When most people look at stones on the ground, that’s all they see — stones. Yet artist Melinda Gaspar sees potential. Born to painter parents in a small village in Transylvania, Romania, Gaspar grew up surrounded by art and nature, so it was only natural that she picked up a paintbrush herself.
Yet it wasn’t traditional canvases and paper for her. Instead, Gaspar’s artwork bloomed on the surfaces of smooth stones found in nature. Using tiny brushes and a steady hand, she creates miniature masterpieces on the stones, drawing inspiration from nature, pop culture, traditional designs, and her own imagination. “Sometimes I just let the brush go where my imagination brings it!” she says.
These paintings were inspired by traditional mendhi designs.
Traditional Hungarian motifs are also a popular choice in her work, and feature bold floral shapes.
…Or to have beautifully stylized images on them, like these.
Other times, Gaspar takes a more realistic route and creates stunningly lifelike images on the stones.
Gaspar is an extremely prolific painter, and has created hundreds of carefully painted, brightly colored, and incredibly detailed pieces on stones. You can see her work on her Facebook page and website, where you can even buy a painted stone of your own!
