Name: Rusty Harden
Location: USA
Title: “Hope”
Price Original: $120
Size:: 5”x 7”
Medium: Watercolor
Artist web site:
http://www.abrushwithrusty.com/
http://www.rustyharden.blogspot.com/
From Rusty: I was on a walk and noticed this butterfly had landed on this thistle that had no flowers left on it. He was really searching for nectar that wasn’t there. I agree it is very beautiful just as it is- but it has nothing else to offer him.
12 responses so far ↓
1 vikki // Mar 27, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Hi Rusty,
The ‘complex simplicity’ comes to mind. I think only an artist can understand that contradiction. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and intricate detail work.
2 Sonya Meglaurel // Mar 27, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Love your work Rusty. Swear have seen this thistle somewhere 5×7 good grief. Going be all over those ACEOs your planning on giving as door prizes tomorrow!
3 Rusty // Mar 27, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Thank you Vikki. Weeds are so interesting. The transformation that this one makes from a lovely purple flower, nectar for the butterflies and seeds for the goldfinches to this spiney shell. Maybe some things remain beautiful to us only because of the memories we carry of what once was.
4 Rusty // Mar 27, 2010 at 9:54 pm
I waited a long time before this theme spawned the inspiration to paint this piece. I thought it was bigger until I saw it finished.
5 Sonya Meglaurel // Mar 27, 2010 at 11:43 pm
It’s perfectly detailed and a real beauty!
6 Elaine // Mar 27, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Butterfly and a thistles. Hmm.
The structure of the thistle is marvelous in your painting. I love the light and the background.
Thanks!
7 fanny christian // Mar 28, 2010 at 2:55 am
Beautiful as always Rusty – I just love your work x
8 Ray Shuell // Mar 28, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Hi Rusty,
My favorite, beautiful, seed head. We’ve a garden full of them. So sensitively painted. Love the background, love the detail on the seed head. Love the picture.
9 Candle Artist Jfay // Mar 28, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Beautiful Rusty ; ) And it does seem that even the lowly weeds can be a vision.
10 Rusty // Mar 29, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Elaine,
thank you, I like the question too.
11 Rusty // Mar 29, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Ray,
Living in most of my life in rural settings, I have seen many. And I always want to touch them so I do. Yep, spiney.
12 Rusty // Mar 29, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Jfay,
Weeds like ordinary people can surprise us. I think I identify with the weeds more than the florals in planted gardens.
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