Deb Trotter, Cowboy's Sweetheart

Introducing the new ‘Cowboy’s Sweetheart’ Cowgirl on Wordpress!

It’s been almost five years since I began blogging about art, Cowgirls, and the Wild West. For most of that time I’ve used ‘Cowgirl Bess’ (whom you see ‘in transition’ above) to brand myself as a Cowgirl Artist.

It’s been a fun, challenging, and rewarding life acting as the official ‘Artist Rodeo Queen’ of Cowboy’s Sweetheart. As Gus would say to Woodrow in Lonesome Dove, “It’s been one hell of a ride!”

I’m still happy in my creative saddle – but I’m ready for a change, and so is Bess. So here we are on Wordpress, doing what Cowgirls do. Gettin’ better all the time.

Bess wants more than red hair, a sassy attitude, a fast horse, and a rugged Cowboy. She’s ready to embrace a more stylish persona, which may (or may not) result in diamonds around her neck and rhinestones on her boots. Right now she’s a blond bombshell of a Cowgirl with a fringed skirt and suede boots. Tomorrow … who knows?

And me … Deb Trotter, the artist? I want more than to follow a trail … I want to blaze one. These days, I create art more and more in Photoshop – a passion that has ‘morphed’ into another career. Now a licensed artist, I enjoy designing savvy art for manufacturers who produce everything from fashion accessories to home products and greeting cards.

I’ve also come to realize that Deb Trotter, the blogger, wants a little bit more these days than Typepad. (That’s not to say that Typepad isn’t a great blogging platform. It’s served me quite well for a coon’s age and I’m grateful.) Today, however, I want a blog that is more dynamic, interactive, fun, and appealing. I want a blog with more design options and cool plugins.

So, I went for it. I chose some colors and original artwork. Considered my blog’s first impression. Re-evaluated what was working for me and what wasn’t. I was psyched and ready to ‘get ‘er done.’

Then? Uh Oh.

I came to the conclusion that I didn’t have the time – or the knowledge – to do everything myself. At least not in a timely fashion.

So I contacted a fabulous blog and twitter designer, Nap Warden. She also designed my ‘Wanted’ blog buttons you see here in the sidebar, and created a custom background for my Twitter page.

I can’t recommend her highly enough, and I couldn’t be more excited about my new, self-hosted Cowboy’s Sweetheart blog.

In my next post I’d like to share some of the things I’ve learned during this blogging transition:  amusing (and not so amusing) tidbits, great resources, and things I still have yet to learn.

In the mean time, click on the ‘About’ Tab at the top of this page to learn more about me and my new blog.

Here we go, pardner. Slip off your boots, grab a cup of coffee, and have fun.

Happy Trails!

Tags: Art, Artist, Blogging, Cody Wyoming, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Cowboys, Cowgirls, Deb Trotter, Digital Art, Licensing, Mixed Media Art, Nap Warden, Vintage Cowgirl, Western, Wild West, Wordpress, writing
Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 3 Comments »

I had planned to feature another Photoshop artist today, but I have something else to share that many artists will be excited about.

Check this out!

Artist Tara Reed (who is also a dynamic licensing coach), has introduced a fabulous new product that shows you how to design products for licensing. Cool things – like dinnerware, glassware, cards, gift bags, boxes,etc. Tara has created thorough, informative, and comprehensive video tutorials for each and every product. And she also provides great photos of the products which you are free to use to for producing your own mock-up art products. 

Just imagine. All you have to do is add your own artwork to the products. Simply follow her instructions, practice the steps she shows you on the video, and you're on your way to a fantastic portfolio to show companies how your art can compliment their products. Prospective clients don't have to 'visualize' your ideas – they can actually SEE them.

How cool is that?

This new Mock-U Magic video CD would normally cost $87 (which is, in itself, steal), but right now Tara is offering it for a pre-production price of only $ 67. You have until October 20th to take advantage of the savings. After that, the cost for the CD will be $ 87. Just follow this link to order your copy now.

I can't recommend this product enough. This is the best thing to come along for art licensing in – like – forever!

This video ROCKS!

I can hardly WAIT to get my CD.

Now, go get yours. And have fun creating!

Happy Trails!

Tags: art licensing, Artist, licensed products, licensing coach, Mock- Up Magic, Tara Reed, Tara Reed Designs, video tutorial
Posted in Art Techniques, Blogs for Artists, Cards & Invitations, Digital Art, Licensing Your Art, Photoshop | No Comments »

All collage artists know this to be true. Sometimes, no matter how many photos you have in your collection, you just can't find the perfect picture.

I've been working on some beach-themed cards for a client. (Hard to believe, I know. What's up with a Wild West cowgirl going 'coastal'?) But the request was a chance to explore other sides of me – it's good to stretch a little. It also brought back memories of the sunny life in North Carolina. So why not?

Why not, indeed.

Except that I needed a gal in a bathing suit with a voluptuously BIG butt.

See, I had this specific idea for the card, and no other type of woman would do.

