Although I have lived in Ohio (USA) the majority of my life, I have lived in other states from time to time. Somehow I always manage to return to where I started. I am happy here in the Miami Valley. Speaking of starts, if you would have seen my drawings and painting from when I was six years old you would said all of the nice things that grown-ups say when they are trying to figure out what it is. But I knew even then that I loved expressing myself with artwork. So I am never quite sure how much of my work now is a result of talent or just 45 years of practice.

Having no formal training in art and very few opportunities to attend workshops, I suppose I am considered a self taught artist. I did, however, check out hundreds of books from libraries over the years. Admittedly, I mostly looked at pictures. And so I sketched and learned to paint in oils and acrylics. About ten years ago, I attended a community class for watercolors. I found that watercolors liked me and I really enjoyed painting with them. Learning to handle watercolors has improved the quality of all of my artistic endeavors. As a result, I have won a few awards, had the honor of being included in juried, member, community shows and shown my work in some wonderful galleries.

Five years ago, I discovered a brand of paint called Fashenhues. They were created as a non fire paint for ceramics and porcelain. I developed a technique to paint with them in a fine art style. I began to teach workshops and become a distributor of the paints. That brought me into a whole new world of teaching and marketing. I have enjoyed those experiences as much as I have painting.

I started painting minerals about a year ago. However, my first mineral painting was done about four years ago. That first painting was done as a gift of appreciation for my website creator, Matt Black, known as Sixot. I painted one of his favorite specimen which was an Elmwood Fluorite, a beautiful mineral and an equally beautiful painting. Matt hung the Fluorite painting in his office, every time I'd have an appointment there we'd look at it. It took Matt three years to convince me to paint more minerals. Now, there's no stopping me. I have a passion for it.

When folks view my paintings for the first time they are struck with the detail and depth of the paintings. Painting them for me is a natural, I love the depth, color, and texture of each mineral. Every mineral offers exciting challenges. There is a need to pay close attention to color, to change the color of a mineral in a painting changes the mineral. Certain characteristics exist in each mineral and they need to be in the painting or the rock hounds will let me know.

Rock hounds make the rock, gem, and mineral shows exciting. They approach the artwork looking for authentic details and a nod of approval from them makes my artist heart soar. While I do sell the work online, there is no substitution for live exhibits. This is where the work comes alive. The interaction leads to getting commissioned work. Painting the minerals from collectors expands my experience and knowledge about minerals. While I like painting from the actual specimen when possible, working from photographs is never a problem. In either situation, I prepare myself by doing research on the type of mineral and the mine they come from. This helps me get the details right.

Through July, 2010 the Mineral Paintings will be traveling from Cincinnati to Cleveland. I will be looking at shows for later this year and will be posting the schedule on the Home Page of my website. I welcome comments, suggestions, encouragement and the occasional critique so "contact" me.

Thank you,

Rusty Harden
A Brush With Rusty

I believe in the cooperation and networking between artists, galleries, art groups and supportive services. I have a team that makes it possible for me to soar. Let me express my appreciation to:

Dorothy Henderson, The Gavinator

Donna Notella, A Muse

Vikki North, Pub Wench of the The Artist Challenge

Sixot Design Inc., Web Designer

TNT Studios, Artwork Photograher