Spotlight on artist/author Charisse Rudolph
The picture on the right shows Charisse Rudolph and husband Vic at a recent First Friday artist reception at CrossRoads Gallery.
Whether she’s jumping out of an airplane or jumping her horse over fences – or writing books or painting or drawing – Charisse Rudolph doesn't let anything stop her from doing what’s important to her.
An A-student in art classes, Charisse became aware at an early age that she had a natural ability in drawing and painting and anything else that was creative. She was also dyslexic, however, which caused some difficulties in school as well. Ultimately, her love of horses and art saw her through the rough parts.
She says she “always dreamed of being an artist” but was told that “artists don't make money.” After other pursuits and raising a family, at age 53 she decided to give art a try. Still without any formal art training, she creates Southwest Art and Nature paintings, in addition to doing animal portraiture work, primarily using pastels and Conte.
In May Charisse will be a featured artist at CrossRoads, where she is a regular member, and she’ll be highlighting her recent horse portraits done in pastels and Conte. Actually, she has done a number of horse portraits through the years and is available for commission work for anyone who wants a special rendering of their equine friends.
Charisse is also a published author. Her first book was "The Secret Daydream, A Guide to your Child's Future," about believing in yourself and living your daydreams, written especially for parents to share with their children. Charisse also illustrated the book.
Her second book was for college students, and using the charcoal drawings and inspirational quotes from the book she has created a popular line of greeting cards. Her third book – “Words Hit Hard as a Fist, With 18 Tips on How to STOP Being Bullied" is at the publishers and should be out any day now.
In addition, Charisse is also a new regular columnist for The Loop Newspaper (“Daydreams”) and she writes a blog for the Ellen Degeneres Show website called "What can you do to be a solution to stop bullying."
Charisse Rudolph has made a commitment to pursuing and realizing her own dreams, and to encouraging others to do the same for themselves. Because she will be featured at CrossRoads Gallery in May, you will have the chance to come by and meet this dynamic artist/author in person at the First Friday Artist Reception on May 6, from 5 to 8 p.m.
