Deb Trotter, Cowboy's Sweetheart

I’m a Harlan Coben junkie, so when his latest book, The Woods, came out, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I stopped at Borders in Scottsdale on my way home from Art Unraveled in Phoenix, and purchased the CD.

What a fantastic thriller it is. While some reviews have criticized this book as "shallow" in comparison to Coben’s previous work, I loved it. It kept me engrossed for 10 hours while driving in the "No Man’s Land" part of Wyoming. (The road between Baggs and Rawlins is like being on a never ending treadmill to nowhere in the Twilight Zone.)

Now, NOTICE I said 10 hours, and there are 11 CD’s.

One hour left to go to the climax and the resolution I could barely WAIT for, and what HAPPENS?

You guessed it. The last CD was corrupted.

I kept getting skips and scratches, and was "treated" to what sounded like a rapper on drugs. (This is not the first time this has happened to me, and I have vowed to never again buy another book on CD).

NOW, I will have to either WAIT until the library calls me (I’m on the waiting list for the book), or I’ll have to go out and BUY the book. And all I need is the last chapter.

I don’t know what happened to:   the protagonist; to his sister (is she DEAD or not?);  his lost love (recently "found" after a long separation) – his enemies, acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, many of whom need to be taught a lesson. (I tend to get very involved in characterization.)

This is sheer torture, I tell you!

I’m caught "In the Woods," and I can’t get out.

I don’t think I can stand it much longer, so I may very well have to go out and buy the book (and it’s a hard copy!)

If anyone out there has already read it, and you can tell me how it ends, please let me know.

(Talk about a sad plea for help.)

Happy Desperate Trails.

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 5 Comments »

While "purging" my studio, I came across this vintage photograph I’d forgotten about. I’ve always wanted to do something with it, but I’ve either never found the time or never found the right inspiration.

John came in and saw it sitting on the counter…

"Who are those women?" (As if I know their names, who they are, where they lived!)

"It’s just an old photograph I like." (I have learned, the more I explain, the less he "gets" it.)

"Why are they all holding dolls and bears?"

"I think maybe those are their favorite possessions." (Good question, genius! That’s what makes the photo intriguing.)

"Aren’t they a bit too old for dolls?"

"Aren’t I a bit too old for bears?" (I point to my collection of western teddy bears on the shelf above my computer. All of a sudden, I’m feeling very defensive. I don’t know why his analytical questions always get to me, but they do. This always happens. I always find myself "defending" the women in my vintage photographs – I just do it automatically. They are my "friends.")

(This is one of my bears, "Matt Dillon" from "Gunsmoke," holding a collage that friend, Claudia Roulier, made for me.)

"Oh. I’ve never noticed those before."

OK. I’ve been collecting and dressing my "western bears" for over 15 years, and he is only now just noticing them?

AUUUUUUUGH!

I’ve decided I’m keeping the photograph out, and I’m going to use it.

Inspiration comes from the strangest places.

Happy Trails!

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 6 Comments »

"Bold" by Pilar Pollock

Remember how I told you that I had goodies waiting for me upon my return from AU?

This incredibly vivid masterpiece was another one of my surprises, and it came from my talented friend, Pilar.

I am wild about Pilar’s work. I love the stark, bold use of color and the jolting, contemplative messages so prevalent in her art. There is always something to ponder. In this case, I am intrigued by the black paint over the girl’s eyes, along with Pilar’s chosen title, "Bold."

I like to think the woman depicted here is a risk taker – that the unknown and the perilous will not deter her, nor will they diminish her dreams. Fear is not the master here:  Conviction is.

A true artist does not allow fear to guide her. She is not threatened by self doubt or envy. Instead, she creates artwork that springs from her passion for life, whatever it may be.

Here’s to the true artist.

Be bold. Be brave. Be honest. Be proud.

"Be who YOU are."

Be.

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 9 Comments »

"Warrior Timeline"  14.25" X 10.75" 

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 5 Comments »

Here are all the lively, talented "cowgirls at heart" and their Cowgirl Companion Shrinelet creations. These little pieces were created in my Wednesday night class at Art Unraveled. These women were a joy to teach & are true artists:  They took the basic premise and created such original, clever, whimsical "little cowgirls."  Thanks, pardners! You were the best!

From Thursday’s Western Shadowbox Class, you can see the boxes emerging from various stages of the creation process. The most amazing thing was to see the various shades of green and blue these women achieved by using different strengths of the Modern Options Antiquing Solution – then, painting & inking over the surface. I was so proud of them!

