wieghs about two pounds... Private Collection "Biscuit Run"
"Little Head Series #7"...Done in 2002, this piece displays without a prop or stand. The painting incorporates the entire stone. I have found little heads while searching for stones. I have started numbering them, and to some, I have also given names. This piece is now part of my private collection.
"Little Head Series/ Wall Mount #1"... This piece has a backing which displays on the wall (a new idea I just came up with). Since the painting is not on the back, this is a perfect way to display at eye level. Luckily, I have an old press to flatten the back evenly. There is an angled hole ready to recieve a small nail with a rounded head...$25.
"Cat Walk"...This piece is definitely on the humorous/absurd side of my rock work, which are all abstractions of some sort of reality. She is painted mostly on the front, top and sides and displays with her stand. I feature her walking with an attiitude as if on a run way... (Sold)
"Dancer"...Painted on the front, top and sides and displays with her stand. What can I say, I fell in love with this little dancer, the moment I saw her...sweet, dramatically expressive and dressed for the occasion...$300.
"Uncertain"...Done in 2004. Painted on the front, top and sides and displays with her stand. Uncertain and pondering is the feeling I got from this formation. The natural color of the stone played a major role in this piece's coloring... $40.
"DAZE"...Done in 2004. Painted on the front, top and sides and displays with his stand. The natural color of the stone played a major role in this piece's coloring. He has a distinct primitive and classic feeling, I think. "DAZE" for his expression and for "days" gone by...private collection.
"MAZEE"...Done in 2004. Painted on the front, top and sides and displays with her stand. The natural color of the stone played a major role in this piece's coloring. "MAZEE" for a "she-name" and for her dress...a maze of pictures.
Found while visiting dear friends in New Paltz, New York, this piece will be traveling back home...
"Klimt"...Done in 2004. This was fashioned after Klimt, as it is his works I thought of the moment this piece revealed itself to me. Since this piece is painted on the front, top and sides, I have attached it to a wall mount piece which is also painted...continuing the theme. Second piece fashioned after a master painter...private collection.
"Bundled"...I contemplated doing more to this piece...sometimes less is more...expressive ...$35.
"Spirit Guide"...Done in 2006. This piece sat unfinished for quite a while. Then, out of the blue, the finishing touches came to me as if they should have been there all along. (Sold)
Artist Statement and History
....if you're interested, and a glimpse of "shy" me. Just added recently are statistics to show you the rarity of certain stone paintings.
Purchase....
....includes shipping, which depends on the weight of the piece, my zip code (22923), and your zip code (or location). To calculate shipping costs you can either visit the Priority Mail website of your local post office or write me and I will calculate the costs for you. If you are not in the US, we can make other appropriate arrangements.
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