Cotton Studios

Heirloom Jewel Series Makes the LCS News

// June 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Illustration, Studio News

LCS, the Illustration News Portal, publishes a short article about The Heirloom Jewel Series. Check it out!

Win a 20×30 Metallic Print worth $283.75

// June 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // Studio News

Win a 20 x 30 Experiential Jungle Metallic Print!

How do I enter?

There are four methods to earn an entry into the drawing. Drawing Entries will be accepted until 11:59pm on June 3oth.

1. To get 1 entry

Leave a comment on any Blog on this site; Please venture away from this page to do so. (limit 1; not in combination with #2)

2. To get 2 entries

Link to my Blog from your website and comment on my site. Make sure you let me know you have linked to me (limit 1; not in combination with #1)

3. To get 3 entries

You have to already own a piece of art by Rachel for this one! Write a testimonial telling me how my artwork has influenced or enriched your life. (limit 1)

4. To get 5 entries

Book a Commission or Buy an original or print. (no limit)

More Information

1. The maximum number of entries allowed per person is 10. You may use any combination of the entry methods above, but you may not combine entry methods #1 and #2.
2. Comments made on this particular post will not count as entries.
3. If you link to my site from your site, you MUST email me or contact me to let me know so that I can add your additional entry.
4. The drawing will be held Wednesday, July 1st under the supervision of 2 witnesses.
5. The prize will be shipped to the winner free of charge.
6. The Prize winner will be announced the afternoon of July 1st.

Note: The print is NOT framed.

Art in the Park – Americus, Georgia

// April 19th, 2009 // No Comments » // Studio News

Art in Reese Park is a long standing tradition of honoring artists and their work in the quaint, historical town of Americus, Georgia.  Reese Park is a historical park located very close to the downtown area of Americus and is the home to two Confederate Soldier Memorials and many of my own fond personal memories. Americus is my hometown, and I grew up in a house on a block from Reese Park.  I remember going to the annual Art in the Park, even being displayed myself in some of the student art areas. This year I was invited to attend the Art Festival as a working artist, and it was a wonderful experience.

My Booth at Art in Reese Park

I volunteered to share my booth with a local doctor that is also a painter, but he ended up not showing up, so my booth looks a little bare.  The entire park was covered in booths by 20 very talented artisans. We set up chairs outside of our booth to offer friends and family a place to congregate during the festival – many people came and offered their support, and my sales were very impressive considering I had very few originals.  I was also approached to do several commission works, and some of my work can now be found at Cafe Campesino, a VERY AWESOME free-trade coffee roasting and brewing company based in Americus with the most welcoming and knowledgeable staff.

I was featured in a photo in the middle of the Americus Times-Recorder front page, but unfortunately no one could give me a copy and their site leave much to be desired. If anyone has a copy of that article, I will bestow upon you a free print for sending it to me! And Reese Park, I will be back again next year!

The Skinnie Magazine – April Edition

// April 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // Illustration, Studio News

The April Edition of The Skinnie is on the stands, and it features seven full page illustrations by yours truly.  The articles illustrated highlight the different personality types found at The Landings in Savannah, but never fear because these personality types are fairly universal.

Back When Bob

The Golf Geek

Green Jeanne

The Insta_Friend

The Landings Lush

The Reluctant Rebel

The Tennis Temptress

You must read the accompanying articles!

Sarah Meurer and Charles Hendrix over at The Skinnie were wonderful to work with, and I am certain they would be willing to send you a copy of the magazine, if you were to request one for around $3 plus postage.  Send them a shout out or at least let them know how much you enjoy the illustrations!

7 Tutorial Sites for Digital Illustrators

// February 13th, 2009 // No Comments » // Studio News

As an illustrator searching for efficient ways of creating artwork that speaks to my intended audience, I like to explore the methods employed by other artists. Being naturally inquisitive, I like to continually brush up on my skills by learning from others. Even when I know a good deal about the software or the techniques, I find I can still learn tips and tricks by exploration.

Some of the following sites have inspired me to alter the way I create my work while others have simply reinforced my current process.  Personally, I prefer to illustrate traditionally, but I have tinkered a bit with digital practices.  I will share some of the traditional art techniques with you at a later date.

