The Artist Challenge

Emotional silence: I’m empty and alone.
Thoughtful silence: I’m here beside you.
Unwanted silence: I’m uncomfortable and don’t know what to say.
Subdued silence: I’m waiting!
Surprised silence: What the hell?
Meditative silence: Please help me Dear God.
Creepy silence: Did you hear something?
Dogmatic silence: Enough already!
Comforting silence: No words could describe how I feel.

The Members of the Artist Challenge quietly present Gallery 25- “SILENCE”

NO TALKING PLEASE WHILE VIEWING OUR GALLERY!

Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

All verse & Artwork protected under ©2010 The Artist Challenge.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

-William Shakespeare 1564-1616

The Members of the Artist Challenge present Gallery 24- an ode to love so tempting, irrepressible and sometimes delightfully naughty.

From our hearts to yours. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Please enjoy our Valentine gallery.

Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

All verse & Artwork protected under ©2010 The Artist Challenge.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION

“There is a place that you should know.
It’s found in dreams that come in go.

If you really believe that you can,
..then our journey has just began.”

The Members of the Artist Challenge present our tribute to the “Butterfly Circus.”

Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

All verse & Artwork protected under ©2010 The Artist Challenge.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION

Challenge 23, ‘Butterfly Circus’ was stimulated by a short film of the same name. Director /Writer Joshua Weigel brings us a disabled man’s story of hope against all odds. “Butterfly Circus” was The Winner of The Doorpost Film Project 2009.  To see this short film, please visit The Doorpost.com

This  theme concept for the Butterfly Circus was brought to us
by artists Rusty Harden  and Ray Wilkins.

 ‘ITS TOO LATE’ -Check out the latest music video and song written by Artist Ray Wilkins. “A hymn about that moment in life when it is time to make a change!”

“The shaking! The thunder! My heart races and blood pressure roars. Turmoil, commotion and havoc scream! Tis an ode to confusion and a poem to the out of control. Oh turbulence.. hath you no pity on my pathetic soul?”

No way, Jose! We delight in your anguish and celebrate it in our art! 

 The members of the Challenge proudly present a wee  little gallery to kick start  2010  -   Art Challenge  22- “TURBULENCE”.

Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION

Judith D’Agostino

Rusty Harden

William Maltese

Manuela Valenti

Paul Pinson

Candle Artist Jfay

Mary Sonya Conti

Suzanne Nicolaisen

Sarah Donnellan

Ray Wilkins

Ray Shuell

Lisa Carney

Beckie Saar Leone

Vikki North

And just when you thought the storm was found, you must venture on to the Inferno Sound. Our Writers have a turbulent little treat coming your way. On the subject of Turbulence they have a great deal to say.

Greeting Dear Patrons of the Arts and Fool Hardy Souls,

We present to you our very “BLACK FRIDAY” Art Sale for you bidding. If you should wish to purchase an item, contact the artist directly at the link provided with the artwork. There’s no 3rd party on this ship. We fed him to the sharks months ago!

And please stay and chat with us…. We don’t bite. At least not until we get to know you better.

Adieu for now,
The Crew of the Challenge

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION

Dear Artists,

Thank you for your Patronage of The Artist Challenge. It has been an amazing year!  I stand in awe and humbled by your talent, enthusiasm and endless support of The Challenge and each other.

Please know it has been my honor to have met each of you. From my heart to yours, have a fantastic Christmas and prosperous New Year. See you in 2010!

Happy Holidays ,

Vikki North/ aka the Pub Wench

‘ The anticipation is beyond what I can put into words! I have waited as a gentlemen should wait. The truth is all I ask you reveal…”

 The Crew of The Challenge reveals Gallery 21, ‘THE REVEAL”

We present a wee, but endearing  gallery for The Reveal. The Holidays are upon us and we’re all focused on family, friends and Holiday events.  So The Challenge is going to shake it out for the remainder of 2009!!

Check out THE BLACK FRIDAY HOLIDAY BLOW OUT ART SALE!  Watch out!  It‘s happening! It’s CRAAAAAAZY!

Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION

The ancient oak stood strong
centered in the grove of saplings
her young, from her acorns
once seeds of a union so intense
it is still whispered on the wind.

