THINGS TO DO
Stone’s secrets By Deborah Allard Dion
They start out naked and dirty, but are soon transformed by imagination and paint into mini works of art meant to inspire a simple smile.
A
nyone can become a member of Kindred Rocks (or KROCKS), a local group that embellishes rocks with kind words, inspirational messages, and images – all hand-painted with love and left for others to find as they go about their day. This global rock painting movement with home-grown chapters like KROCKS has become a mission of spreading kindness. A passion for its artists. And a respite from trying times. “I feel like a kindness warrior when I leave a rock behind for someone to find,” said KROCKS member Beth Donovan. “I hope to inspire anyone who is struggling. We have all been through so much this past year.” The premise of KROCKS is simple: rocks are painted and then “hidden,” often in plain sight. Kindness rocks turn up in parks, walking trails, nursing homes, hospitals, beaches, outside convenience stores and restaurants, and basically anywhere in the community. On the back of each rock,
10
members sign or label their work so finders can locate the artist and movement on Facebook. Donovan said members “get excited” when the finder posts their rock on Facebook. The finder can keep the rock or hide it for someone else to find.
after painting in another group. She said she loves “everything about it.” “The group started with sharing our creations with one another and quickly became us sharing our lives with one another,” Robitaille said. “We all encourage and support one another. It’s more than a
“ It’s more than a Facebook group, it’s a family where we are all trying to spread kindness one rock at a time” “My favorite part of hiding them is just waiting for the right moment or place that feels right with the affirmation on the rock,” said member Elizabeth Goulart Pacheco. While rocks are placed in the community, members mainly paint solely and then meet on the KROCKS Facebook page to share their creations, where they have found friendship and support. KROCKS founder Hope Robitaille started the Fall River-based group in August
February 2021 | The South Coast Insider
Facebook group, it’s a family where we are all trying to spread kindness one rock at a time.”
Natural canvas
Many of the members have no artsy background, and often start by trying their hand with simple drawings and designs. “We are our own worst critics,” Robitaille said. “I often hear people say that they are not an artist or they feel intimidated by some
of the rocks they’ve seen online. I always encourage those individuals to let their creativity run wild and to post a pic and see for themselves the positive feedback they’ll receive.” Robitaille enjoys painting movie and cartoon characters on her rocks. Pacheco gravitates toward nature and beach themed images. “My happy places,” she said. Donovan’s favorite theme is mandalas, and she’s painted hundreds of intricate designs since the pandemic began nearly a year ago. Each design can take 30 to 90 minutes to complete. More intricate patterns may take her a day or two. “I paint every night after my three-year-old goes to bed,” Donovan said. She said she is “not an artist,” but simply practiced in her chosen theme. “If I can do it anyone can.” She said her New Year’s resolution is to improve her drawing skills by watching online tutorials. “I love the symbolism: everything is connected,”