The following is a brief list of some of the digital tutorials I have found useful and/or impressive:

Computer Arts is an excellent resource for, of course, computer artists.  Check out their extensive list of tutorials for all types of design software.

Layers Magazine is a site aimed towards users of Adobe Design Software.  Loaded with information, the site boasts tutorials for Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and more!

Worth1000.com offers great tutorials on Photoshop, inlcuding lighting techniques, creating clouds, and other Photoshop tweaks by award winning professionals.

MyInkBlog is another handy resource.  Andrew Houle offers some very nice tutorials.  He says they are mainly for graphic designers and web designers, but I have found that many of the tutorials are also excellent for digital illustrators.  I particularly enjoyed his tutorial on creating swirls and flourishes. Thanks for giving back, Andrew!

psHero.com offers Photoshop tutorials that are really quite cool.  Plus, Hero is quite a handsome surfer guy!

Northlite Designs out of Minnesota has a short, very helpful tutorial on creating tiling patterns in Illustrator.  As illustrators, we know that patterns can be challenging, so thanks Northlite!  There is also an extensive list of other online tutorials at Northlite. Check it out here.

And for those of you who are in love with Illustrator, aivault.com offers some amazing tutorials on vector graphics as well as a few freebies. Asmaa started out as a traditional artist, but her artistic path lead her to her computer.  She offers tutorials that can help the Adobe Illustrator Beginner to the Intermediate User, including tutorials that address swatches, patterns, and brushes – all of the fun stuff Illustrators love!

If you have any other favorite sites, let us know about them!

Twitter and Your Sketchbook

// February 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Sketchbook, Studio News, The Daily Sketch

For an artist, the sketchbook is a HUGE part of what helps you to grow and flourish, but it is sometimes hard to know what to draw. I highly suggest than an artist draw EVERYDAY. But what happens when we just don’t know what to draw? Follow me on Twitter to receive daily sketchbook assignments or ideas for what to draw.

For Easier Use of Twitter, see the following article by noupe.com that highlights different ways to incorporate Twitter into your day.

25+ Incredibly Useful Twitter Tools and Firefox Plugins.

Also, if anyone has any ideas for sketching that they would like to share, please let me know.  If I use your idea, I will credit you with the idea AND link to your site.

Happy Sketching!

Mail a Card Today!

// February 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // Design, Studio News

The first card design is ready.

You may be asking, “What are you talking about, Rachel?  You’ve done cards before.”

Well, this is different.  You pick a card from my short yet ever increasing card designs, give me the address of the person you are sending it to, the custom inside message, and your address, and for $4.00 I mail the card for you – with a real stamp!!!  The card will arrive within 3-5 days depending on the postal services promptness.

I will have saved you the time and gas it takes to get to the store then the post office.  Plus you get to make the inside say anything you like!

And the first card…  Drum Roll Please…

Enter Your Message Here

A Switch in Our Outlook

// February 2nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Inspiration, Studio News

Here at Cotton Studios, we have decided to make a concerted effort to use our site as a way to help and inspire other artists.

Starting today, follow us on Twitter!  WE will offer creative ideas each day.  Our intention is that these ideas will inspire artists to approach their sketchbooks without the dread of “what will I draw today?”

We will also offer tips and tricks for Artists to become successful online and in the gallery scene.  We are still ironing out the wrinkles in our plans to improve Cotton Studios site as a resource for artists.  If you have any suggestions or ideas, feel free to send your ideas to Rachel, or leave a message below.

The New Shop is no longer open

// January 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Studio News, The Biz of Art

Sorry, Guys, but I just couldn’t handle the particluar plug-in I used for the shop.  The navigation was terrible, the formatting detestable – YUCK!!  So, I have taken it down, BUT I can still get you anything you desire that has my work on it.  And remember, I can always do a specially commissioned piece of art – just for you!

Until, I redo the shop, you can go to My Red Bubble store to buy high quality prints, cards, and even some t-shirts.

Happy Day!

The New Shop is Open!!

// January 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Studio News, The Biz of Art

The New Shop at Cotton Studios is now open for business.

There may be some kinks to work out, and I am not certain I am a fan of the navigation, but check it out!