And so, the calendar has rolled over to 2023! Happy New Year to all Hive's creative souls!
For many — whether in a creative field, or not — the new year often marks a moment of inspiration where we take on new projects, or drive forward existing one with renewed energy.
About 25-30 hours of actual painting goes into creating a large stone like this!
Marking Our 10th "Formal" Anniversary!
January 7th actually marks the 10th anniversary of when I purchased the alchemystone.com domain, my wife and I having decided that my creative efforts — started 3-4 years previously — actually seemed like a good enough idea that it should be taken from a pure "periodic dabbling hobby" to an actual artform with a name.
I had actually hoped to get "alchemystoneS" but that was already taken by someone selling crystals and minerals... so we went a slightly different route.
Of course, the domain (with the S at the end) is now available, but in the hands of a so-called "domain squatter" who expects to sell it for $4,500! They are probably hoping some game developer will buy it... but there's no way a lowly artist is going to come up with $4,500!
MUCH More Than a Passing Fancy!
After 10 years of creating these stones "seriously," I feel pretty safe in saying that this is rather more than a "passing fancy;" more along the lines of my creative/artistic calling."
So this coming decade will be about a greater focus on the publicity and sales end of the equation... perhaps getting to a point I had hoped for when I started: Creating art successfully enough that it could count as a part-time profession that would help me into my old age.
In many ways, I also feel that the concentration and steady hand needed to paint Alchemy Stones will end up being beneficial in terms of both staying mentally and physically more sharp. And that's probably a good thing... I watched many of my aging relatives become people who just sat in chairs, reading books... and little else.
That's a LOT of Stones!
I also started keeping better (photographic) records of my creative work those 10 years ago, and there is now a considerable "archive" of photos, all of which are identified by their year of creation.
The ups and downs in terms of how many stones I painted during any given year is also a great indicator of the ebbs and flows of creativity... with the absolute low point coming in 2021, during the 2nd year of the pandemic.
All in all, more than 3,000 Alchemy Stones are now in circulation around the world, and I know I have sent them as far as Australia, Finland, The Netherlands, The UK and beyond. It's kind of fun to think about!
And now? We're going to start in on a new year, and hoping to finally get back to pre-pandemic both sales and creativity! In the meantime, I am very grateful for the past 10 years!
Thanks for stopping by and reading; Do leave me a comment if you feel so inspired — interaction and engagement are always welcome!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal
Alchemy Stones web site and blog
Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!
Thank you for supporting independent art!
2023.01.07 AS-TXT-137/105
Thanks for the support @qurator and @ewkaw, I appreciate it!
Those painted rocks are very nice and original, nice
Thank you for visiting, and for your kind words!