Weathered bark peeled away
with each years passing leaving
her body, her mighty limbs
torn twigs, shredded leaves falling
before the season said change.

Axes struck sharp and hard
shattering the forest calm while
creatures paused in silent reverence
as The Green Man gathered acorns
revealing their secret of eternal life.

Written for Gallery 21- ‘The Reveal’ –  By Cheryl Moss ©2009
To read more of Cheryl poetry please visit ‘Ponderings From the Pond’

“Who are they these shadows, that pass in front of our watching eyes. They are not from this world, and yet they are telling us of a story. Of time, of time that is not familiar to us. We are sifting, shifting, we are changing,. We are here…. now…”
Author Unknown

We present to you Gallery 20/ “Shifting Shadows”
-The Crew of the Challenge

Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION.

I went by the Druid stone
That broods in the garden white and lone,
And I stopped and looked at the shifting shadows
That at some moments fall thereon
From the tree hard by with a rhythmic swing,
And they shaped in my imagining
To the shade that a well-known head and shoulders
Threw there when she was gardening.

I thought her behind my back,
Yea, her I long had learned to lack,
And I said: ‘I am sure you are standing behind me,
Though how do you get into this old track?’
And there was no sound but the fall of a leaf
As a sad response; and to keep down grief
I would not turn my head to discover
That there was nothing in my belief.

Yet I wanted to look and see
That nobody stood at the back of me;
But I thought once more: ‘Nay, I’ll not unvision
A shape which, somehow, there may be.’
So I went on softly from the glade,
And left her behind me throwing her shade,
As she were indeed an apparition—
My head unturned lest my dream should fade.

The Shadow on the Stone by Thomas Hardy (1840 – 1928)

Things and people that fearlessly step beyond boundaries are the catalyst to the world’s knowledge, discovery and greatest love stories…. But sometimes going beyond boundaries is the source of the world’s greatest calamities and terrors.

The Artists of The Challenge present Gallery #19- BEYOND BOUNDARIES.

 Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION. 

Alone ’tis true is a word in the past
For now we have found a love that will last
Beyond the boundaries of time and space
And limitations of the human race

When pain is over and all is said and done
How glorious to have two turned into one
Inseparable spirits from beloved hearts
Who learned, through love, each other’s secret arts.

Sleep well My Love , you’ve earned your rest
For pouring love o’er me with such generous zest
Sleep the sleep of one who knows she’s known
And loved by a most powerful love that’s grown
From the seed of centuries of yearning
And the pain of countless time learning.
All the lifetimes you have spent earning
Joys beyond the dreams of most lovers
See it says here, within this book’s covers -
Have finally arrived at today
Your time is NOW
Never even a thought of ‘alone’ again in your life
Will I – or God – allow.

Written by Anthony Christian for his wife.

Hidden Treasure waits for thee,
Beyond the sky and beyond the sea.

No digging or prying or endless searching.
Your heart holds the clue so quietly lurking.

Seize the jewels and reach your goals,
The treasure is your life and still unfolds.

Members of The Artist Challenge present their concepts for Hidden Treasure- Gallery 18!

Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION.

An artist who is forever driven,
Has a gift  he has been given.

To create is not a silly sport,
Or boredom’s effort to thwart.

Art is a GIFT from the artist’s soul,
Which only God may extol.

Members of The Artist Challenge present Theme Gallery 17- “THE GIFT”.

Attention Patrons: To purchase artwork in this gallery, contact the artist direct at their website link listed with their work.

The Artist Challenge is a website for Mature Audience. Some images may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. VIEWERS VISIT OUR SITE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION.

I had believed The Gift to be,
an ability granted by gods.
A talent, trade, or craft
seemingly unattainable yet
precisely grafted in character.

Many gifts have been granted,
placed with pride and confidence.
Sculpting individuals,
shaping personage,
providing sufficiency.

Yet all along, hidden in sight!
The greatest gift of all…
a fellowship, of community.
Kindred spirits, sharing willingly,
unique gifts of ability, talent, vision.

Written for The Artist Challenge- Gallery #17-’THE GIFT’-  by Eric Schweer

To read more of Eric’s outstanding poetry and stories please visit The Mountain Day Dreamer