Good will is just a stone’s throw away

Inspirational painted rocks turn up all over Newbury Park and Westlake



CONEJO VALLEY ROCKS!— At CReATE Studio in Westlake Village, Bella Ordonez paints a rock with an inspirational message that is just one of the many that are hidden throughout the Conejo Valley. Both adults and kids look for the stones, and when theyfind them they get to read the colorful inscriptions. Courtesy of Cindy Williams

CONEJO VALLEY ROCKS!— At CReATE Studio in Westlake Village, Bella Ordonez paints a rock with an inspirational message that is just one of the many that are hidden throughout the Conejo Valley. Both adults and kids look for the stones, and when theyfind them they get to read the colorful inscriptions. Courtesy of Cindy Williams

Step aside, Pokémon Go players and geocaching treasure hunters, a new game is sweeping the town, getting people outdoors where they can play hide-andseek and spread kindness with painted rocks.

No GPS or smartphone app is needed.

In the game, kids and adults paint smooth garden rocks with colorful designs and uplifting messages, then place them around the community in parks and shopping centers for others to find.

“The idea is to paint rocks with inspirational words, phrases, pictures to brighten someone’s day,” said Lisa Plambeck, who launched a group in May called Newbury Park Rocks.

Players can post photos of the rocks on a community Facebook page. They can provide clues on where rocks are hidden or show that one was found.

“I’m so excited with how fast it’s taking off,” Plambeck said. “Initially just myself and a few friends were doing it. Now I see our Facebook page growing every day. Knowing others are enjoying this too and that we’re all feeling a sense of community really makes my day.” Aside from spreading happiness, the hide-and-seek art-sharing game allows people to connect with one another, she said.

Another painted rock group is forming in Westlake Village, where two women are taking the lead to get the community involved.

“It is a simple act of kindness and we hope that one act will encourage another,” said

HIDDEN TREASURES—The Newbury Park Rocks movement is spreading to Westlake Village, the location of a painting event this Friday and Saturday. Participants can decorate rocks with colorful pictures to hide throughout the area, like the ones above, or adorn them with inspirational messages, such as the one below. Courtesy of Lisa Plambeck

HIDDEN TREASURES—The Newbury Park Rocks movement is spreading to Westlake Village, the location of a painting event this Friday and Saturday. Participants can decorate rocks with colorful pictures to hide throughout the area, like the ones above, or adorn them with inspirational messages, such as the one below. Courtesy of Lisa Plambeck

Westlake Village resident Cindy Williams, who is launching Westlake Village Rocks with Jemma Wildermuth, the owner of CReATE Studio, a do-it-yourself art center in Westlake Village.

Williams is the founder of Girls Club Strong, an organization devoted to helping girls build confidence.

She and Wildermuth, whose studio allows children and adults to explore their artistic abilities, will host a free community gathering where families can decorate rocks of their own from 10 a.m. to noon Fri., and Sat., Aug. 11 and 12 at the studio, 31840 Village Center Road, Westlake Village.

“Painting rocks is a fun, unexpected medium that draws people to create,” Williams said.

“It’s really just about feeling inspired,” Wildermuth said. “It’s a great way to connect people together and put out good vibes.”

Individuals who find the rocks can take pictures to post on each group’s Facebook page.

They can keep the rock, leave it or hide it somewhere else. Everyone is encouraged to paint and hide rocks of their own.

Plambeck, a mother of three grown sons, was introduced to the painted rock phenomenon while visiting a town in Oregon called Astoria.

“I saw the rocks on the river walk, and the families who were planting them were all excited. Then I looked at their Facebook page and I was inspired. Everyone was so happy to paint them, get clues and find them, so

Courtesy of Cindy Williams

Courtesy of Cindy Williams 

I decided to try it here,” said Plambeck, who has a background in graphic design.

She has decorated and hidden more than 50 stones, each uniquely designed with a colorful character or theme.

One of them featuring a bright red strawberry was placed on the base of a cement light pole at a shopping center in Newbury Park. Another decorated with an owl was perched on a tree branch.

“It was really exciting to see the first person with one of my rocks on our Facebook page,” Plambeck said.

Since the stones are left outside, they should not have embellishments that could fall off and become litter, she said. People also shouldn’t place the decorated rocks in ecologically sensitive areas such as national parks or nature preserves.

But there are many other suitable locations where the whimsical rocks can brighten someone’s day, said Plambeck, who uses acrylic paint to design characters that correspond with the shape of the store-bought stones she decorates.

“It’s relaxing and it feels good to paint something that is going to make someone happy,” she said.

Inspired by the popularity of the game, Wildermuth and Williams are organizing a rock painting project for children at White Oak Elementary School when they return to campus Mon., Aug. 21 for registration.

For more information or to post photos of found rocks, visit the Facebook pages of NewburyParkRocks and WestlakeVillageRocks.