Painting on canvas is not the only way to create a stunning work of art. Based in British Columbia, Elspeth McLean channels her love of nature and mandalas into exquisite rock paintings.
With a background in painting and art therapy, the Australian-Canadian artist was first inspired to paint stones after visiting a beach in New Zealand in 2013. “While there, I found a few beautifully round stones. They intrigued me, and an idea began to flourish. The mini mandala paintings I held in one hand and the round stones in the other merged together in my mind and inspired me to create something new—using a piece of the Earth—these round stones as a new kind of canvas.”
Aside from the bold dotted designs that covered every inch of the stones, the other noticeable aspect of these works is their kaleidoscopic colors. While some resemble entire rainbows, others possess more monochromatic palettes in red, blue, green, and so on. These variations are meant to echo the beauty found in nature.
If you love those stones, you can purchase original stones, prints, and more from McLean’s online store. Or, you can simply follow her Instagram page to keep up to date with her latest projects or get some inspiration during your own rock paintings.
