Local rock-painting enthusiast spreads kindness
From flying in hot air balloons, to painting rocks, Jeremy Crosby has some pretty unique hobbies. His latest hobby, Kindness Corner, aims to spread kindness through the community with painted rocks that he and many others share through a “rock house”, located at the very top of Highland and Bridge St. in his front yard.
The rock house is full of one-of-a-kind, hand-painted rocks that anyone can take home or exchange to “brighten their day”, according to Crosby.
“If someone is having a bad day they can stop and get a rock to cheer them up,” said Crosby.
With the help of many different hands over the past five months, Crosby was able to have a small compartment built to house the rocks and make them available to anyone.
“It’s really a community project,” explained Crosby.
Crosby also emphasized that people don’t have to worry about leaving a rock when they take one— the rock house is regularly stocked by different people in the community who enjoy painting rocks. The idea is just to “spread kindness”.
Crosby said that he got into rock painting and collecting through multiple Facebook groups— trading and enjoying painted rocks with people all over the United States and even making lifelong friends and visiting them across the country.
Winnemucca Rocks and its original founders were Crosby’s initial introduction to rock painting and collecting. He said he even started taking painting classes, with his own collection growing rapidly.
According to Crosby, some of the rocks and other items he has received through the rock groups have even been hot air balloon themed, merging both of his favorite hobbies.
“You never forget your first rock exchange,” said Crosby.
Crosby also explained his methods for painting the rocks and how he keeps them from getting weathered:
• Find a rock that is nice and smooth.
• Prime the rock with a base coat that will remove all dirt from the rock.
• Pick any design.
• Paint the rock with paint pens—Crosby’s personal favorite—or regular paint.
• Brush a layer of sealing epoxy, such as Mod Podge, over the finished painting and let it cure for 24 hours and the rock is ready to share!
Designs can include anything—even rock puns. Crosby explained that many rocks are season or holiday themed and that his “signature design” is a cross, much like the one made out of bricks that lays in front of the rock house at Kindness Corner.
Crosby explained that Kindness Corner has not been very busy since it was completed and he wants to both spread the word and spread the joy that comes with sharing painted rocks.
“It’s all about giving back to the community,” said Crosby.
Crosby also coordinates and directs the Hot Air Balloon Festivals that take place in Winnemucca—just another one of his unique hobbies that brings happiness to the community. Unlike the weather-permitting nature of hot air balloons, Kindness Corner can spread joy year-round.
“I love community inspired projects,” said Crosby.