Nature Imitating Art

I have this wild climbing rose that I've threaded down the chain link fence. It's over 20 ft wide and requires weekly pruning to stay in check. So I'm out in my back yard yesterday just doing a little pruning when bird startles me by flying out of the bush just a foot or two from me. This sparks my curiosity. I look closer and part a few leaves to reveal a little nest with two eggs. You have got to be kidding me. How cool is this! I start snapping some photos on my phone and rush inside to bring Katie out to see this. 

You would think I'd never seen a bird's nest before. Or that I'm just excited to see a bird's nest in my favorite rose bush. But that's not the point. I DREW this exact thing THREE years ago because I was inspired by the kudzu like growth of this rose bush.  

So here's the side by side comparison for you. How crazy is that! Life imitating art. Art imitating life. Crazy coincidence or copyright infringement? I'll have to stop cutting the bush and disturbing the momma redbird. I can't wait to see some little baby birds!

My sketch "Overly Protective Heart" from 2010

The Cardinal nest I found in 2013

Chester Gets Married

Well, actually I got married but I did this series of Chester drawings for the announcements and invites (it was Katie's idea and I'm so glad we did it). I haven't had the time for any other art making  between all the wedding planning, honeymoon, wedding celebration, merging of households, and getting ready to sell a house. 

It was a lot of fun and a bit of a challenge to "Chester-ize" Katie and me for this series. Each illustration contains details from the real event. For example when I proposed, I hid the engagement ring box in the top of my cowboy boot. Since the wedding reception/celebration was small group of friends and family, I wanted to post the finished set for all of you that we couldn't invite.

The save the date

The invite to the post-wedding celebration

The thank you cards

Also I can't recommend Memories 'n More Photography enough. Teresa was incredibly helpful with the elopement planning and the images are more perfect than I have imagined. 

A new chapter at The Stirring Arts Ministry

 

 

 

Dear Stirring community, 

 

It has been a great honor, blessing, and pleasure to serve the past 9 years as the Art Director at the Stirring. As I start a new chapter in my life (I am getting married in March), I knew that I would be distracted with planning and therefore need to take an extended break from my responsibilities at the Stirring. I didn't feel that it would be fair to the Stirring for me to temporarily hand over my role to another artist. With the Stirring experiencing such obvious growth and energy since the move to the big sanctuary, I felt that a leave of absence would likely create stagnation and a loss of momentum in our arts ministry. I felt that a new leader could better serve the Stirring and keep things moving with new ideas and a fresh passion. 

 

Eli and I have asked Steven Smith to be the new Art Director at the Stirring. Although I will be taking a break, I'll still be around and available to help Steven in anyway that I can. I am extremely thankful to God for using me in ways I never would have imagined and for all the friends that I have made. You guys are like family.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Richard Fudge

 

PS: Please give Steven a warm welcome, pray for him, and give him plenty of support. Thanks. 

 

PSS: Special thanks to the following artists who have already signed up for painting at the Stirring for this year. It's going to be a huge help to Steven that the next six months are covered as he settles into the role.  

 

February  :  Alberto Cabrera  

 

March  :  Jayde Darnell  

Mar 28 MTh: Steven Smith  

April  :  Gail Wilkins  

 

May : Steven Smith 

 

June : Rhonda Test  

 

July :  Alstone Caillier