Deb Trotter, Cowboy's Sweetheart

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Today was one of those days…

No matter what you do, nothing comes out right.

Let me preface my story by reminding you that today was Graduation Day, and I have my mother and father in law staying with us for several weeks.

The whole thing started when the grinder on top of my Capresso clogged up. I ended up having to beat it with my hand, over and over again to get it to work. By then, the "precisely right" amount of ground beans was off, so my coffee came out too weak. Tarnation, pardner! Being the coffee obsessed hound that I am, that meant I had to start all over again. THIS, with 4 adults on the verge of a caffeine breakdown.

Having 4 adults share what is normally enough coffee for only 2 adults is no small feat in my house. So – I had to make even MORE coffee in order to function. Remember, I LIVE on coffee

Next, yours truly remembered that she had not yet ironed her son’s graduation gown, which when it came out of its plastic bag, resembled a thin blanket of rayon mauled by a herd of buffalo. To complicate things further, I don’t have a regular size ironing board. I hate to iron and I refuse to store something I don’t need. All I have is one of those mini ironing boards (meant for college students or for people who live in a 400 square foot apartment in New York City) for emergency touch ups. And THIS was an emergency. Luckily, my mom is here, and as with all our mothers, she can do anything – even iron 5,000 wrinkles out of what seemed like a 50 foot long graduation gown on a foot long ironing board.

After the ironing challenge, I took a shower, proceeded to get ready, and my hair dryer died. Well, you may as well just string up this cowgirl and hang her from a tall Cottonwood Tree before you would expect her to go to her son’s graduation looking like a wired up polecat. So my hubby went on an emergency run to Wally World and saved the day.

Next disaster? The graduation ceremony. It started at 1:00 pm, but we had to leave before 12 to get a decent seat. We got there at five after 12 and ended up in the nosebleed section. After THREE student speeches, a gazillion awards and honorable mentions, two honor choir performances (none of which involved my son, of course), a guest faculty speech, AND the honoring of retiring faculty, school board members, and a janitor, they decided it might be a great idea to present the diplomas (3 hours later). I should also mention that the ceremony was held in the gym, which as you can imagine left much to be desired in the comfort department. (I have a sore butt to prove it.) Moreover, I’ll be hornswaggled if the spectators didn’t yell, blow horns, stomp their feet, whoop & hollar, whistle and scream after each and every name was called. What a zoo. It was a far cry from the way I remember my high school years, when graduations were a strictly sober, dignified occasion.

Fast foreward to the kitchen, several hours later after a grocery run and some last minute shopping. It is almost time to start dinner. I open the refridgerator door to take out the steak and…

THE REFRIGERATOR DOOF FALLS OFF!

I am NOT kidding. BAM! Flat on the floor.

As you can imagine, it was chaos. Broken condiment jars. Spilled jams & jellies. The dogs loved it, but I did not.

To top it off, this is an almost pristine NEW refrigerator. Evidently, the applicance assembly team at Sears was out to lunch on the day they put this thing together.

It took all 5 of us 3 hours to get the thing back on.

And then it was time to COOK dinner???

By then, If it had been up to ME, Wendy’s or Burger King would have been just fine. But everyone else saw this as a special day (HEY, no argument there. It was "special" all right.) and they insisted that I step aside while they cook dinner. I grabbed a glass of wine and retreated to the back yard for peace, but was rewarded by the sound of a visiting carnival below the rim of the mountain – you know – ferris wheels, tilt a whirls, cotton candy, and the dizzying screams of the crowd. Steven King couldn’t have done it better.

Insane!

Needless to say, I am looking forward to our peaceful trip to Yellowstone National Park tomorrow.

Sigh.

Maybe it’s my age. Maybe it’s the visiting relatives. Maybe it’s the knowledge that my son has passed his innocent years. Maybe it’s the day from HELL.

But I’m beat.

Happy Trails.

(Coffee anyone?)

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 8 Comments »

(click photos to enlarge)

My father in law is here for a visit, and of course I HAD to take him to Jerico to see my work hanging on the walls!

I am sooooooo psyched!

Jerico is an absolutely beautiful space. As you can see here, the owner, Jerry Horne, spared no expense to make his gallery the most hopping place in Cody…

The walls are a lusterous wood with grooved tracts from which to hang the artwork. The pedestals were made in New York City especially for this gallery – so that the size and shapes would compliment the gallery’s design. The lighting is a combination of tract lighting and murano glass from Italy. It is simply an elegant, luxurious showplace.

If you look here VERY VERY closely up in the left hand corner, you can see one of my paintings hanging on the wall…

Yee Ha!’

