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eMailby Norma Campbell
Rushe Hudson works each day under the watchful eyes of a horse named Two Bits. No, he isn’t shoveling out stalls or herding cattle. Two Bits is the cartoon Quarter Horse he created in 1991.
“He actually sprang from other characters I used to do for my kids,” says Rushe. “Strangely enough, when drawing him, he becomes real to me and I can see him acting out the illustration. Weird huh?”
Weird, maybe, but it’s pretty cool when one of your creations “comes to life.” Rushe is the Graphic Systems Manager at the American Quarter Horse Association. He’s also a former Amarillo College student—twice over.
Rushe explains, “I had the luxury of being there twice. Once for a science degree and the second time going back as an adult learner. And I found out it’s a lot easier the second time around, because you’re focused more.”
It started back in 1969. Rushe enrolled at AC to begin his studies in biochemistry. A science professor said something to him then that is now quite prophetic.
“I had a teacher whose name was Waldrip. We were in the lab one day and I had a notebook out with one of my illustrations on it. He told me then I was doing the wrong thing for my career. I thought it was kind of funny.”
Rushe had been interested in art his whole life, but at that point he was busy working on a career in science. He transferred to West Texas State University to continue his biochemistry studies, but had to drop out to support his family. Over the years he worked a number of different jobs: bicycle mechanic, accountant, newspaper publisher and Director of Animal Control. It was a stint at the Don Harrington Discovery Center that laid the groundwork for Rushe’s future.
The Discovery Center was one of the first businesses in Amarillo to have Macintosh computers with layout design software. Rushe began working with the software and eventually landed a job as a copywriter at the AQHA. The AQHA also had design software, but no one to utilize it. So Rushe took it upon himself to dust off the boxes, install the programs and begin designing brochures. He got so good at it, he started teaching Continuing Education classes at AC. For several years, Rushe taught a wide variety of students how to design their own publications, but the classroom was calling him back as well. He wanted to learn more, so he returned to Amarillo College to study Mass Communication. He graduated with an Associates Degree in 1994.
Rushe found his niche in commercial art and was eventually promoted to his current position. He creates all promotional materials for the AQHA, including booklets and billboards. He also continues to do freelance work for businesses and organizations around Amarillo. You’ve probably seen Rushe’s murals inside Quick Quack Car Wash locations…or perhaps the signs he designed for Discover ’88, ’89 and ’91. He also has projects in the works for Boys Ranch and Amarillo National Bank. Rushe created Two Bits to be a mascot for the AQHA Youth Association and the cartoon horse has symbolized and entertained young riders for 15 years now. In fact, an animatronic version of Two Bits will soon be seen in the new AQHA Hall of Fame.
Rushe works in a variety of media, but prefers pen and ink. For most projects, he skips the preliminary pencil drawing. He starts with pen and ink, then scans the line drawing into his computer and goes from there. Outside of work, Rushe likes humorous sketches the most.
“I figure if you can get a smile out of somebody, that’s pretty good,” says Rushe.
And Rushe hasn’t stopped taking advantage of programs at AC. He has also enrolled in a number of continuing education classes. He says there’s something for everyone: “I took a creative writing course. That was interesting, I enjoyed the teacher and I got to work a little bit with AC Current. That was kind of cool. I’ve taken watercolor, tennis…if you find something that you’re interested in, seems like they have it.”
