Art of Rock Painting Class to be Held
Learn How to Turn River Rocks into 'Rocks of Art'

If you've ever been interested in painting, but haven't tried because it looked difficult and expensive, you may want to try rock painting. It's not hieroglyphics, it's fun and inexpensive!

Artist Lin Wellford, author of eight craft books, will teach a rock painting class Saturday, July 29, 2-3:30 p.m. at the Ronald J. Norick, Downtown Library.

Wellford's latest book, Rock Painting Fun for Everyon e!, was published this year.

"She's amazing," said Downtown librarian Darlene Browers, "The animals she paints onto rocks are incredibly realistic." One of her rock paintings features a curled up fawn. The body of the fawn covers the top surface of a smooth river rock. The rounded contour of the rock adds to the three-dimensional effect the artist has given the fawn's painting.

"Painted rocks are ready to show off as soon as the paint has dried," says Wellford in the introduction of Rock Painting Fun for Everyon e! Using acrylic paint on her rocks, Wellford admits her art form is unique. But, "rocks aren't intimidating the way more traditional art materials can be," explained the artist/author. One of her joys is to hear people say they never knew they had any artistic talent until they painted their first rock.

This is a less expensive way of getting in touch with your art side. Your finished rock, whether it's a flower, animal or butterfly, is immediately useable as a doorstop, paperweight or gift. And the painted rock can also be used to decorate your mantle, bookshelf, desk or windowsill said Browers.

Wellford has appeared on HGTV, MTV2 and Lifetime television and has been featured in several magazines including Birds & Blooms , National Geographic's World , Artist Magazine , Family Circle Home Crafts and Painting Magazine.

"The class is free and open to adults and their children ages five and older," said Browers.

All supplies will be provided, but pre-registration is required by calling 606-3879.

Wellford will also be teaching a class on publishing non-fiction, Thursday, July 27, 7 to 8 p.m. at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library.

The library is located at 300 Park Avenue .

The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County includes 12 libraries and five extension libraries. Libraries include Belle Isle, Capitol Hill, Ralph Ellison, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and Southern Oaks in Oklahoma City, as well as Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Midwest City, Village and Warr Acres. Extensions are located in the communities of Harrah, Jones, Luther and Nicoma Park and include Wright Library in Oklahoma City . You can also reach us at www.metrolibrary.org.