Sep

1

2010

Wild West Wednesday – Featuring A New Wine-Themed Handbag!

Author: Deb Trotter

What would you do for a glass of really fine wine?

Flirt? Beg and plead? Dance on the Bar? Or – heaven forbid – Pay cash for it?

Luckily, I don’t have to go to such extremes when indulging in a glass or two.

But if you were a cowgirl, lady, or anything in between (and I do mean anything) back in the Old West – you may have been forced to go to extreme measures for a cherished – and sometimes hard to come by – glass of fine wine

These were the whimsical ramblings scurrying around my head while designing new handbags with my Buckaroo Bag pardner, Karna Morton.

I originally designed the artwork as a greeting card – then revamped it a tad for our Buckaroo Bag line.

Notice the luxe and luscious elements:

  • thick, luxurious brown, beige, and vibrant red trim
  • dark red fringe around the front pocket
  • leather colored suede
  • bright red and caramel colored trim
  • tactile, creamy gold and rich linen fabrics
  • tasteful touches of glitz – like tiny metal stars and the silver concho with leather insert
  • Last but not least – an original collage – wine inspired – sprinkled with humor and nostalgia

Right now I’m featuring this one of a kind bag in my Cowboy’s Sweetheart Shop. I’d love for it to sell online – but if it isn’t gone in several weeks I’ll remove it from the shop. Because … I’ll be a demonstrating and featured artist for 2 days over at Jodi Horvath’s fabulous Reindeer Ranch here in Cody.

Jodi is featuring local artists here in Cody, Wyoming during the same week as the Buffalo Bill Historical Center’s Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale.

I love this event! The whole town gets involved, and the week is filled guest artist workshops and presentations.

Plus, the Honored Artist this year is one of my all time favorites – the lovely and talented cowgirl artist, Donna Howell-Sickles.

I’ll be posting more this month about the annual festivities – especially Cody High Style and the Boot Scoot Boogie – so stay tuned.

And if you’re gonna be in Cody, Wyoming during Fall – the prettiest part of the year in these parts – stop by Reindeer Ranch September 23rd and 24th – and say Howdy.

Happy Trails!

Deb Trotter ~ Cowboy’s Sweetheart Artist

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Posted in Blogs for Artists, Cards & Invitations, Classes, Cody Wyoming, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Views on the News, Western Cowgirl Art, Wild West Wednesday, art licensing | 2 Comments »

Aug

25

2010

Wild West Wednesday: Learning To Embrace The Ghost

Author: Deb Trotter

Here I am – savoring Wild West Wednesday … but while I write this post I’m looking at my life in a whole new way. Let’s refer to me as a Spirit – a Ghost.

Virginia City Ghost © Deb Trotter 2010

A sixty year old Ghost … but more about that in a minute.

There are plenty of Ghosts in the West. I like them. The famous lawmen and outlaws. The gutsy women who helped shape the West. And the long forgotten travelers who fell in love with Wyoming and stayed.

Ghost Hills ©Deb Trotter

All you have to do is step into a Cabin frequented by the Wild Bunch … hang around the Rodeo grounds late at night when the crowd is gone … bathe in the silence and watch the Mule Deer grazing in your back yard.

With the passion I feel for Wyoming, you’d think I would be totally content. Don’t get me wrong … I’m happy to be an artist who imagines all the possibilities and opportunities waiting around the bend . I’m also beginning to realize that I must seize every moment with passion … and reverence.

I need to remember who I once was. How I got here. The people who have disappeared from my world … just like John Wayne, calmly riding off into the sunset. You know his soul is still out there somewhere.

I want the soul of a Ghost – a Spirit who can drift and seep into everything.

Drift and seep into verything I create – or imagine creating: Every crisp morning. Every sunset. Every Cowboy at the Rodeo. Every Cowgirl whether she lives on a ranch – or is a classy Cowgirl At Heart in every way possible.

(That would be me -the Cowgirl At Heart … Deb Trotter, Cowboy’s Sweetheart – exploring in Montana and snappin’ a shot of antique, wavy glass. And thinkin … “An original, real Cowgirl once stood here.).

Ghost in the Glass © Deb Trotter Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Art and Life, Blogs for Artists, Cody Wyoming, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Photography, Photoshop, Wild West Wednesday | 2 Comments »

Aug

24

2010

Attention Artists – Only 3 Days Until Of Towers And Turrets! 2

Author: Deb Trotter

At last I’m blogging again after a summer of mishaps, mayhem, and internet woes … more about that some other time.

A new Wild West Wednesday will return this week – think birthdays, ghosts, and belly-dancing cowgirls … not to mention a whole lotta soul-searchin.

Intrigued? Put on yer Cowgirl Boots and mosey back here on Wednesday, August 25th.

Now for the magic.

art © Deb Trotter

I had to share this online class info with you, because …

1. I am dying to take it myself
2. It promises to be a great class at reasonable price, and
3. I adore the instructors, Deryn Mentock and Sharon Tomlinson. These ladies are talented, committed, experienced, and professional.

The class is called Of Towers And Turrets. Think minarets, cupolas, and spires in paint and metal form. Doesn’t this sound like an opportunity to tour a Mixed Media Magic Kingdom?

It IS!

Take Sharon’s passion for drawing & painting in those soft, muted colors … and Deryn’s talent for inspiring jewelry design and craftsmanship … and you have the perfect team. Go here to check out their fun Towers & Turrets video.

If you are hooked – and you should be – you may sign up for the class here.

