"Red Tailed Hawk" ACEO original by Rusty Harden

"Red Tailed Hawk"

ACEO 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

$15.00

Original Watercolor Painting

Rusty Harden

The Red Tailed Hawk is one of the wildlife ambassadors at the Brukner Nature Center, Troy, Ohio.

We are reminded that we share this planet with other amazing living creatures and what we do or do not often has an impact on their very survival.  Education is the key.  The proceeds of this sale will go to Brukner Nature Center, directly.

"Cuppa Joe" CBS Sun Art by RustyHarden

"Cuppa Joe"

8"  x 8"

acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

$200.00

Isn't it funny how we collect coffee mugs with all kinds of pictures on them.  When did that begin?  Who thought up that incredible marketing idea?  I don't personally have a collection but I enjoy looking at the variety when I'm shopping, especially at a tourist trap.  They have the best mugs, don't you think?

Unexpected Adventures



Sometimes you just find yourself somewhere you never expected to land.

I think a tornado just picked me up and put me down in the land of The Artist Challenge

and The Pub

Let me start at the beginning; A couple of years ago, I submitted artwork on an online site that challenged the artists to create work based on bi-weekly themes. I benefitted by producing artwork that would otherwise not be created and I enjoyed the additional online presents. Occasionally, I engaged in some friendly banter and gleaned tidbits about successful online promotion in the artist forum.

I consider myself a serious artist who doesn't take herself "too seriously". I love my job. I create art, I teach art, I mentor those who would be artists and I co-own a company that makes artist acrylic paints. (I do more but who really cares?)

In December when the owner/creator of The Artist Challenge, Vikki North, courageously faced death with an unexpected health crisis. I recieved an email with the request that I should keep her vision alive by becoming the owner and the moderator of The Artist Challenge. As I tossed about the decision, Vikki took aim and said that there was little time remaining, that I should pee or get off the pot. (Actually, her words were more to the effect, "I have little time left. Go ahead and do it, you can always close down the site later if you decide it isn't for you".

Did she choose wisely? I don't know.

Vikki North died January 31, 2012. I was able to honor her by creating a gallery of her "Challenge" work Vikki North and with submission of loyal artists get the first gallery of the year "Show Us What You've Got" posted before her passing.

The Annual Sun Art Gallery (One of Vikki's pride and joys) 2012 Sun Art was posted last week.

(I wish she could have viewed it. I am so proud of the artist participation.)

I have been so busy trying to figure out the bells and whistles behind the scene, assuring artists that I will work to make the site a viable platform for their artwork and laying a foundation to keep Vikki's ship sailing that I failed to mourn her passing. It hit me today. (Loss is like that, it sneaks up on the one who is trying tokeep the stuff going.)

I told Vikki that I would do my best...and I will.

Its time for me to add my goodbye to the others. Somehow I can't do it on her memorial gallery.

She was closer to so many others, I sometimes suspect that she really meant to email someone else about

keeping the challenge going.

Too late now, I said "yes".

"Breaking Through" Original Painting by Rusty Harden

 “Breaking Through”

Mixed Media
16" x 20"

Canvas

 “Whether it be to failure or success, the first need of being is endurance-to endure with gladness if we can, with fortitude in any event”-Bliss Carman

I created this piece for the theme "My So Called Life" for The Artist Challenge



"Cheshire Sun" Sun Art Aired on CBS Sunday Morning for the Second Time

"Cheshire Sun"

Mixed Media

9" x 12"

Rusty Harden

Original SOLD

Aired on CBS Sunday Morning for the second time on July 17, 2011.

To Purchase 8" x 10" Print  $25.00

To Purchase Note Cards set of 4 $10.00

 The Artist Challenge  hosts the Sun Art theme every year and submits the artwork  for the CBS Sunday Morning Sun Art Library.



Daffodils Original Watercolor Painting by Rusty Harden

"Beauty in Imperfection"

12" x 9"

Watercolor

April usually brings daffodils, an early sign of spring. I have attempted to paint them many times and have always failed. It is the translucent nature of the petals that is so hard to maintain while capturing the light and dark contrast.

I loved the one with the torn trumpet and the way it reveals what is on the inside of the flower. Its like people, sometimes you can’t know what is in them until they are wounded.

CBS Sunday Morning Sun Art "Crimson Journey" The Artist Challenge

"Crimson Journey"

14" x 14"

Water Based Media

Hotpress Paper

$425.00

Visit my  writing blog at Amber Falling Rain where
I uncover that the sun isn't always the shine we think it is.



How I benefit from on-line challenges (and how to be selective)

I have found that I am an artist who creates better with a purpose.  Like most creative processes, dry spells come and go.  Then there is always the "rut" syndrome.  I discovered  The Artist Challenge  about a year and a half ago.  Their biweekly thoughtful art themed challenges challenged both my creativity and time management.  I found myself among an international group of artists with something to say with the art work they create and post.  Being the number one online art challenge site among the search engines didn't hurt my feelings either.  The host, Ms. Vikki, keeps a tight ship protecting the site from spammers and scullywags.  She's generous in her effort, although there is a minimal fee for one of the two entries (one is always free), Ms. Vikki does not ask for a commission from my sales yet promotes all of the artists in many online venues.
A favorite annual promotion is coming up, the CBS Sunday Morning Sun Art Challenge.  The Sun Art submitted by this January 8 is submitted to CBS  for their Sun Art Library.  Several works of art from this challenge has been aired.

An off shoot to the Artist Challenge is the Inferno.  A challenge for writers.  I joined as soon as they offered it, I had not really tried my hand at writing but soon I found another creative outlet. I have a new passion for creating line drawing illustrations for my writings. I now post those entries as well as my other meanderings at Falling Amber Rain. 

There are lots of art challenge sites and online galleries.  Its something to wade through.  Before selecting one be sure that they are as protective of your copyright as you are,  you get the most exposure for your effort and dollars, and find a group that is all about the art and leaves the pettiness behind.  

I am currently looking at a monthly sketch book themed challenge  So far it looks like it meets my criteria,  I'll let you know soon.
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