I don’t know whether to be proud as punch or embarassed as a wet polecat naked in the wind, but I’ll tell you what – in both of my classes, the end result from these class participants often ended up better than mine!

(OK, I’m proud!)

Yee Ha! You rock, ladies! Thanks for making my classes the highlight of Art Unraveled!

Happy Trails.

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 12 Comments »

(Maija & Deryn – Art Unraveled 2007)

Just how much more lovely can you get? Look at those beautiful faces on two of the most fantastic women on the planet – Maija Lepore & Deryn Mentock.

I finally met Maija after years of corresponding with her online. She is one of the most delightful people you could ever hope to meet. Genuine. Charming. Fun. And practically glowing with that luminous skin and those beautiful eyes. What a gal!

And how lucky I was to end up rooming with Deryn, one of the most talented jewelers ever, and someone I am proud to call a dear friend as well. Deryn & I share many connections, one of which is our love for Cody (her husband hails from here, lucky guy.) Deryn & I lost many good hours of sleep talking way into the night about anything and everything. Isn’t that what good friends do? She is so grounded and calm and centered. I love being around her.

Monday night, the first official day of classes, I had a delectable dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with the extraoridinary Sas Colby. Sas is incredibly talented – a visionary. She always keeps me grounded with her insight and intuition. She is my friend, my teacher, and my mentor, and I am forever grateful that the Muses brought us together. (The meal & dessert were fantastic, but Mojitos were out of this world, weren’t they, Sas?)

I also got the chance to meet up with Claudia Roulier, Katie Kendick, and finally, one of my artist idols, Judy Wise.

Before the Art Extravaganza began I was able to purchase a few pieces from Judy. I love this one to death – you wouldn’t believe the depth & layering, as well as the glow of encaustics – it is so much more vivid "in person." (I think that’s usually the case with art, don’t you?)

And THIS one I had to have because the cowgirl is named "Katy" (as in "Kendrick" ~except for the spelling~), she is in Santa Fe (my favorite place in the whole wide world), and because she is a "whooping good time cowgirl" with a big, red hat. Her outfit reminds me of the one Linda Carter wore when she played "Wonder Woman" on TV. (Why is it art always takes me back to my younger days?)

AND…TA DAAAAAAAAA! Judy GAVE me this print, which I treasure BEYOND WORDS. (For those of you who don’t know, I OWN these BOOTS! I wore them to the Art Extravaganza on Saturday! Can you believe how PERFECT this piece is for me????? (THANK YOU, JUDY!  I owe you a Lemon Drop Martini.)

After AU was over I was honored to spend some time at the home of the divine Sylvia Luna, one of my favorite women of all time. While there, I also had the pleasure of getting to know two other remarkable talents & kindred spirits, Pilar Pollack & Doris Arndt.

Sylvia’s home is so like her. It’s full of vivid luscious colors – chocolate brown & ruby red walls – Mexican retablos, Santos, Crosses, & Religious Icons …

taxidermy figures – hand made dolls & carved heads of all shapes & sizes – this one is a bit macabre, but I love it…

- bountiful crystal & iron chandeliers – enchanting gothic, iron gates with spiderweb & cross designs (and Oh, MY! Check out the cowboy statue!)

fun, whimsical, & spooky skeletons & Day of the Dead figures – and OH, the ARTWORK!  Her studio is a miasma of creative delight – masks, art, ironwork, & track lights weaving themselves around the art like a snake, seducing an enchantress. The space fills your creative well, nurtures you, and entices you to sit down and create (and oh, we DID, didn’t we, ladies?)

I would be a poor excuse for the animal lover that I am if I didn’t include this photo of one of Sylvia’s bulldogs (she has 4 bulldogs, and one yellow lab – and all of them are as sweet & funny & friendly as any canine could ever be). Isn’t this guy DA BOMB?

Sylvia took Pilar & I to see the Gorey Exhibit. All I can say is WOW!  If you get the chance to see this artwork IN PERSON,  DO it!  As is the case with most art, the work is so much better LIVE.  Several of the pieces are dimensional, which is really difficult to detect in a photograph. Fantastic!

Ok… this post turned out longer than I had planned – but how could I leave any of it out? I could kick myself with my cowboy boots that I didn’t take more pictures of all the wonderful people I met, but next time I’ll be more diligent with my camera.

At any rate, I hope you enjoyed meeting all these special people as much as I have enjoyed spending time with them.

Next post? My special students from Art Unraveled. You don’t want to miss the things they created! What wonderful ladies & artists these gals were!

Happy Trails!

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 9 Comments »