Don’t waste any more time. Just Do It, pardner. Click those cowgirl boots together three times and say, “There’s nothing like a great art class.”

I’m headin fer the Photoshop Trail myself.

See you on Wild West Wednesday!

Deb Trotter ~ Cowboy’s Sweetheart Artist

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Cowboy’s Sweetheart Disclaimer: I’m supportin’ the Of Towers & Turrets online class because I have full confidence that it will be perfect for Mixed Media Artists who love to learn, be inspired, and expect quality instruction.
I ain’t gettin’ no free Old Gringo Cowgirl Boots, Charlie 1 Horse Hats, Deryn Mentock jewelry, Sharon Tomlinson paintings, gold in them thar hills, art classes, or (sadly) dinners with Sam Elliot.

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Posted in Art Techniques, Blogs for Artists, Classes, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Wild West Wednesday | 2 Comments »

Jun

2

2010

Wild West Wednesday – How To Get Buffalo-Billed

Author: Deb Trotter

Have you ever imagined yourself as a famous person from the Wild West?

I have … but I’ve always been a Cowgirl with a hat, boots, and a trusty steed. I’ve never thought of myself as the legendary Buffalo Bill.

I really, really dig Buffalo Bill

While Buffalo Bill Cody was a brave Indian Scout, handsome cowboy, and a brilliant Wild West Show manager – I’ll bet he never had a clue that a nation-wide ad campaign would someday employ his trademark mustache and goatee to promote Cody and Yellowstone Country … an ad that would invite you to “GET BUFFALO-BILLED.”

Just look at Cowgirl Bess, whom I “Buffalo-Billed” this morning …

The Park County Travel Council came up with such a great idea to promote our area. I have to hand it them … I’ve never never seen a promotion quite as clever as this.

They are calling the campaign, “Get BuffaloBilled.” I’ve seen their ads in my favorite Western Mags – True West Magazine and Cowboys and Indians, and I was so intrigued that I looked up the web address. And voila! What fun!

Before you Buffalo Bill yourself, take a quick gander at these two videos – only 32 seconds each – that were built on the campaign. Too Funny!

See how cool you could be with a mustache and goatee? Well, it’s Wild West Wednesday, pardner – you couldn’t pick a better day to transform yourself.

Now it’s time to visit this site, Buffalo Bill’s Yellowstone Country, and have some fun “Buffalo-Billing” yourself.

Oh … and I’d be happy to share a link or a picture of YOU as Buffalo Bill!

Happy Trails!

Deb Trotter ~ Cowboy’s Sweetheart Artist

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Posted in Blogs for Artists, Cody Wyoming, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Creative Blogs, Travel, Western Cowgirl Art, Wild West Wednesday | 7 Comments »

May

28

2010

My Cowgirl Artist Inspiration Video: Why I Love Wyoming

Author: Deb Trotter

In my last Wild West Wednesday post I mentioned a little video was in the works that would take my inspiration photos one step further.

So, here it is – in two versions.

  • Version #1 was created in a sepia-old film theme. Just because I like sepia … it reminds me of Wyoming … primitive and worn.
  • Version #2 was revised at the request of my husband. To quote John: “Why does it look like it has lines in it?  What happened to the color?  Why does it look sort of sad?” (Sometimes a gal just wants her man to be happy – even thought she ain’t really changing her ways)

Put on yer boots, don that Cowboy hat, grab some Cowgirl Attitude, and join me.  We’re heading down to the Southfork of the Shoshoni River – right past Castle Rock – and into the the land where the deer and the antelope (and horses and cows) play

(Note: Copyright-free music has been added to this video to give it that “Wild West – Down Home” flavor. So if music drives you batty -it does me, sometimes – scroll to the bottom of the You Tube screen and adjust the sound … or turn it off completely before you watch.)

I’d love any comments on which version you like best – or just talk to me, pardner.

Happy Trails!

Deb Trotter ~ Cowboy’s Sweetheart Artist

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Posted in Art and Life, Blogs for Artists, Cody Wyoming, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Creative Blogs, Photography, Travel, Wild West Wednesday, horses | 1 Comment »

May

26

2010

Wild West Wednesday – Saddle Up With Me For Inspiration

Author: Deb Trotter

I’ve heard other artists say that if you need inspiration you should get out and explore a bit. Find the beauty in the small things.

Yea … I can do that. I can search for tiny little miracles like the shape of a snowflake or the refleciton of a tree in a puddle. (Well, if I can find a puddle. Not very likely in high desert country.)

Or … I can ride out to the Southfork of the Shoshoni River. I don’t look for little things there.

I just let big Wyoming country swallow me up until I’m so inspired I can’t wait to get home. Armed with wonderful photos like this one, I can crank it out, pardner.

I also dig the animals out here. Allow me to introduce …

Scruffy

Balky

Jiggy Poo (I see you!)

Adhiambo (“a girl born in the late afternoon”)

I’ve got enough inspiration to last a whole year … and I’ve barely touched the surface.

This little glimpse of my world is actually a look into my soul. It’s why I love what I do – why I DO what I do.

A nice little video is in the works about my world. Stay tuned, pardner.

Now, get out of the house and find your own inspiration!

Happy Trails!

Deb Trotter ~ Cowboy’s Sweetheart Artist

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Posted in Art and Life, Blogs for Artists, Cody Wyoming, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Creative Blogs, Photography, Travel, Wild West Wednesday, horses | 5 Comments »

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