BY DARRYL SMITH
When local freelance graphic designer Patrick Siney went on vacation recently to Boulder, Colorado, he brought back more than memories and souvenirs. He came home inspired—inspired to build rock sculptures. “I found it to be one of the greatest gifts of a vacation,” says Siney. “I saw people eating in front of them, meditating in front of them; we went by them when we went rafting. So when I came home, I didn’t go back to work right away; I took a couple days off and started building rock sculptures in the Jordan River.”
Siney spends about 20 minutes a day scouring the Jordan River for rocks and placing them in precarious vertical stacks that sometimes seem to defy gravity. He encourages onlookers who stop to snap a photo with their phones to get hands on and some are happy to do so. The rock sculptures, also known to as cairns, have been assembled by a variety of people from children to an IU professor.
“I think, if anything, making the sculptures helps me be just a little looser and a little more creative. I come home happier. I’m able to work a little bit longer,” Siney says. “At the very least it’s recharging my batteries to be more creative and work through problems at home during my job.”
Patrick Siney is a treasure! He is a big part of what I love about Bloomington. We are lucky to call him neighbor and friend! Go get ’em Tiger!
thanks Kevin. see you in the hood.
I love Pattrick and his whole family. They’re all are self-starters and very creative. They all try to be a positive force in the world, even though they sometimes have a tough go of it….that’s “character”. Way to go cuz!!! Proud of you.
Thanks Michael. you might not know this… but having you and all the art that you have created in your career has only made me a stronger person. I’m glad we can share the excitement and drive to create things we imagine. you just take it to a whole new level.
These have been around for a really long time. They’re called trailheads, used to mark trails. I first heard about this a few years ago in the Red River Gorge, KY but after a little research found that they’ve been around for quite some time. Props to this man for making them a public art display in a very passed by location.
Love Red River Gorge.
Patrick ♡ the rocks, just another example of your creative spirit! Great photography too.
thanks Vickie! I love your Bloomington Hardware Store! A creative person needs stores like yours. Always building, fixing, repairing, and dreaming up projects.
rock on Patrick
I Relish the creative moment. hehe. oh! Sent you a email containing my new “hidden” sculptures.