Painting happiness one rock at a time

19 Aug 2025

When Barry Wilson, Baz, retired over a decade ago, he never imagined that his days would be filled with paint, pebbles and plenty of dots. What began as a simple pastime has turned into something much bigger.

“When I retired over 10 years ago, I had no idea that I would take up a hobby that most people might call a somewhat strange thing to do – paint rocks,” Baz says. “What started out as quite a casual pastime has turned into almost an obsession.”

Over the years, Baz has turned out an extraordinary number of creations.

“I have painted many thousands of rocks and emptied hundreds of testpots of Resene paints. My technique is quite unique in that I don’t use paintbrushes, I use sticks and do lots and lots of dots.”

A kiwi mum and her baby, painted by Baz with tiny little feathers featuring Resene FX Metallic Gold.

“I get my rocks from a local landscaper who is very generous with good deals and lets us choose our own rocks, mostly flat ones. I paint a Resene Black base which is the only brushwork I do. I am never sure how I will start or finish a rock, it just seems to happen. I consider myself the least artistic person I know which is quite surprising as they have become almost collectable to some people. I finish them off by covering them with a resin coating.”

About a year ago, Baz’s hobby found a new purpose. “I was in the local hospital and met the chaplain who thought they would make a nice small gift to patients. This has become so popular I am now supplying them hundreds as and when required. My wife also does children’s rocks for the children’s ward. However, she uses pens to do her rocks with which is what a lot of people are doing. I guess I am old school.”

Baz often uses sticks to paint dots in all different sizes in colours like Resene Smitten, Resene Dell, Resene Poppy and Resene Turbo.

Baz isn’t alone in his passion. “We have a group of people in Rotorua here who are quite passionate about their rock painting. I have a woman who I also put rocks out for the same as I now do and she says my rocks are very popular and children and adults are always on the lookout for a B.W. Rocks (RotoRocks).”

And with a stockpile of colours at his disposal, Baz is never short of inspiration.

“I have a basic stock of about 50 Resene testpots, but find the brighter the better. Resene’s metallic colours are also wonderful. I have a good range of most greens, yellows, blues and reds.”

Baz’s rocks spread happiness with all of their bright and bold Resene colours painted in intricate patterns.

His painted rocks have also travelled far beyond Rotorua. “My rocks have gone all over New Zealand and the world, which is wonderful. I feel that by painting something as simple as a stone and it making someone happy is a pretty good reason to continue doing my hobby.”

From an unassuming start to a global scattering of hand-painted treasures, Baz’s hobby proves that small acts can carry far-reaching joy.

Published: 19 Aug 2025