It's a trend that blends Picasso, Pokemon Go and the Easter Bunny, sprinkling happiness and art throughout the community in unexpected places. However, the best pieces just might be pretty hard to find.
People all over are painting rocks in a public art project to encourage others, brighten their day and to simply bring some joy to the world. Some of the rocks are painted like alligators, watermelon, strawberries, mini campers, Frankenstein, Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Others depict caves, miniature doorways, fruit, animals, cars and sports team logos.
The art may be random, but they are all connected through Facebook rock groups. Artists paint the name of the specific rock group to which they belong on the bottom of the rock. When it is found, that person takes a picture of it, uploads it to that particular group, then rehomes the rock if they wish. Some people choose to keep the rocks, and in some groups, they are known as "rock bandits." Other groups welcome people to keep the rocks if they wish, to carry a twinkle of happiness in their purse or pocket.
Those involved with the area's various rock groups-which include Atlanta TX 903 Rocks, Genoa Rocks, Texarkana Rocks Texas Official Group, TXKPRH (Texarkana Painted Rock Hunt) and more-say it's brought them joy and peace, along with the ability to share inspirational messages with strangers. Others say it's brought their families together to create the rocks and put them out in the community as random acts of kindness. The majority of those in the groups came across the painted rocks by accident. Many say that first rock gave them the fever to become more involved and create their own.
Clarissa Lott, who's a member of the Texarkana Rocks group, said that's how she began, by finding a rock and not quite knowing what to do. She said her mother found the page, and at that point, she "fell in love" with the idea.
"I love art and the rocks are an amazing way to show your art off whether it's just putting polka dots on them or painting an amazing picture," she wrote in an email. She's painted several and given them away to people who can't get out and look for them. "For me, it's about seeing the smiles on people's faces and the heart warming feeling knowing that such a small object can mean so much to someone. There is so much hate and violence in the world and for a rock to bring so much joy to a child or an adult is awesome. Plus it's a great way to spend time with friends and family. I hope that this movement travels all over the place. The Bible says 'faith as small as a mustard seed' is all it takes."
Amber Pond created the Atlanta group after she and her sons found a rock in July on the beach in Panama City Beach, Fla. They then found a second one in Hot Springs, Ark. At that point, her boys urged her to bring the joy and fun to the Atlanta area. She says the effusive response was completely unexpected and that both adults and children are scouring downtown Atlanta looking for the small works of art.
"I feel this has been a blessing to the community to get everyone out and about enjoying life and meeting others who most likely would have never spoken had there not been something as simple as a paint rock placed downtown Atlanta," she wrote in an email. "I love seeing everyone's creations and how people express themselves through a painted rock. All I want is to spread kindness in our community and I do believe we are off to a great start at doing that!"
Possibly her most famous creation, the "Andy the Alligator" rock, has made many friends, young and old, in the Atlanta area. It's a rather large rock, painted green and with a toothy smile. Andy's underside reads "When found take a pic post to AtlantaTX 903 Rocks and relocate somewhere in downtown Atlanta."
Rock fever hit Genoa this past summer, as well, with Genoa School District's Art Teacher Linzi Johnson starting a page for the community. She's created several rocks with the district's dragon mascot and has turned the art project into a school lesson.
"We are currently collecting rocks at our school in order to do a lesson plan on the painted rocks and what meanings they have," she wrote. "Kids are looking forward to it! Can't wait to get painting!"
Employees at the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in Wake Village have been painting rocks with their children and grandchildren, then placing them around the gas station and store for others to enjoy. Eleisha Jones said the rocks she's put out have traveled quite a distance.
"I had someone find one of the rocks my grandbaby hid and they relocated it to Branson, at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede," she wrote. "That was fun!"
Other area rocks have traveled as far as Alaska, New Orleans and Houston, according to group members. The movement was created over a year ago by a woman who was walking on the beach, who began leaving rocks there with inspirational words on them. Then it grew into the Kindness Rocks Project, which states on their website, "Take one if it means something to you, a reminder! Or Share with a friend who needs some InspirationIt's all about Kindness Right? We all could benefit from it. Please Pay It Forward."
Many who paint the rocks say they are paying it forward, including Robin Oliver, who is in a wheelchair. He paints rocks depicting stick figures who are also in a wheelchair to support the handicapped community. "My rocks are to make awareness for them and hopefully a smile!" he wrote. He said he's been added to five different rock groups and shares the photos on his Facebook page as well to bring awareness, smiles, peace and love to the world.
Kimberly Hambree is also bringing love to Texarkana with memory rocks depicting cardinals in honor of her mother, Gail, who died in October. Together, she and her family have painted more than 250 rocks with the red bird, which according to legend, represents a heavenly visitor. Hembree said her mother was very fond of the birds.
"Since it meant so much to my mom during that time, we have carried it on," she wrote.
To participate, organizers say to simply sit down, paint a rock, tag it to a Facebook group and put it where it can be found. Michael's craft stores has also teamed with the Kindness Rocks Project to offer rock painting classes. For more information, go to thekindnessrocksproject.com.