Deb Trotter, Cowboy's Sweetheart

You probably don’t think of the “Wild West” as peaceful.

I’m here to tell you that it is.

You haven’t lived until one winter day, you open your door to the silent reverie of a little doe – silhouetted against a snow covered pine.

An hour later I may think the deer is gone … only to discover that she has moved to my backyard. Right outside, by the patio – delicately munching the tender grass that is hidden under nature’s purest blanket.

Part of the “Wild” out here is the freedom to BE wild.

As 2010 looms ahead, I encourage you to embrace YOUR wild side – and to follow your own ‘Wild West’ spirit. Wherever that may be.

Tags: "old west", 2010, Artist, Cody Wyoming, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Deb Trotter, Photography, Photoshop, Vintage Cowgirl, Wild West
Posted in Art and Life, Blogs for Artists, Cody Wyoming, Photography, Photoshop, Western Cowgirl Art | 1 Comment »

I awoke this morning to clouds of Cowboy Snow. Cowboy Snow – just in time for Christmas.

If you’ve ever seen Cowboy Snow, you would know that it has its own way of doing things.

It is a deliberate snow. A determined snow. A slow, “steady on its feet” snow.

Cowboy Snow doesn’t stop to rest. Has a gentle hand. Knows its territory.

In short, Cowboy Snow is a snow that you can depend on.

And it seemed to know I needed a white blanket of silent comfort for Christmas.

Silent Comfort. That’s what a Cowboy is to me.

So here I am, thinking about what it might have been like one hundred years ago, in this very same place. Here … in Cody, Wyoming.

What IF … ?

What if I were a Cowgirl, and my Cowboy (my Silent Comfort) was far away on a cattle drive – and I was home, watching over our horses and our little Rocky Mountain cabin?

On Christmas Eve I might saddle up on Silent Star – my little Appaloosa – and ride into town.

We would stop at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel. The glimmer of gas lights would beckon. I would tie Silent Star to the hitching post, plant a kiss on her nose, and amble into the bar.

I’d stomp the Cowboy Snow from my boots, tip my Cowgirl Hat, and order a Sasparilla. Then I would silently sneak into the adjoining room just to take a peek at the Christmas tree.

I would imagine “Clay” there with me.

Clay is a good name for my Cowboy. It is a name that belongs to the earth – rooted in scent of pine and sagebrush. A name that is the color of poinsettias just before they bloom.

Clay is comfort – Silent Comfort.

Clay is Christmas. Clay is the snow.

Here we are – “Clay” in spirit – me in the flesh. And the tree, in its Victorian splendor … glowing from the light of those wax candles.

I realize how much I love Christmas. My Cowboy. My horse. My home. Cowboy Snow.

And my life.

I stand here in this glowing framework of my Old West fantasy and can think of only one other thing to tell you …

I wish you love, light, comfort and joy – and the pleasure of a real Cowboy Snow at some point in your life time.

I wish you Silent Comfort … a very Merry Christmas.

Tags: "old west", Art, Artist, Blogging, Christmas, Cody WY, Cody Wyoming, Collage, cowboy, Cowboy's Sweetheart, Cowgirl, Deb Trotter, Digital Art, mixed media, Photoshop, vintage, Western, Wild West, Wild West Wednesday
Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 2 Comments »

James Chartrand (of Copyblogger) announced yesterday that ‘he’ wears panties!

“WHAT?” you ask? Who IS James Chartrand … and what do I care about his underpants?
Furthermore, what is Copyblogger, and what does it have to do with ME?

James Chartrand is an expert at writing copy and headlines that work, as well as how to make your blog a big winner for search engines. He is highly respected and followed on every imaginable social network.

Only yesterday, his followers discovered something shocking … James is not the MAN we thought he was. James is a WOMAN.

Right now his/her confession is all over Twitter, and the talk of the internet. The discussions that have resulted from James’ disclosure are hotter than Sam Elliot’s mustache (and you know THAT’s hot!)

And Copyblogger? It’s a fabulous, informative blog that is so addictive, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

If you have ANY kind of business presence on the web, read it.
If you want to increase your readership & comments, read it.
If you want to make your writing better, read it.
If you want to sell your art, your writing, or yourself, read it.

And if you enjoy witty, engaging posts by talented writers … read it, read it, read it.

Now – back to James and his (er – HER) underpants …

In yesterday’s Copyblogger post, James spilled the beans. He is a She. Someone who chose a secret identity due to gender bias and a low salary – with young children to care for by herself.

Being known as “James” has resulted in her success, both personally and professionally.

It was a BIG confession and a BIG gamble. (When you read it, you’ll see).

The post was especially pertinent to women and gender discrimination … but it also has much to say about the paths we choose and how they may affect us.

More often than not, comments to James’ post have addressed pseudonyms and perception. Are we really who we appear to be on our blogs? And if our blog is good and its information is beneficial to so many, does it really matter if that we don’t use our real name? Or that we ‘pose’ as one gender, nationality, race, or personality – in order to put food on the table?

I was so intrigued by James’ post and the comments that followed (so far there are 425 comments), that I created a fun piece of art in response.

If you haven’t read yesterday’s Copyblogger, you won’t totally ‘get it.’ But you might like to study the art for a bit and see what it says to you – even if you don’t know the whole story.

Take note of the women who appear in the artwork. Do you recognize them? If so, let me know. I’d love to hear your ‘take’ on the artwork – AND on James’ post.

I promise, if you visit Copyblogger at this link, you will be so moved by James’ post …

You’ll either be sympathetic, or you’ll be angry … and perhaps even a bit confused.

But you won’t leave Copyblogger bored. And you may even want to join in on the discussions there – or to start a dialogue on your OWN blog.

Better yet – you might become as ‘hooked’ on James Chartrand and Copyblogger as I am.

And when you leave Copyblogger, ask yourself if you appear to be who you really are – and if it matters.

It’s time to wake up and think about how we treat others, how they treat us – AND what we choose to do about it.

Rock on, James! You are one Cool Cowgirl (or CowBOY?).

And you have my respect and admiration.

Tags: Art, Art and Life, Artist, copyblogger, copywriting, Deb Trotter, Digital Art, James Chartrand, marketing, panties, popular blogs, pseudonyms, vintage inspired, Weblogs
Posted in Western Cowgirl Art | 2 Comments »

Whether you’re a Cowgirl or a Cowgirl At Heart, you’ll love these Cool Cowgirl gifts!

My hubby is always asking what I’d like for Christmas, so I did a little research and came up with these fabulous finds.

Get on your Cyber Pony and bring a big saddle bag … you’ll need lots of room to stash the ‘loot.’

Here are just a few of my favorite Christmas gifts for Cool Cowgirls …

Vacquera Cowgirl Couture

Cowgirl & Company

Cowgirl Whimsy

Heart of A Cowgirl

Smith & Western Online

Flying Cloud Gifts

GigglyGirl Designs on Etsy

Sheplers Online Corral Sniptoe Boots

A girl can never have too much jewelry – the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans apron is sure to make you cute in the kitchen … even if you don’t cook. And aren’t the apron and the ‘chili’ china a perfect match?

Best of all are those FABULOUS boots. (I need more boots like a hole in my head, but I’m hoping there will be some Cowgirl Boots under my tree anyway.)

Now … put on your Cowgirl Hat. Give your Cowboy (any lovin’ man will do) a kiss and show him this post.

If you’re lucky, one of these Cowgirl goodies could end up under the Christmas tree!

PLEASE NOTE: I am receiving no money or merchandise for mentioning the products and/or items above. They are simply items on my personal ‘Wish List.’