The Kiddies' Parade in Ellensburg

Narrative upcoming: How The Queen of Spades knocked me out, cold.

Ellensburg Kiddies’ Parade was a highlight for all the youngsters in my small town. These costumes, painted by mother and Sharon Kibler were our favorites, by far! Notice the knee area on the Queen of Spades where mother, in hindsight, cut space for young knees to bend.

Pictured left to right, Diane Ray, Nancy Kibler, and Cheryl Ray.

Why I paint Rocks...

I have learned from teaching that a captive audience is not always a willing one, which takes away some of the fun of communicating. I find painting and leaving rocks as a gentle way to impact a willing mind.

When a person picks up one of my rocks, it's their choice, and whether or not they keep it or toss it aside doesn't matter. Either way, they decided it themselves.

When they find the rock, are they feeling worried? Scared? Grief stricken? In love? Victorious? Bored?

Whatever they are feeling, the ‘found rock’ can possibly soothe, distract, remind or otherwise participate in the moment.

I leave these rocks around town with the intent of adding a dimension to life.

I left this rock in the Art class at Ellensburg High School today.

One Reason

One Reason: Henry Mattisse said it, and I hear it: “Creativity takes Courage”.

 I love that each particular design on a rock didn’t exist before I created it. And it especially didn’t exist in the particular place that I set it. And the act of picking out a rock, putting my own brand of pretty on it is not as simple as it seems. I am Anxious picking it up, I’m anxious putting it down, bravery moves my feet.

Why is Cray rocking Ellensburg?

Thank you for your interest in this.

I was born in the old hospital at the top of third street, the youngest of the five Ray children, thanks to Edward Lee and Adele Ray. I spent a most adventurous childhood at 206 N. Sprague in the safe and loving arms of a neighborhood. Through life’s pulling and pushing, I spent half my life in Western Washington raising a family, much of it teaching secondary English Language Arts, and most of that time trying to get back to Ellensburg. When, in 2016, I arrived at last, I was met by an early snow, followed by more snow and a relentlessly frigid winter. It was time to get a hobby.

And that’s when I began rocking back and forth, and I have never stopped.

Here are a few of the rocks, which I will never claim are amazing, but they are mine! PINTREST: https://pin.it/43WXerx