Deb Trotter, Cowboy's Sweetheart

Welcome to my second ‘homework assignment’ for the Blog Triage Class I am taking with Alyson Stanfield and Cynthia Morris!

Today I am resurrecting an old post to see which personal voice is the most effective. The assignment, should we choose to accept it – and I did, because I didn’t sign up for this class just to ‘watch’ – was to rewrite an old post in a different voice, or person. 1st Person-”I.” 2nd Person “You.” 3rd Person “He, She, It.”

I’m both excited and curious about the results – and I’d really like your opinion. The original post (written in 3rd Person) was from 4 years ago … you’ll read it first.

Following the older post is the new, revised post – which I’ve rewritten in 1st person.

Which of the two “Voices” do you prefer? If you’re so inclined – please leave a comment and tell me why.

Read on, pardners …

Saving Those Smiles For A Cowgirl

“Saving Her Smiles” original art, copyright by Deb Trotter, Cowboy’s Sweetheart

ORIGINAL POST …

She was screen actress. A woman of the 30’s.
She had sultry eyes and a bow mouth. And when she looked directly into the camera, it was magic.

She liked lace and white cotton shirts, and the feel of silk stockings on her legs
She liked silent, strong men. The smell of roses in the early summer. And lavendar sachets.
She seldom smiled. The movie moguls liked it that way.

Instead, she saved her smiles for other things. Like moonlit nights. Bubble baths. Bing Crosby’s voice on the radio. And the early morning hours when she brushed her hair.
She liked to brush her hair. She liked to hold it high on top of her head and let it fall back down. Then shake her head, and feel the golden strands tickle the back of her neck.

She had played every role a successful actress of her day could have hoped for.
The petulant ingenue. The raucous flapper. The despicable villaness.
She had played every role she had ever imagined but one.

A cowgirl.

And someday. Someday, she knew the day would come when she might put on the brimmed hat. The tooled leather boots. The split skirt. The bandana. The fringed gloves.
Someday, she would mount a Palomino. A horse as golden as she was.

Then, she would ride away.
And she would finally, at last – smile for the camera. (more…)

Tags: Alyson Stanfield, blog triage, Blogging, Cowgirl, Cynthia Morris, writing syles
Posted in Art and Life, Blogs for Artists, Classes, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Creative Blogs, Improve Your Blog, Western Cowgirl Art | 3 Comments »

I’ve always liked that quote by the sassy Lauren Bacall – “I am not a has been. I am a will be.”

It reminds me that there is always more to learn. Further to reach. A “better” to be.

One of my goals this year is to be a better blogger. In that light, what could be more beneficial than to sign up for the “Blog Triage” class – led by ArtBizBlog guru, Alyson Stanfield and Journey Juju’s creativity pioneer, Cynthia Morris.

For our first assignment, “Docs” Alyson and Cynthia have asked us to create a post that defines our audience. Who are my readers? Whom do I want to reach? What kind of person would I like to read my blog?

Do you know who reads your blog? I am asking myself that question right now.

I have to be up front and admit that I’m weak at identifying the kind of person who reads my blog … you’d think that would be fairly obvious, wouldn’t you? Obviously, I’d like other artists to come here. And cowgirls & cowboys – whether they are the ‘real thing,’ or dreamers and wanna-be’s. Then there would be the art lovers & collectors … and manufacturers who might like to form an Art-Licensing partnership with me.

The dilemma is that my readers seem to be all over the map. A part of my readership has changed – and I can’t seem to nail down why. I’m guessing that part of the reason for the change is that just as I have evolved, so has my art. And so has my audience.

But there’s more to the story. I’m also supposed to “describe the person” who reads – or might like to read – my blog. Where does she live – and what inspires her? What does he do every day – what makes him ‘tick?’ Better yet: What did they ‘google’ that led them to me? (more…)

Tags: Alyson Stanfield, art licensing, blog triage, blogger, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Cowgirls, Cynthia Morris, Deb Trotter
Posted in Art and Life, Blogs for Artists, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Creative Blogs, Licensing Your Art, Photography, Western Cowgirl Art, art licensing, horses | 10 Comments »

Nothing says “Wild West” like The Autry Museum

My treasured friend, artist, and mentor – Sas Colby – sent me this video about The Autry’s upcoming exhibit, “Women of The West.”

It’s a fun reminder that there is a little bit of Cowgirl in every woman. Enjoy!

Deb Trotter ~ Cowboy’s Sweetheart Artist

Tags: Autry Museum, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Cowgirl, Deb Trotter, Sas Colby, Wild West
Posted in Cowboy's Sweetheart, Western Cowgirl Art | No Comments »