Artists of the local art club Art by the Sea were entertained by members of the Facebook group ‘Exploring South Coast – KZN Rocks’ during a fun morning session at the Margate Art Museum.
Deseré Bouillon, founder of the group, is a keen adventurer at heart and in her element when she ventures out in nature.
She felt the need to share the beauty of the South Coast with all locals and visitors and at one of her excursions she saw a beautiful small rock lying in isolation on a bigger rock.
This immediately triggered the idea in her mind to spread kindness and goodwill via rocks and pebbles.
She did some research on the internet and to her surprise discovered that leaving decorated rocks in public spots for anyone to find and enjoy, is actually common practice all around the world. She linked up with such a group of rock enthusiasts in the Cape – and subsequently ‘Exploring South Coast – KZN Rocks’ was born.
Rock and art enthusiasts, as well as hikers and nature lovers at the South Coast, teamed up with Deseré and started painting rocks and pebbles, some with serious artworks, others with fun cartoon characters, more with encouraging and inspiring messages, and some just covered with splashes of colour.
These rocks are then left in public places.
Below each rock there is a sticker that mentions the Facebook group ‘Exploring South Coast – KZN Rocks’ and encourages the finder to post a photograph of him/her and the rock on the Facebook page – and then take the rock home to enjoy, or to re-hide it for someone else to find.
Heartwarming stories of persons finding these rocks abound, like the one of the man who, at an emotional low period in his life, found a rock with an encouraging message, and then decided to re-hide it to also bring some comfort to someone else.
Or the little boy on holiday who found a multicoloured rock and then grew so attached to it that he took it everywhere with him, the whole holiday.
For the artists of Art by the Sea it was such a motivational and fun experience; to realise that they can use their artistic skills to help spread kindness, good cheer and positivity in their immediate community.
Any artist, be it beginner or seasoned artist, interested in joining the club at its weekly Tuesday sessions, can contact Johann du Toit on WhatsApp on 072 6037517.
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