I like art, I like crafts and I have a weird fondness for a painted rock I found on the Wissahickon trail during the covid-19 lockdown. So, on a Sunday in mid-October, I found myself on my way to “Rock Painting for Holistic Wellness.”
The class was part of a holistic wellness convention, which took place in the large ballroom at the Drexelbrook Catering & Event Center in Drexel Hill. It featured dozens of vendors selling natural remedies, jewelry, food and supplements.
Held in a smaller conference room off the ballroom, my class began with a short spiel from Renee Paravati, a retired businesswoman who was the class instructor. She introduced herself and gave us a quick run-down of the painting process, providing us with rock painting kits, which included five paint colors, two paint brushes, a rock stand, a paint pen, an informational packet and two small rocks.
Paravati began the class with a group meditation, instructing us to hold the rocks. I picked them up and felt a cold shiver down my spine. They fit almost perfectly in my palms, and I instantly remembered how cold rocks are to the touch. Old memories of playing with rocks along streams came flooding back with this touch.
“I really resonate with the rocks,” Parvati said in our later interview.
Parvati explained she can feel their energies and visualize each rock’s painting before she begins. The meditation was intended to help the class feel this same connection.
The colors in our painting kits, which Parvati hand-picked, each represented a different emotion. Pink is compassion, green is healing, blue is peace, purple is spirituality and orange is confidence.
When the painting began, I reached first for the orange paint. I made a small circle in the middle of the rock and then listened to my heart to add the purple and pink. The paintbrush took over, and I was just along for the ride.
The supplies we were given weren’t the best. The rocks were pretty small, and the slippery surfaces didn’t hold the acrylic paint well. The rock stand was difficult to balance and seemed unnecessary, so I laid the rock flat on the table and steadied it with my left hand.
As we painted, it became clear that rock painting was not a solitary activity. One particularly outgoing woman in the class began sharing how she needed more blue, or peace, in her life. This got the conversations going.
I sat next to a young couple, Shaq Kareem and Crissy LeBlanc, who were on a date. LeBlanc described herself as creative and artistic. One woman pointed out that Kareem resembled Luther Vandross. They
were both first-time rock painters.
“Something I never thought in a million years I’d ever try,” Kareem said.
Parvati said she works with corporate employees, students of all ages and senior citizens. She tries to make her classes inclusive, calling it rock embellishing or decorating rather than rock painting to welcome those with limited hand mobility.
“Working with kids with autism, I’ve noticed how that really is very helpful for them too,” Paravati said.
A small bin of sequins made its way down the table, and I couldn’t resist. Everyone in the group had bedazzled their creations, and I wanted in. I chose light green and fuchsia pink, but there were a variety of options.
LeBlanc described the experience as “sitting still and indulging in the moment,” which I definitely felt, especially as the class progressed.
My second rock’s smooth surface inspired me to try something a little more challenging. I alternated blue and orange rings to the rock’s edge because that’s what felt right. Repeating this pattern put me into a rock reverie, and I began to drown out anything that wasn’t my rock or paintbrush.
I was quickly brought back to the moment, however, when Kareem began singing Luther Vandross’ “Take You Out.” His deep voice and our laughter filled the conference room. His short-lived performance was a hit.
The final step, sealing the rocks with Mod Podge, came with concluding thoughts from Paravati and my classmates. I chose not to share, but I couldn’t wait to bring my rocks home. They now sit on a coffee table next to my beloved painted rock from the Wissahickon trail, more markers of my own journey.
