The Original BrickEngraver/BrickPrinter

10/23/2024

Cyber truck across from my apartment complex - finally went over to photograph it up close and beginning to grow on me. Its windshield is huge and made a nice starburst.

10/23/2024

Was downtown shooting pics for an SEO conference in Raleigh at the CAM museum and this was a scene across the street. Had a lot of fun shooting the event and got quite a few "Tommy Pics" --these two I like.

10/14/2024

Very probably my favourite album of all time. An Armstrong singing and playing the words of Dubose Heyward ( my ancestor) and name of my son. (Not named for him😀) How about Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong singing Porgy and Bess. Music by George Gershwin , lyrics by Dubose Heyward (my ancestor) - The greatest American Opera ever.
“Summertime” opening song.

Este disco contém algumas das canções do famoso musical dos irmãos Gershwin "Porgy And Bess". Os arranjos são de Russell Garcia e exaltam a beleza das compos...

10/04/2024

My irridescent hematite from Graves Mt Georgia bucket had I designed also makes a really cool lampshade for those little table lamps https://artoftherock.com/products/bucket-hat-irridescent-hematite-2-turgite-from-graves-mt-georgia I am beginning to enjoy taking my minerals specimens and make wearable. :)

09/25/2024

Copper Mimetite

I bought this piece of copper 50 years ago from dealer in Ajo Arizona that from an ad in Rocks and Minerals Magazine. Told him to send me the biggest specimen he had for $50. It is 13 inches high and is very heavy. Standing like in this picture, I see a dancer. It is leaning against my banister on my porch. Horizontally it is a dragon. :) On edge it looks like an alligator. :) The back ground is a photo of mimetite on wulfenite of a specimen in my collection from the San Francisco Mine. I printed it on a tablecloth and thought would be and quirky combo. That really is the prettiest orange in the world, I think.

If it has no quirk, it is not worth the work.

09/24/2024

Winter is coming soon!

09/21/2024

Going back through my pictures from last year and ran across this one forgot about. We really do have a pretty entrance road to this subdivision in the middle of Raleigh. Landscape architect did a really good job. My landscape architect professor would have given him a solid A. The subdivision was clear cut 25+ years ago except for the oak trees and then replanted. Very conciously planted to give a great color variety in the fall and spring.

09/12/2024

Designs on my parking lot on the way to get coffee at the clubhouse of my apt complex. They just pressure washed the buildings and sidewalks. Always get a few strange looks when taking pics of the parking lot. Straight shot and the a quad booked version. I really get a kick out of doint that and even think about the end product when I take the pic. But you can never really anticipate how will actually come out. Tthe third is a negative or inverted color of the original postitive.

08/21/2024

I really like ICM or intentional Camera Movement photos. Ran across this one.

08/21/2024

Kyanite Black Mt, NC Tile pattern for ceramic tile and textile prints. Think will make nice scarf or hat or tie

08/21/2024

Flowers on parking lot on my walk to the coffee maching . After rain so flowers congregated :) from the stream of water. All gone in 15 minutes. Liked the pattern.

08/09/2024

Probably the most famous or at least most seen basketball nets ever. Shown every year since 1983 as the Cardiac Pack won the most improbably national championship ever. This is my friend who framed them for Jim Valvano double exposed on Kodachrome with the frame. Remember beign right proud of pulling off this shot.

06/27/2024

We continue to upgrade our equipment for our new staff member. :) 🙂8x10 containment area. :)🙂

06/16/2024

This ugly old man always seems to get a compliment on this tie. I mean when nice looking ladies in the elevator or bar or church say”like you tie”, i might be onto something 😀😀😀

Malachite and azurite with cuprite from Bisbee, found circa 1895 from my collection. Cool rock and cool tie! Old man.

artoftherock.com Mineralogically Inspired Fashion All Natural Inorganic Unique Designs All photos made by Tommy Armstrong of minerals in my collection

06/14/2024

Well I think my little ArtOfTheRock store us good enough to publish. Check it out at www.artoftherock.com

I decided to use Co-Pilot to write a blurb about the website and what it came up with was really not that bad. Pretty accurate description. :)

It is more fun to create them than write about them,

Step into the world of Art of the Rock, where the beauty of minerals transforms into fashion. Our unique collection at [Art of the Rock]([object Object]) offers a range of mineralogically inspired products, from vibrant bucket hats to elegant scarves and accessories. Each piece is a work of art, featuring patterns captured from real mineral specimens by our founder, Tommy Armstrong.
Why Choose Art of the Rock?
● Unique Designs: Stand out with fashion items that showcase the natural allure of minerals.
● High-Quality Materials: Enjoy comfort and style with our carefully selected fabrics.
● Versatile Fashion: Our products cater to various tastes, perfect for any occasion.
Discover our featured products like the Large Tote Bag with Malachite and Azurite prints from Bisbee, Arizona, or wrap yourself in the beauty of nature with our Long Scarf featuring an inverted color tree from Raleigh, North Carolina. With over 962 in-stock items to choose from, you're sure to find your next favorite accessory.
Visit www.artoftherock.com today and elevate your wardrobe with the timeless elegance of Earth's treasures. 🌟

artoftherock.com Mineralogically Inspired Fashion All Natural Inorganic Unique Designs All photos made by Tommy Armstrong of minerals in my collection

05/29/2024

Not sure exactly what is going on, but something is. 🙂 Hen Party? Wedding? Saturday in San Juan Puerto Rico. iphone. I would assume this is "street photograpy" 🙂 I cannot believe that can see every face.

05/08/2024

Graves Mt. Irridescent Hematite meets Origami. #1
Cranes nourished from their mother rock.
I like taking pics of my specimens and then create landscapes and textile patterns from them. I was printing this one and my grandson was making these cool origami cranes and boxes. And thought that my patterns would make for a cool crane. Contracted him to do a dozen different ones. Well there are only a dozen in existance as he has now demanded an exorbitant princely sum for the next dozen. We are in deep negotiations. This is a very rare bird.
The pattern was directly derived from this very fine specimen, albeit the other side which is even more interesting.

05/01/2024

Trying to create a catalog of my scarves- getting there. Pretty cool. neexds some tweaks. This one is all from North Carolina specimens