In the upper Methow Valley, Mother Nature has been most generous in providing an abundance of sun, sparkling rivers and inspirational landscapes. Her benevolence does not stop there. She also is quite lavish in her “gift” of rocks; boulders, pebbles and stones. Yep, we sure have been bestowed upon in that department! 

After years cursing those round edged rollers and giving up gardening because of them, I now have come to admire the rocks in a whole new light, thanks to fellow artists, Larry & Linda McWhirter, owners of Mountain Style Mosaics. What they do with ordinary stone is truly art.

Using found rocks and slate they create decorative, as well as functional art pieces. Each one is unique, trimmed out using old barn siding, cedar and rusted metal roofing.  My current favorite is “Mountain Sky” pictured above.  I love its night time scene and full moon. You can see more of their work online or in person at the Winthrop Gallery. Rock on McWhirters!