Interview with Artist Reina Cottier

Reina Cottier

Tairua, New Zealand

I live between crystal filled mountains and a beautiful surf beach!

Good morning, Reina, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors.  It is a pleasure to have you with us this morning.  I've admired your work for a long time.  How would you describe your artwork? 

Colourful, flowing, capturing essences  of sea, earth,  varied cultures, with a 

positive uplifting energy.

What is your favorite art medium? 

Acrylic paint


Favorite food.I love ALL food, ok ...absolutely fave? Sushi,... although my Mums shepherds pie is awesome!


Coffee or tea.I’m a tea girl through and through :)


Ice cream or pizza?If its Gelato, then icecream. Otherwise, pizza! -with lots of anchovies & olives!


Where would you like to visit?
Somewhere I haven’t already been, like,... Vietnam or South America.


Favorite music.
Not one fave, but top faves are: David Gray, Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, U2, Mozart, Gypsy Kings, love the blues as well. 


Do you listen to music when you work? Yes absolutely a must, zones me out...or in… or both! What? all of the above - I alternate between favourite radio staion and CD’s.Everything! 






How old were you when you started creating art?
I'm one of those as soon as I could hold a crayon, I was drawing, colouring, creating, it never stopped. I took art as an optional subject right through school.

We all like to draw, paint, etc., but we couldn’t make a living doing it.  When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Professionally? After I had kids, once they were at an age where they were self sufficient enough to give me the time to  dedicate to making my art a business as well.

When did you know you made the right decision?

From day one I knew I was doing something that fulfilled something massive inside of me and when I started selling almost eveything I was painting,  combined with the happiness/contentment I got out of it, I knew for sure I was on the right path for me.

What advice would you have for someone aspiring to became a professional artist?
Go for it, but be discerning, and believe in yourself.  Know that not everyone will love your art, and thats ok...not everyone has to. If you want to make a living from it, then your art will have to appeal to some, and you need to find that ‘some’. The internet has been very successful for me, but its not everyone’s cup of tea… others prefer exhibitions, galleries etc.  I prefer alot of client interaction, so FB and Twitter, and my blog are my tools for marketing an building relationships with people, learning their story and them mine.



Who is the one person in your personal life that has had the most profound effect on you, and why?
My mother. Highly intelligent, she is a true artsy/crafty eccentric. She put her craft before anything else and is what I and many other described as ‘gifted’ with her talents. She taught me how to be true to what you are doing, to focus and to finish. She was also incredibly open minded for her generation and always made sure I could talk to her about absolutely anything. She encouraged me to search for my own answers rather than take what others are saying as utter truth. She was the mother who was giving me tarot cards & Linda Goodmans Star Signs book when I was16 for Christmas,  while all my friends were getting the latest clothes etc. She taught me about Sacred Geometry when I was a kid, encouraged me to think about UFO’s, reincarnation, and anything that was not considered the ‘norm’.   A quick witted, funny, generous, kind, fantastic woman who I love to bits.

What does the artist Reina Cottier find funny?
I'm one of those people that finds the humour in everything, my kids are a constant source of humour for me, even when they are being very serious. My partner is hilarious, and I laugh at myself all the time. British Comedy too,  I was raised on it.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I am influenced by the beach, the mountains, the energy of the land, different cultures, experiences with people and life... I love colour, so anything that is vibrant and full of love/light just shines to me, and the loves are automatically more intense.  I then have an urgent desire to get that "feeling" onto a canvas.

What do you do when you get artist's block? 

I have never experienced a total block, but when I have too much going on in my personal life, leaves me tired, and  no time to breathe and feel properly, so creativity lessens. 

What is your favorite sculpture?

My partner Jerry is a sculptor, and I love his creations. A local sculptor here, Christine Hatton is amazing too, I really resonate with her sculptures.

Best book you ever read.

 Any of Louise L Hay or  Echart Tolle..., and Richard Bransons autobiography! omg it was incredible, thrilling, such an adventure, what a man.

Last book you read.

Rod. - Rod Stewarts autobiography. Needed a book to read on a plane trip, and it was the only one that appealed at the airport book store. Surprisingly hilarious and easy to read, I really enjoyed it.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?  

My Dad, because he passed away 6 years ago and it would be awesome to talk to him about how much my life has changed in that time, how proud of me I know he would be, and to just bask in his unconditional love & acceptance of me. We were close.

Do you have some links for us to follow you?

FB: www.facebook.com/reinacottierart

Twitter: www.twitter.com/reinacottierart
Blog: www.reinacottierart.wordpress.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/reinacottierart

Carol is away today. This is a repeat post. 

Waiting for Richard Needs Your Help!

5Waiting For Richard

ByAmazon Customeron September 4, 2014

Format: Kindle Edition

Another excellent story from Carol Ann Kauffman. This time Richard and Nicole are an elderly pair who have recently met but have been missing their other half for their entire lives. Nicole is a children's author trying to track down her friend's brother and Richard is working with elephants in an Australian zoo.

