Have you ever had a pet rock? The novelty gift was created by Gary Dahl in 1975 and featured an ordinary rock, packaged and marketed as if it were a real animal to care for (despite not ever needing to feed, walk, or bathe it). If you like the idea of having a “pet rock” that will live forever, you’ll greatly appreciate Japanese artist Akie Nakata’s animal-inspired stone paintings. They are both pet and rock in one.

Why can’t I do stone owl paintings?

Elspeth McLean is an award winning artist who creates in a style of painting she describes as “Dotillism” on her 'Mandala Stones' #WomensArt