Deb Trotter, Cowboy's Sweetheart

Tags: Alyson Stanfield, Art, Buddha, Calamity Jane, Clint Watson, focus, Lori Woodward Simons, Luann Udell, Robert Genn
Posted in Art and Life, Blogs for Artists | 8 Comments »

Here's one 'hot' picture – literally!

This is my son, Whit, participating in a "Live Burn" over in South Dakota.

It isn't often that I share photos of Whit these days.

One day you wake up, blink your eyes, and your child has suddenly 'become' a man. (And men like their privacy, don't they?) I got his 'permission' before I posted this. I just thought these pics were so cool that I simply wanted to share them.

When I told some of my friends & family back home that our son was majoring in "Fire Science" at college they went ballistic – well, at least my MOM did.

Mom:  Why would he want to DO such a thing?! Its DANGEROUS!"

Me:  Anything can be dangerous. He could get in his own truck, turn the corner, and something bad could happen.

Mom:  Well, there are so many things he's good at. Why can't he do something else?

Me:  Mom, how many people can honestly say they are following their dream? This is what he wants to do, and he's happy doing it. How could we possibly not support him?

(Mom is silent. LOL)

Someday Whit may decide he wants to do something else. That's fine. It's the paths we choose to follow that make us who we are. 

Art found me at a later stage of my life. And I chose to welcome her. We are inseparable now. Just like my son and me.

I have lived my whole life following dreams. I don't regret a single moment. Whit shouldn't regret it. You shouldn't either.

I end this post with few more photos. (They include Whit ~on the right~, his roommate, Cody ~center~, and their friend, Travis~left~)

Ah, the joys of youth! All the possibilities!

I remember it well.

Rock on, guys! Follow your dreams!

Happy Trails!

Tags: fire, Firefighters, follow your dreams, Friends, Live Burn, passion, South Dakota
Posted in Art and Life, Photography, Travel | 2 Comments »

My hubby says he is just now noticing a "theme" running through my art.

Hmmm. Wonder WHAT he could mean?

Happy Birthday, my man hunk! You can leave your boots under my bed for as long as we both shall live!

Tags: Art, cowboy, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Cowgirl, Deb Trotter, humor, vintage photos, Western, Wild West
Posted in Art and Life, Cards & Invitations, Photography | 1 Comment »

Late last week I accompanied my buddy, Jeanna, to a very special Girls Night Out at Reindeer Ranch. This beautiful downtown store is owned by our friend, Jodi Horvath. Jodi wears many hats, including  Santa Artist, Decorating Queen Extraordinaire, Art Supporter, and Marketing Genius. She knows the names of all of her local customers and personally greets them when they enter her store. Jodi kindheartedly promotes local artists whenever she can, and she has been especially supportive of me – so whenever I have the opportunity to participate in one of her special celebrations I always show up with bells on ( well, I chose to substitute bells for cowgirl boots, which in a way make their own kind of music! )

As we entered the front door to pick up our name tags, we were immediately greeted by these cute little moss bunnies. I wanted one for my cowgirl garden, but I had to control myself. Either the wind or deer would have destroyed it outside, or the dogs would have mutilated it inside. ~sigh"  Happy Easter to me – all I ended up with was this picture…

There were all kinds of goodies available for us. A wonderful, fresh spinach salad with freshly crumbled bacon, sauteed almond chips, onions, and a special dressing – a mixture of cloverleaf honey and vinegar. I could have happily eaten another helping, but cheese was on the other side of the sideboard. Can't resist cheese, pardner. I really can't. And in between the salad and the cheese was home made bread, and North Carolina slaw and barbeque! Yee Ha! It was almost like going back home. You haven't lived until you have tasted Carolina barbeque at least once. I have missed it so – and there it was, right before my eyes (and tastebuds). Around the corner were desserts (I won't even go there), as well as wine, hurricanes (I only indulged in one, I promise) punch, coffee, and tea.

