By Lily Appleby • The Cardinal Contributing Writer
Have you ever noticed the colorfully painted rocks outside of the Doylestown YMCA? If so, you’ve got local artist Tom Schwabe to thank, who has kindly answered some questions!
Before you took up Rock Painting, what was your occupation?
Industrial Sales – copper-based materials.
Are you a native of the Doylestown area?
Yes, since I was 14 – prior in the Springfield Delaware County.
How long have you been an artist?
Since I was young… I always loved to draw.
While you were working, what was your main median?
When I did artwork, I did pencil sketch/pen and ink.
What inspired you to paint the rocks outside of the YMCA?
When the YMCA closed, I painted a rock saying, “I miss you” and this is how it started. From that point, I kept doing them weekly.
How long have you been painting the rocks at the YMCA?
About 3 years – since Covid in 2020.
Did the pandemic affect your art in anyway?
It inspired me to do more artwork and get busy painting. I was able to drop rocks at the entrance of the YMCA.
What do you like to paint on the rocks? Anything in particular?
I do various subject matter… cartoon characters, flags of allied nations, tributes to police and emergency workers, logos of schools and companies, etc.
Do you have set themes that you like to follow in your art?
No, I just do anything.
If someone was interested in getting into rock painting, what are some words of advice you could give them?
Know how to layout the rocks so that they are not harmed by weather and pursue subjects that you are interested in like nature, cartoons, etc… Also, spray them first with spray paint, and I use acrylics from the local craft store.
Thank you, Tom, for making Doylestown brighter!
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