Pocket Pebbles by Sheila Roote (Terra Exhibition)

From Sheila

Living on an island wrapped with a shoreline of water worn rocks, I am unable to resist the temptation of pocketing a few eye-catching ones during my daily dog walks.  We make quite the pair with my dog, Pippin, dashing about in all directions chasing waves or enticing scents while I amble along with my head down, eyes on the lookout for the day’s ‘perfect’ pebble.  Most are passed over, some are inspected more carefully and a few are tucked into a pocket.  Criteria varies from day to day; stripes; smooth, colour, shiny, interesting shapes…Once home they are pulled out to be admired and likely join other pebbles and rocks on the kitchen table or pass through.  Eventually, if worthy enough, they may be placed in a bowl or jar with others, some of which date back to my childhood. However, it is more likely they will find themselves back outside to join other rocks and pebbles which are strewn about our yard, reminding us of many earlier walks and adventures.
 

Recently, I have added another step in their journey through my life and started sketching or painting them with my watercolour paints. It’s become a regular evening pastime of mine to sit down at the kitchen table after dinner and record one or more of the day’s treasures with my paints. Pocket Pebbles (pictured below) are a few of these special ones which made it home in one of my pockets.