This book isn't just a love story. There's a little bit of mystery and intrigue added in too. And the course of true love doesn't run smoothly. I was willing Nicole (Skye) to make the correct choice and choose to be with Richard - not break both their hearts by being too afraid to take a leap and be with him. Does she? You'll have to read it and find out ;)

Waiting for Richard has eight great reviews, but for me to advertise it on a bigger scale and get it on major review sites, it needs ten reviews. It is a Time After Time novella. It's not long and is a fun, easy read. If you would be willing to review it, I will send you the kindle version as a gift. 

Remember, you do not need a kindle to read kindle books. There is a free kindle app that allows you to read them on your tablet, phone, laptop, and other electronic devices.

The Time After Time series follows a couple through their many lifetimes together, at different times, in different places, in different eras, sometimes on different planets. They do not need to be read in order.

Comment below to receive your free copy to review.

Thank you,

Carol 

I love the Art of BERYL COOK!

Girls in a Taxi

Dear Gentle Readers,

   While checking by Facebook Author Page for activity, I came across a post from my friend and fellow art enthusiast, Elizabeth Monroe, and at first, I was a little taken by surprise.  Was there a photographer following my female family members and me around town?  Do I have the dreaded...(gasp)...paparazzi?

After I decided this wasn't really us, I found these prints to be delightful and lighthearted.  And fun.  I hope you will enjoy these "Ruebens with a sense of humor," Botticellis with a big-bunned sense of humor, Bouchers On Carbos, Montaubans Wearing Clothes, I could go on and on...and on. 

Hugs,

Carol  


                                                                                        The Art Studio

Directly from Wikipedia:

                                                                                          "Beryl Cook,(10 September 1926 – 28 May 2008) was an English artist best known for her original and instantly recognisable paintings of people enjoying themselves in pubs, girls shopping or out on a hen night, drag shows or a family picnicking by the seaside or abroad – tangoing in Buenos Aires or gambling in Las Vegas. She had no formal training and did not take up painting until middle age. She went to Kendrick Grammar School located in Reading, Berkshire, England.

Cook was a shy and private person, often depicting the flamboyant and extrovert characters she would like to be. She had an almost photographic memory.

Cook started painting when living in Southern Rhodesia with her husband and young son, and     continued to paint on returning to England during the 60’s, but only began to sell her work in the mid 70’s

She found new material for her work while travelling. Early local scenes expanded those depicting Buenos Aires, New York, Cuba, Paris and Barcelona.


                          The Park

Cook admired the work of the English visionary artist Stanley Spencer, his influence evident in her compositions and bold bulky figures, as well as several of her pictures depicting a similarly religious aspect; e.g. Noah, The Virgin and Jonah & The Whale. Another influence was Edward Burra, who painted sleazy cafes, nightclubs, gay bars, sailors and prostitutes, although, unlike Burra, she did not paint the sinister aspects of scenes. She was described by Victoria Wood as "Rubens with jokes". Beryl Cook's work can be seen in context with the British tradition of social realist painters and could be described as a twentieth century Hogarth or Gilray, although she had a more sympathetic view of the human race. She was, like them above all a social observer. In 1979 a film was made about Beryl Cook for LWT's South Bank Show. The TV company Tiger Aspect made two half-hour award winning animated films of Beryl Cook's irrepressible women who meet at Plymouth'sDolphin Pub. Entitled 'Bosom Pals' had an all star cast of voices with Dawn French, Rosemary Leach, Alison Steadman andTimothy Spall. They were screened on BBC1 in February 2004.
                                                                                                                          The Red Umbrella

Beryl Cook was made an O.B.E. in 1995. In 2005 Channel 4 News presented a short film of Beryl and her work, she was also the featured artist in The Culture Show in 2006. Beryl Cook's paintings have been acquired by Glasgow Museum of Modern Art, Bristol City Art Gallery, Plymouth Art Gallery and Durham Museum. The Baltic, Gateshead had a major Beryl Cook Exhibition in 2007, and a full retrospect exhibition was put on by Plymouth University after her death in November and December 2008. In 2010 several of Beryl Cook's paintings were loaned to Tate Britain for their exhibition 'Rude Britannia – British Comic Art', Bristol City Art Gallery and Museum held a retrospective exhibition in 2011.