I have a few gallery stories to share later. But for the next week I’ll be mainly incognito.

My Mom just arrived for a visit (I am BESIDE myself with joy that she is here!), and my son, Whit, graduates this Saturday.  I am planning trips to all the sites and can’t wait to show my mom what the Wild West is really like. Cody is such a fantastic place to share!

Later, pardner. But for now, you know the drill…

Happy Trails.

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 6 Comments »

I was just tagged by my buddy, plein air extraordinairre, Joe Kaz, to list 7 things of interest about myself.

Hmmm. What don’t you know already? What do you already know that I can supplement that may whet your appetite? What would you find intriguing? For better or worse, this is me…

1. (Duh… this is the no-brainer part) I am CRRRRRR AZ Y about the Wild West. Cowgirls. Cowboys. Native Americans. Buffalo. Grizzlies. Wolves. The whole western experience is my total and absolute passion – combined with art – thus, "Cowboy’s Sweetheart." Put that in your peace pipe and indulge.

2. I drink more coffee in a day that a whole massle of wranglers droving cattle from Arizona to Montana. I live for mellow, rich, black beans – freshly ground in my European Capresso Coffee Maker. I slurp on lattes with sugar free English Toffee and Caramel with a dollop of cream on top. When we moved here & I discovered there were little drive-up coffee kiosks all over town, I knew I’d died and gone to caffeine heaven. I dig Starbucks Frappacinios when I can get them, which in Cody, Wyoming, is not possible – so everytime I go to Billings, Montana, I make Starbucks a major destination. (Yes, you’re right – European Coffee makers, lattes and fraps are so UN Wild West it’s not even funny. But coffee is my life, so there ya go, pardner.)

3. Even though the Wild West is in my heart, there is the Blue Ridge Mountain/North Carolina southern part of me that I will never lose. Don’t wanna lose. Am proud of. From the southern accent to the biscuit eater, to the watermelon lover, to the dew on the honeysuckle smeller, I am what my grandpappy would have called, "just a lil’ ol’ simple gal," and I make no apologies.

4. After my "actress in the theatre" days, I was ESPN’s first female voice over announcer in Bristol, Connecticut. Best job I ever had. It was a major deal back when women were fairly new to the broadcasting business. It was the best job EVER & paid GREAT money. I’d go into the studio for a couple of hours, put on the headset, and go to town – lending my voice (without the southern accent) to things like, "Join us this Thursday for a romping round up of Horse Racing Weekly!" No one ever saw my face – and no one recognized me. You know, the "broadcaster voice." I did almost everything in less than one recording take. It was too, too cool.

5. I am a dichotomy. Fearlessly rebellious on one side and a strict rule follower on the other. On one hand, no one is gonna tell me I can’t do something. I figure out a way. If I wanted to be an actress – I was. If I want to be an artist – I AM. "Can’t do it" is not in my vocabulary. On the other hand, I am a meticulously careful driver. I never go over the speed limit. I stop at every stop sign. I look in my rear view mirror constantly. I read directions with a vengeance, and then break all the rules. Makes NO SENSE, I know. But the cowgirl you see is the one you get.

6. I hate housework. Despise cleaning bathrooms. Can’t stand to see a hair in my sink, but touching one freaks me out. I abhor ironing with a passion. Don’t like to or wanna cook (although I do.) Dislike all the befores and afters – like getting OUT the vacuum and putting it back, although the actual cleaning itself is not that bad. Don’t mind DOING laundry, but hate folding it and putting it away. The whole making dinner thing in itself is not that distasteful – it’s the preparation and the clean up that gets the best of me. In short, there is too much in life to DO and too much to SEE to spend time in the daily chores. I know, it’s self indulgent and stupid. But there you are.

7. I love animals (except rats, possums, and sharks, who all have creepy, dead eyes and sneaky dispositions). I am especially crazy about dogs. I’ve lived with dogs as a part of my family every since I can remember. My life is just not complete without them. From the impish, develish mutt to the diva-like lap dog, I love the unconditional love and devotion they provide. Yes, they are demanding. Yes, they prevent one from just taking off and going away when one pleases. But what they add to one’s life is worth every inconvenience. Give me a good book, a comfy chair, and a good doggie, and I’m happy.

Done. Now, in accordance with the rules…

Seven blogs that I like, most of which I have mentioned in similar tags…

1. Lelainia Lloyd’s Tattered Edge – Lelainia is a dear, dear friend, a talented artist, and an interesting story teller. I love following her quest for creativity and I admire her passion for teaching.