In order to earn our raffle tickets, we were given a piece of paper with five questions. There were five places in the store with the answers. We had to search for them. Hiding cleverly in little corners and nooks were pretty little signs in all colors of the rainbow. On each sign was a question (which hinted at the answer), as well as some of Jodi's new merchandise. Clever, how Jodi devised introducing her patrons to new items in the store. She made it such fun!  And … Before we went to the second floor, Jeanna & I both had free massages. Yep. You heard me. FREE MASSAGES! Available right in a nook of the "floral" section. (Now that's what I call treating your customers right!)

As we reached the top of the stairs we discovered Annie (Oakley), the store cat, curled up on a nice stuffed couch. (There was even a question about Annie on our clue page.) True to her feline nature, Annie wasn't the least impressed with her status. She totally ignored us and remained on her throne.

Funny thing – Annie wandered in the store one day – homeless – and has become the Reindeer Ranch mascot. She was originally shy, but is now quite comfortable being the mysterious "talking" cat who tirelessly greets customers.

On the top floor we oogled over all the hand made furniture, art, and decorative accessories. Jodi has kindly displayed some of my work there, and it pleases me how it suits the decor. I was immediately drawn to this GINORMOUS wooden bed – so high one had to literally crawl up in it – topped with a bedspread made completely of beaver fur. I wanted a picture – a fun picture of someone slinking around on that bed, and Jeanna obliged. How often do you find a friend who is willing to pose like a Diva on a beaver pelt?

Here she is, laying on a giant bed that is covered with beaver fur and strewn with leather pillows, for a grand total of $20,000! (No, that does not include Jeanna)!

Doesn't she resemble a sultry vixen, eager to be indulged?

All she needs is a glass of wine and a Goo Goo Doll!

And did this cowgirl every lock onto a cool deal. Check out this fabulous jewelry:

Each of these beaded necklaces were only $19.99. The little pom pom bead bracelets, as well as the beaded wrist bracelet, were each $9.99. Gosh, I don't think you could even buy the beads alone for that price. I ask you – were these a steal, or what?

At the end of the evening, Jodi presented each of us with a huge bag filled with surprises. Scented soap. A soy candle. Hand and foot lotions. Tea. AND … a FABULOUS Navajo rug in red, black, and touches of beige, which now resides on the floor of my studio. (Jodi persuaded local stores to donate the products. Not only was she treating US. She was promoting local merchants at the same time.)

Now, I'm hoping you have gradually begun to recognize a parallel here. A parallel between Jodi, the merchant – and You, the artist.

What I really wanted you to "get" from Jodi's Girls Night Out gathering is that customers who feel special feel like buying. They were immediately greeted by name. They loved being surrounded and pampered with beautiful things, and enjoyed Jodi's little treasure hunt. And they especially loved being surprised with a "thank you" gift at the end of the night.

I'm not proposing that you feed your customers and give away your art. What I AM proposing is that you learn their names and make them feel special. After they purchase something from you, "treat" them with a freebie – cards or postcards featuring your art, a tiny lip gloss with your logo or name (you can find these on Etsy), a 15% off coupon they may redeem if they purchase something else from you in the future. If you're selling at an art show or retreat, make your display attractive – and intriguing enough that potential customers will be drawn to it. And when someone comes to your booth, even if you don't know her (or him), say Hello! Encourage conversation. Talk about your art or the process of creating it. (Sitting back in a chair with a bored expression and your arms crossed does not invite a sale.) And later, keep in touch. Get names, addresses, and emails if you can. Ask them if they mind being sent an email, and note it on your sales slip. (On our "answer" questionnaire, Jodi had us fill out a form with our info so that she could notify us about new merchandise and promotions).Then you can let them know about new artwork and when and where it will be available for sale.

You get the picture (and the sales.)

Your customers get the star tr
eatment (and the art.)

And I get the jewelry …

Happy Trails!

Tags: Art, artists, bunnies, cat, customer service, jewelry, Jodi Horvath, marketing, Reindeer Ranch, sales tips
Posted in Cards & Invitations, Food and Drink, Photography | 1 Comment »

I awoke early this morning. The sun had yet to rise, and the quiet stillness of the house was comforting – even if sleep had eluded me the night before.

