Land & Water is a culmination of many landscape and nature experiences.
I love being outdoors; it grounds me to the earth, helps me stay present in my body, and allows me to experience life through my heart and intuition/gut.
Dragging my fingertips across the surface of the water, recovering from a small downhill slide while descending a mountain peak or a simple hike, or paddleboarding on a deep mysterious ocean—all these experiences fill my soul with curiosity, foster courage, and fuel my creativity.
No matter how conceptual my art becomes, I use my story and post-traumatic growth to share and help others, it consistently circles back to landscapes: an ocean horizon, a riverbank along the Colorado River, or an aerial view of the land from an airplane come to mind.

My affection for the outdoors and outdoor activities stems from bike rides and beach walks with my grandfather, D.B. Cotton, who once remarked, while gazing at the surf, “the world’s best psychiatrist.” My father, Jim Cotton, also nurtured this passion, teaching me the exhilaration and joy that comes from pushing oneself to climb mountains or ski their rugged terrain.

To see more day to day about my art follow me on Instagram @courtneycottonetal