2. Luann Udell – I can never mention great blogs without speaking her name. Luann is a gifted writer and artist, and offers her heartfelt, expert advice to artists everywhere – and for FREE. If she only knew how many times her posts have "saved" or inspired me! Her blog is like coffee to me. I HAVE to have it.

3. Tiffini Electra X – Talk about a cool gal! Tiffini blogs when and how she wants to and makes no apologies for NOT blogging "often." She even has a banner you can pick up on her website called, "Blogging Without Obligation." Tiff offers up her imagery and photographs for ANYONE to use and has no problem with someone borrowing her work or ideas. Talk about CONFIDENT! She is an incredible digital artist and a bombshell of a personality. I admire her spunk, her no nonsense/creative zest for life, and her generosity.

4. Judy Wise – Judy’s blog allows me to vicariously attend art shows I could not go to otherwise, and introduces me to her artist friends and their many talents. Her art is joyful, whimsical, and rich with the colors and musings of life. She is a treasure.

5. Deryn Mentock’s Something Sublime – Deryn’s exquisite jewelry and artwork and her gentle, loving disposition are a combination no one should miss.

6. Kathy Wasilewski’s Altered Antiquity – Kathy’s mixed media creations are a testament to those sweet days gone by. I am always moved by what she can do with fabric and assemblage.

7. Joe Kaz, Landscape Painter – (Yea, I KNOW you tagged ME and I’ve already linked to you, Joe. I have to mention you again because – well – I LOVE your work.) Joe’s paintings make me want to lie down in them and take a nap in the warm sun, or grab a bike and follow him down a shadow filled lane. You can’t ask more than that in a work of art.

I tag Tuna (Lelainia); Kathy; Kristen; Deb; Deryn; Holly; and Mary Beth.

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 4 Comments »

An addendum…

I received an intriguing comment from Roger Coss regarding my post on Spencer Tunick’s Mexico City Art Photo Shoot.

Coss is a member of the Spencer Tunick Forum.

Members are Tunick fans, many of whom have shared the Kunick experience – traveling to cities Tunick has chosen to create his conceptual photography and joining the masses who bear themselves to the elements and the camera.

Although I am WAAAAAAAAAY too inhibited to participate in something like this, I have to admit I am very intrigued. Like many artists, I admire the study of the human body – its raw clarity. Adaptability.

I STILL want to know – What was he thinking when he photographed these people? And what was it like – the energy of all these bodies and the souls that inhabit them?

I joined the forum just to learn more. It’s a difficult forum to navigate, and so far all I’ve managed to do is view some of the photographs some of the participants took while in …

Bruges, Buenos Aires, Buffalo, Lisbon, London, Lyon, Melbourne, Montreal, San Sebastian, Sao Paulo, Caracas, Newcastle/Gateshead, Vienna, Dusseldorf, Helsinki, Santiago, and Mexico City.

Unreal.

Reading some posts by participants is pretty engrossing, too. After a while, they forget they are naked (unless of course, it’s cold) and are caught up in the process. As one man said, "this is a way for me to participate in an art experience, even though I have no talent."

I’m sure some of you think these last two posts are weird, and some "get it."  Regardless, Tunick’s work has tongues wagging. And that’s what art is supposed to do. Make us think.

If you have some time to kill, you may view more of Tunick’s conceptual art here. 

So far, this is my favorite piece:

I don’t know. The boats. The water. The freedom of the nude bodies. It’s pretty cool.

Even though I could never be one of them…not without my cowgirl hat at least.

And if you think all it would take to put me in one of those boats is a cowgirl hat, as George Straight would say, "I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona."

Happy Trails.

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 2 Comments »

Talk about "baring your soul!"

Every now and then I post about "conceptual art," which you may or may not know is more about the process and the concept of art than the actual work of art itself.  It’s really all about this:  an artist’s thought process is more important than the existing art.

This piece was recently "created" by New York photographer, Spencer Tunick, who is famous for hording up crowds of naked people and photographing them. Yes. I do not lie.

I guess my problem is, I don’t understand the actual thought process behind this.

WHAT WAS HE THINKING?

Whatever is in this man’s mind, it always culminates in an explosive bout of publicity. I have to wonder if that isn’t his goal rather than the actual process or its result

7,000 people showed up for his "call" in Mexico City to be photographed sans clothing in this huge plaza.

Tunick promised the city that its famous cathedral would not appear in any of his pictures.

I don’t know why – maybe it’s the straight as an arrow pose of this crowd in this picture – but I am reminded of the Nazis rather than any thought process or concept.

Go figure.

Literally.

Yee Ha! Whatever floats your boat (or your private parts).

Happy (naked) Trails.

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 3 Comments »