A rock story, a love story, a thank you

(Painted rocks lined up along the pathway in Stitt Park Stittsville. Photos: Janice Blain.)

I love rocks and have been collecting them from far and wide throughout my adult life, writing on the back when and where I found them. A treasure trove to look back on over the years. I love the shapes, textures, colours and the memories contained in nature’s art.

Yesterday I discovered a new love of rocks, rocks of a different kind, painted rocks, children’s art. I had heard about them from a friend who had seen them during her walks in Stittsville, but I hadn’t seen any for myself, until yesterday. By chance, I changed my walking route and coming through Stitt Park I noticed some coloured rocks placed in trees. Then, as I left the park, I discovered more and stopped to take a closer look.

A lone rock near the Poole Creek bridge in Stittsville

Others in an array of bright colours, offered inspirational messages in Stittsville.

As I continued my walk in the pouring rain I found more treasures, turning a dreary day into a mood lifting experience. Obviously done by children of all ages and perhaps some adults, they certainly lifted my spirits.

Back home, I looked for information on my new discovery and found an article from 2018 in Stittsville Central about the Stittsville/Kanata Rock Project which has its own Facebook page. By joining this Facebook group  I found pictures of rocks painted by both, children and adults. I learned about the sharing of rock messages, rock art tributes to our front line workers and rock art scavenger hunts.

Obviously, since the arrival of COVID-19, the rock messages have taken on new significance and painting rocks has gained the renewed interest of children. Home from school, they paint them, hide them and search for them. Some rocks are to be admired but left for others to admire, other rocks are to be shared and scavenger hunts have become a favourite pastime.

For more information check out the Stittsville/Kanata Rock Project Facebook page or this article and video from CTV News:  https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/a-stittsville-fox-inspires-a-neighbourhood-scavenger-hunt-1.4915960#_gus&_gucid=&_gup=Facebook&_gsc=mFX4RDP.

Wendy Parker gained notoriety after painting Alex Fox rocks, then placing them throughout Stittsville, starting the recent Stittsville fox hunting craze. Finding an AlexFoxStone would be a real thrill, as was the discovery of a garden on Jonathan Pack Street, decorated with these incredible rocks — and more.

Painted rocks discovered in a garden on Jonathan Pack in Stittsville.

I have no idea who the creative person is behind this rock garden and I hesitated to go to the door, but if you know anything about the artist or the story behind these stones, please let us know with a comment. They are truly eye catching and deserve recognition.

However, it was the enthusiasm and creative talents of children that originally caught my attention and inspired me to write this. I loved the rocks, the fun I had finding them and I will definitely be walking different paths in the future in the hope of finding more rocks to admire, inspire and photograph.

Found on a Main Street wall in Stittsville.

Found on Orville Street in Stittsville.

These rocks are beautiful and their messages meaningful, much to the delight of many people. I know they bring a big smile to my face and joy to my heart during these difficult times. THANK YOU! to all the artists young and old, and especially the children who share their wonderful rocks with passers by.

Happy rock hunting everyone!