I brewed some nutty, rich New Mexico Pinion Nut Coffee (which to me is "comfort food"), and quietly settled into the studio, which I have finally managed to transform into an inspirational sanctuary. I plugged in my chili & red flower lights – instant gratification and pizzaz! Got caught up on email, fiddled with my printer again (I fear it is a lost cause! $$$), and suddenly realized it was actually daylight.

See what I saw through my little window? Above the stained glass light-catcher? (Thank you, Nancy! I still love the colors of that sweet little heart!) SNOW!

I have to admit that at first I wasn't exactly thrilled. Where the heck is spring? When might a Cowgirl expect some sunshine? Warm breezes? The lure of Yellowstone? The smell of thriving Sagebrush?

Not in April. Last year it snowed up until the middle of June. Then again, this IS Wyoming.

So, I grabbed my camera and headed outside. Just look at our backyard!

The snow out here reminds me of lace. Delicate. Pure. Layers of softness. Faded and timeless.

Sometimes I wish spring was still what I have come to know and expect from my native state. In North Carolina, April is mild. Full of dogwoods and pansies. Exploding and unpredictable daffodils. Little wrens nesting in the hanging pots of ivy on the front porch. And sunshine.

Even though I am sick of winter, I have come to know that spring in Wyoming is actually our "prime" snow season. So I may as well settle in and make the best of it. The camera helps.

Elmo wandered out onto the back deck with me. I don't think he is exactly thrilled with the state of things, even though is ancestors are originally from Tibet. He doesn't like getting his feet wet. But isn't he the perfect compliment to all the shades of white that have invaded this little bit of the world?

No, it's not welcome. But isn't it beautiful?

Happy Trails!

Tags: Cody, Cowgirl, Dogs, Photography, snow, Western, Wyoming
Posted in Art and Life, Dogs, Photography | 4 Comments »

Arwen of Rivendale (yes, she's a Princess!)

I have a stamp I purchased over eight years ago. It says, "Dog is God spelled backwards."

God created dogs for a reason.

There's nothing like a dog to tug at a cowgirl's heart.

I grew up with dogs. They were as much a part of my family as any of our kinfolk. They shared our joy. Our sorrow. Made us laugh. Made us cry. Snuggled up to us when we needed comfort. Protected us. Depended on us … and we depended on them.

Some of my Dad's most precious gifts to me were the canine friends he brought home and the treasured memories of him with our family pets. There was Daddy – rolling on the floor with Lady Red. Inviting King to sit on his lap. Lying on the couch with Spook, who lavished Daddy's face with kisses. And there was Daddy, grieving for years after his difficult decision to have Raider, (whose furry Dingo body was finally too old to function), put to sleep.

Our little family out here in Wyoming is not so "little" with four dogs to complete us. Yes, there is dog hair – everywhere. There's the huge plastic garbage can full of Purina Dog Chow in the laundry room that isn't very easy on the eye. There are hair brushes. Whistles. Toys (the big canvas training monstrosities John calls "dead birds" – and "Octopussy," the six legged plush toy for my little Shi Tzu, Elmo). 

There are water bowls in the garage & the kitchen. And always a water trail on the floor left by our two dogs with whiskers. And dog-paw-footprints on the kitchen floor when John, Arwen, and Josie return from a hunt.

And vet bills. (this one deserves its own paragraph. Enough said).

But with all that … there is Elmo sitting beside me in my studio while I create. Arwen running through the house with my panties (gross to a human, but a thrill to a dog). Josie, hurling himself at the garage door when he hears John's truck pull into the driveway. And there is Nick, barking to go out and barking to come in – and lying snuggled up on that big, over stuffed pillow to comfort his arthritic old bones.

Where there are dogs, there is love.

(Outlaw Josie Wales)

Happy Trails!

Tags: Brittany Spaniel, Dogs, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Posted in Art and Life, Dogs, Photography | 6 Comments »