                    Cha Cha Cha              

Publications : 'The Works' ( John Murray 1978   ) 'Private View' ( John Murray 1980 ) 'Seven Years and a Day' ( Collins 1980 ) 'One Man Show' ( John Murray 1981 ) 'Bertie and the Big Red Ball' ( John Murray 1982 ) 'My Granny was a frightful bore' ( Chrysalis Books 1983 ) 'Beryl Cook's New York' ( John Murray 1985 ) 'Beryl Cook's London ( John Murray 1988 ) 'Bouncers' ( Gollancz 1992 )'Happy Days' ( Gollancz 1995 ) 'Cruising' (Gollancz 2000 ) 'Beryl Cook: ' The Bumper Edition ' ( Gollancz 2000 )'The World of Beryl Cook' by Jess Wilder & Jerome Sans ( Prestel 2007 ) revised by Jess Wilder in 2008 ( Prestel ) 'Rude Britannia- British Comic Art, Catalogue Tate Britain 2010. www.berylcook.co



None of these photos or background articles are mine; nothing is my own work except for the first paragraph.  All information is from:
www.wikipedia.com
www.berylcook.com
www.amazon.com
www.cheap-r.com
www.berylcookprints.com

TIMELESS HONOR by Amber Daulton

Dear Gentle Readers,
This morning we have the cover reveal for Amber Daulton's new time travel romance, Timeless Honor. 

Jaye Ramsey decided to prove to her eccentric grandmother that time travel only existed in movies by vacationing in Bolivia with her friends. 

When she woke up in Hawksatter, England, 1735—the same town her grandmother supposedly vanished from as a young woman—Jaye found refuge at a hunting lodge but the strapping, reclusive baron who took her in reminded her all too well she was a lone woman at his mercy.

Accused of murdering his newly-wedded wife a decade earlier, Lord Lucas Kenway closed the family farm and shut out the world. He never expected the little spitfire he claimed responsibility for would turn his quiet life upside down. 

Pushed together by fate and his meddling servants, Lucas wanted Jaye on his own terms and refused to surrender his hardened heart. 

Then a mysterious wise man offered Jaye a way home.Should she return to the future and the only life she’d ever known, or stay in an uncertain past as a stranger in a new world?

 Tears burned in her eyes and her strong façade crumbled. “I’m dreaming. I fell down a rabbit hole and hit my head. Now I’m in the middle of a strange, vivid dream. A wonderland. Yeah, that explains it.”
“I assure you, madam, this is no dream.”

A hysterical laugh crawled up her throat. “Madam? Why are you so proper and polite all of a sudden? Call me Jaye.” She stomped toward the trunk, pulled her cell phone out of her purse and then held the device up in every corner for a signal. Lucas’s eyebrows arched to his hairline as she climbed up on a table to reach the ceiling beams, but she didn’t care how crazy she looked or acted. Jaye hopped back down and opened a web browser but the page wouldn’t load. She tried to track her location via GPS but a ‘Location Not Found/No Satellite Access’ window popped up on the screen. Vomit rose in her throat and she shoved the phone back in her purse. “This is one messed-up dream. Real men like you aren’t this hot, even if you are a little scruffy.”

Lucas pressed his palms to his face. “I’m rather comfortable, not hot.”

Another laugh escaped her mouth. She stumbled backward toward the fireplace, but the stranger grabbed her arm and pulled her to him before she hit the mantel. Jaye tripped over her feet and landed hard against his chest. His arms wrapped around her as though to keep her steady. Her laughter died. His chest and arms felt too real, too warm and strong, and his brown eyes deepened like pools of melted chocolate as he stared at her.

She gulped. “You’re real, aren’t you?”

He gripped her forearms and easily set her away from him. “Flesh and blood.”

Jaye wiped away her tears, grateful he didn’t try to comfort her. “I have one more question, but you’ll think I’m crazy.”

“You haven’t proven yourself sane in the least, so please do.”

Her cheeks heated. “That’s probably true from your point-of-view.” She forced air down her throat and breathed out through her nose. “What year is it?”

Lucas frowned. “It’s 1735 in the reign of King George the Second.”

“Oh God.”

Writing is the fruit to happiness. 

Amber Daulton lives her life by that one belief even though she normally isn’t so Zen. 

Author of six novellas, she published her first book in 2012 and hopes to publish countless more in the future. As a fan of contemporary, paranormal and historical novels alike, she can’t get enough of feisty heroines and alpha heroes. Her mind is a wonderland of romance and adventure, laughter and awesome ways of kicking a guy when he’s down. She probably wouldn’t be too sane without her computer and notebooks. After all, what’s a girl to do when there are people jabbering away in her head and it’s hard to shut them up? Write! Nothing else works.

Social Media Links

Blogsite – http://amberdaultonauthor.blogspot.com/

Facebook Author Page – www.facebook.com/amber.daulton.author

Twitter – https://twitter.com/AmberDaulton1

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Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624921.Amber_Daulton

Amazon Author Page – http://amzn.to/14JoZff 

LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/pub/amber-daulton/87/538/368 

Google Plus – plus.google.com/u/0/110099048961325762869/about/p/pub

Books to Go Now – http://bookstogonow.com/tb-author/amber-daulton/