The setting for this collection of photographs, Imprinted on This Rock Forever in Love, is a 127-acre peninsula on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan. Most of the photographs were taken during a one-year period starting on September 1 and ending on September 1 of the following year. The pages of the book are laid out roughly in chronological order.

Only a handful of photographs from the collection are included on this website. But the book contains more than 160 photographs of painted rocks and is updated each year. You can order the book from this site.

The artists and authors are known only to themselves, but most of the rocks were painted by Northwestern University students who obviously wanted to express love, gratitude and thankfulness to their friends, families and lovers.

It’s been said that Love is at the center of the universe and I think that the people who took the time and effort to paint these rocks have proven that to be true. When they had a chance to make a statement by simply painting a sentiment on rock they expressed love, friendship and hope.

Wind, water and time have eroded some to the point of being almost illegible but still hold some kind of emotion.

Some people chiseled initials and hopeful sentiments into the smooth rock faces, and you may be as surprised as I was to see a life-size mermaid with an Afro haircut carved from one rock, her gaze forever looking skyward.

My hope is that you come away from this book with the same sense of optimism and cheerfulness I felt while shooting the photographs and compiling this collection.

Brian L. Cox

Photographer & Editor