Deb Trotter, Cowboy's Sweetheart

"Our Lady of Sureshot" ~ by Deb Trotter

Yee Ha! I guess you could say that, "My heroes have always been Cowgirls," but I have some other deserving heroes too.

How exciting it was to open my mailbox and find the May/June 2008 issue of Somerset Studio, featuring some artwork I did in honor of my own personal heroes – Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill Cody.

When I discovered that this issue of Somerset Studio would showcase "heroes," there was no doubt in my mind whom I would choose to "immortalize."

I call my creation a "trilage," as it joins three assemblage pieces to form one work of art. Here, you can see the effect when the three are featured together…

You can see how the barbed wire, stars, and skeletons unite the three pieces.

Here are 2 more pages from the article with photos of Buffalo Bill and the central skull assemblage which honors my two heroes…

Should you get a chance, pick up Somerset’s latest issue.

You’ll also find wonderful artwork by my friend, Kristen Robinson, honoring some of her Jane Austen heroines, as well as amazing artwork by Lynne Perrella, Lisa Kaus, and many other talented artists.

That’s all for now, pardner.

It’s time for me to honor some of my cowgirls.

Happy Trails!

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 11 Comments »

Here’s another little jewelry pendant design.

I just had to use the little mulie, so I figured he might be whispering secrets to a cowgirl. (I can’t imagine what a mule’s secret might be, but hey – maybe he’s telling her about Sam Elliott?)  Along the bottom you’ll find several Wild West Show tickets.

Also, I encorporated another design I created with Yupo paper, and used handmade paper along the edges.

My new goal this week is to create one more jewelry design and 5 new Buckaroo Bag designs. It will be a busy week. I have some publishing deadlines looming – not to mention laundry piles that have taken over the house. (How does that HAPPEN?)

I wish all of you a happy, productive week.

Now, pray for me, pardner. I’m heading for the laundry room and the monster piles are waiting.

Happy Trails!

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 5 Comments »

Here’s another design for a Cowboy’s Sweetheart pendant that I’m working on with Linda Fisher of Maverick Rose. I’m never quite sure how the designs will transfer to small pendants – but I’m hoping that since these creations are meant specifically for use in necklaces that they will be compatible.

I’m happy to say that so far I’ve created 7 designs. That’s 2 more than the first week’s goal that I set for my participation in Alyson Stanfield’s Artist Breakthrough Program! Yay, Me!  I may even be able to revise a couple of these designs for Buckaroo Handbag pockets. That would be nice – killing 2 birds with one stone.

And let me tell you what, pardner. Today’s weather makes it easy to huddle up in my studio and create. It’s 21 degrees and pouring snow like you wouldn’t believe. (Well, it IS, after all, Wyoming!)

And thanks to those of you who left suggestions on sizing images. In general, I create my art first – then scan it into photoshop and add words, a border, an some additional embellishments. But when I create art completely from digital means, many of your examples will help for sure! Thanks for you generous spirit, everyone. It is a true artist who can share her secrets with an unselfish, giving heart.

Now, back to play with cowgirls.

Happy Trails!

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 2 Comments »

Yee Ha! Looks like this "Artist Breakthrough Program" is working!

I have finished several designs for my Cowboy’s Sweetheart jewelry pendants, and this is one of them. I love the cowgirl aiming over the barrel. I found the photo on Ebay, and paid a pretty penny for it. Cowgirl photographs are at a premiuim nowadays. I placed a bid on one several weeks ago, and it sold for $275! (and not to me!)

I spent around 7 hours yesterday, and 12 today – just sizing images – adding transfers to backgrounds. Does it take anyone else a lot of time to size images?  I wish there was some easy way to KNOW how images will work together (or not). What seems to work best for me (and it takes forever) is to measure the image. Print it out in Photoshop. Measure another image. Print it out in Photoshop. Put the 2 images I want to use in the piece together, hoping they are both compatible. Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren’t … I do use the back of printed paper to "test" the size. When I know exactly what I want, I print the image from Photoshop onto heavy matte paper.  It’s really time consuming and frustrating sometimes -   I guess it’s just the nature of collage work. But I’d love to hear from any of you as to how you manage this.

Despite the frustration of sizing images, I feel very empowered that I have already completed several pieces that will go from Photoshop to Linda Fisher of Maverick Rose – to become new jewelry pieces! Stay tuned for the final product!

Ok…I’m off to take a shower (it’s 2:30 pm, and I’ve been up since 5 am working on these designs). Today is John’s birthday. I’m cooking a nice, tender roast with potato casserole and of course, chocolate cake!

Hot water, here I come.

Happy Trails!

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 5 Comments »

I love this vintage magazine cover. It symbolizes freedom. Choice. Decision.

I recently made a decision to meet my goals and accomplishments head on by joining Alyson Stanfield’s Artist Breakthough Program.

I’ll receive help and guidance to meet my goals:  1. design 8 new Cowboy’s Sweetheart pendants;  2. design 10 new Buckaroo Bags;  and 3. create two new collage paintings.

The group consists of 12 artists. Quilters. Painters. Photographers. Even a filmmaker!

Some of artists want to organize their studios. Some want to design a website or blog. Others, like me, are determined to complete a body of work or create new work.

The artists are located all across the country – from East to West.

It’s nice to know that I have kindred spirits everywhere who, like me, take their profession seriously – and who are determined to accomplish their goals.

Want to see some wonderful artwork? Then visit the participants:  Lisa Call;  Steve Carl; Ann Cunningham;  Judith G. Glover;  Ingibjorg "Inga" Haudsdottir;  Jamie Lindholm;  Michelle Meeker;  Jen Osborn;  Colleen Bryan Rodgers;  Delilah Smith; Jeff Warmouth;   (and me – but you’re already here!).

We have a conference call every Monday for 4 weeks:  We will check in and discuss how effective we have been on meeting our weekly goals and ask for (or offer) support. My "Action Form" this week (it’s sort of like a contract I’ve made for myself – like a homework assignment) states that I will design 5 Cowboy’s Sweetheart necklaces. I may even get really ambitious and design a few more.

With help from Alyson and all these amazing artists, I am well on my way to meeting my goals.

Do you have some goals to meet, pardner?  Then get on that pony and ride!

Happy Trails.

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 6 Comments »

This is the back of a chunky book page I did with the "oh so creative" Penn Harris.

Participants were to choose a color, describe and "become" it, and create a page for the book. I played with paint on Yupo paper which I used for the background – lots of brown, sepia, and creams.

I can’t show the front just yet, but I had a great time interpreting BROWN. (As in leather, buckskin, buffalo, chocolate, earth, and other things that make me think Brown).

Isn’t this photo of an Indian mother and child wonderful? I love how the baby is staring straight into the camera.

And speaking of cameras, I’m off to upload some photos.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Happy Trails!

Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 4 Comments »