Besides being a woman with an 'outstanding' Bum, she needed to be a little bit cynical and not exactly a spring chicken.

Thanks goodness for Photoshop's "Liquify" tool.

I practiced a few Photoshop YouTube tutorials, and in spite of the fact that the results aren't perfect, they made all the difference.

Check it out.

I tried to exaggerate her age – and her thighs, butt, and legs – but I left her arms thin, so as to really call attention to the lower part of her body. Not exactly right in terms of reality. But with art you can do whatever the heck you want to make a statement, right?

I can't show the finished card right now, but when the company has the catalog ready for its clients I'll be free to give you some small sneak peeks.

Thank you, Photoshop!

And Happy Trails!

Tags: Art Cards, art licensing, Beach, Deb Trotter, Digital Art, Photoshop's Liquify Tool
Posted in Art Techniques, Art and Life, At the Beach, Blogs for Artists, Cards & Invitations, Digital Art, Licensing Your Art, Photography, Photoshop, Travel | No Comments »

Note this name: Marco Escobedo.

Be it surreal collage, vivid fantasy, science fiction, ghostly photo manipulation, or symbolic photomontage – Marco is a true genius in every sense of the word.

And oh, the detail!

See for yourself. 

                                "Pensamientos"

                                "Natural Beauty"

                                    "Jesus Christ" (Detail)

                                  "Cries of War"

                                  "The Great Impact"

                                   "Ghost"

You can see more of Marco's inspiring digital photoshop art by visiting his Flickr page here.

Phenomenal.

Tags: Art, Artist, Collage, Digital Art, Marco Escobedo, photo manipulation, Photoshop, surrealism
Posted in Art Techniques, Art and Life, Blogs for Artists, Digital Art, Photography | 1 Comment »

I can't tell you how many times people have asked to see a photo of my friend & Buckaroo Bag pardner, Karna Morton.

Now's your chance.

Here we are, Karna on the Left, Me on the right. (No jokes about Mutt & Jeff, please. I know who I'd be.) 

 (photo courtesy of Jeanna Kennedy, Goo Girl)

As you can see, Karna is tall, thin, gorgeous. She is just as happy & fun as she looks in this photo – a sweet, sweet friend with a big old heart the size of Wyoming. One heck of a seamstress too. Extremely creative, with a sharp eye, an incredible sense of style, and an innate talent for mixing colors & patterns. And boy, can she carry off a pair of cowgirl boots! Yee Ha! Just goes to show ya, even a Minnesota farm girl with a Can Do attitude can turn into a cowgirl at the drop of a hat.

While my artwork serves as inspiration for our one of a kind handbags, Karna is the artist who deserves the credit. Ideas just whip out of her faster than you can say, "Ride 'em Cowboy!" And she is so skilled a seamstress that she can create new patterns & whip up five or six Buckaroo Bags, along with all the layers of ribbon, fringe, and trim, faster than I can create one new piece of art.

By now Karna is blushing, so I'll quickly tell you about the Boot Scootin' Boogie.

We demo-ed outside the Plush Pony, along with several other artists, who displayed their cool jewelry. The whole main street in downtown Cody was filled with scads of local folks, as well as visitors from all across the US. You could drop by storefronts anywhere, see cool art & merchandise, and treat yourself to complimentary & delicious food, coffee, yummy sweets, and my personal favorite – a nice glass of wine.

And talk about a cool western style fashion show! So many cool boots, belts, leather jackets, & skirts for all cowgirls and cowgirls at heart. I would kill for something like Suzanne M. M. Warner's loom woven trade belt (available for purchase from Thea Marx's Contemporary Western Design website - which by the way, is not to be missed).

(photo courtesy of contemporarywesterndesign.com)

The Boot Scootin' Boogie (the brainchild of the Queen Maven of Western Design, Thea Marx) was just one of many events held in conjunction with Cody's Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, sponsored by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

I have to brag a bit more about another friend, artist, Steve Schrepferman.

Steve won the prestigious William E. Weiss Award during Cody's Rendezvous Royale on the final night of this yearly arts celebration. If you want to see perfection from the hand of a master, here it is …

(photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center)

Mother's Touch
Steve Schrepferman

Earthenware, 23 x 24 x 9 inches

Retail Price: 7,500
Artist Statement:
I love how ceramics blend earth with water, fire and air. I wanted to
leave evidence of these elements in this piece, showing the
timelessness of water washing across rock like the soothing touch of a
mother.

Congrats, Steve!

Hugs to my friend & "Material Girl," Karna!

I bow to you, our true "Cowgirl Diva," Thea!

And Rock On, Cody, Wyoming!

I wish ALL my friends could have been here – and that includes YOU.

Happy Trails!

Tags: Boot Scootin' Boogie, Cody Wyoming, Cowgirl, Deb Trotter, Karna Morton, Steve Schrepferman, Thea Marx, Western Art
Posted in Art and Life, Blogs for Artists, Cody Wyoming, Food and Drink, Photography, Travel | 4 Comments »