Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Ware.
Hi Courtney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am Courtney, but you can call me Coco! I’m a San Diego native who grew up playing sports year around. I lived and breathed competition and eventually earned a scholarship to play D1 softball at UTEP. Up until this point, art was just something fun to do in my free time. I was more interested in the sciences and chose majors that would put me on the career path to be an animal behavioral trainer or landscape architect, but alas, math kicked my butt and I found myself needing to change majors- for a third time!
I’ve always loved watching the “behind the scenes” sections of DVDs growing up, especially when they showed all the set construction and design that would transport the viewer into a different world. Funnily enough, my school had a degree in doing just that, so I turned my back on the sciences and went full steam ahead into painting and technical theater aka Scenic Art! My thirst for all things creative exploded as I was thrown in to painting backdrops and set pieces to look like all manner of different locations. After graduation I went on to work for professional theaters and helped set the stage for plays like <i>Into the Wood’s</i> and Disney’s <i>Hunchback of Notre Dame</i>! It was a dream come true… but then I made a detour.
I took a 6 month trip to Australia and Papua New Guinea to explore my relationship with God through a missionary organization called YWAM. This trip ruined me for the ordinary, and what was meant to be a 6 month trip turned into 6 years of deep growth and humanitarian aid work. In 2019 I returned home for a much-needed break, but then Covid hit. To ride out the wave of “the Rona” I began selling paintings on Etsy and found my niche painting custom Disneyland spirit jerseys. This was the most fun I’d ever had while painting! Getting to create art that encompassed people’s childhood nostalgia with all the Disney magic (especially during such a tenuous time) was extraordinary! However, I soon realized that this was in fact copyright infringement… so, before I got in over my head, I made a switch back to my first love, scenic art.
Working in theatre has allowed me to stay in the playful spirit of re-creating nostalgic moments from our favorite shows whilst also creating new, bold works that engage audiences in the realities of our cultural climate.
I’ve learned many invaluable skills in the trenches of theatre paint shops in San Diego. Creating faux and specialty finishes, sculptural masterpieces and large scale backdrops has taught me the wonder immersive and well intentioned artwork can evoke. Now, I’m bringing that same wonder (and a touch of whimsy) to your streets, homes and businesses through murals, specialty paint finishes and paint classes! This is the next chapter of my journey as a full-time artist, and I am soaking up every brush stroke. Cheers to a free and creative lifestyle!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth is the last word I would use! More like a windy road with lots of “stop and go” and a bit of off-roading. Making a living as a freelance artist has no formula besides the key ingredients of artistic skill building, flexibility, perseverance and community! There are so many ways to use creativity in today’s world, especially as technology has blossomed and made a way for artists to get their work in front of a larger audience.
One of the biggest hiccups i’ve encountered has been learning digital art. As a traditional artist, I always thought of digital art as “cheating” , not to mention that I am not super tech savvy, so I avoided it at all costs. Fast forward 11 years and the art world has shifted dramatically to include digital art proficiency as a necessary skill, so I endeavored to figure it out. Now, I use it regularly! It has made communicating my ideas 1,000 times easier, so I take back all my former prejudices against it. I use it to level up my project pitches and offer clients more concrete ideas of what is possible. Though I persevered and successfully learned this new skill, it was NOT the biggest hurdle. Learning the business and marketing side of being a freelance artist is.
Business and marketing is an absolute necessity for maintaining a successful art business. E-marketing, social media, taxes and legal odds and ends now take up half of my time as a creative. This is where community comes in. Creatives in San Diego, especially in the mural community, are phenomenal when it comes to networking, offering tips and tricks of the trade, even personalised coaching! There is no “gate keeping” or “lack” mindset when it comes to finding work for those willing to think outside the box, which is what creatives are great at! I’ve learned so much from top muralists who have been generous with their information and it’s made becoming a full time artist, not only possible, but fun! Alongside the perseverance it takes to run a business has been an encouraging group of fellow creatives cheering me on along the path and i’m so appreciative of it!
We’ve been impressed with Coco’s Brush, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am what they call a “multi-passionate creative”. Under the umbrella of Coco’s Brush are three offerings: Murals, Commissioned paintings and prints, and Paint Parties!
1. Murals and specialty paint finishes are my bread and butter. This is where my career as a scenic artist shines and I get to partner with my client to level up their interiors, shift the atmosphere of their home or business, and create brand and marketing tools that people can engage with outside the four walls of a brick and mortar business. I specialize in detailed backgrounds like forest and jungle scapes with fun animals and foliage, but my experience creating designs to fit a specific designer’s vision has made me able to replicate many art styles. I would love to work in schools, daycares, cafes, and restaurants!
2. Original artwork and commissions are the traditional offerings as a painter. These allow clients to get a custom piece of artwork to hang on their walls and move around more freely to fit their space. They vary in size and can be a great addition to your space as conversation starters or as a subtle tool to inspire a peaceful moment amongst a cluttered thought space. I also create and sell my own original paintings and prints.
3. Paint Parties! These art class are offered as private events OR you can join me in a local restaurant or venue. They are great ideas for birthdays, church groups, date nights, girls nights and corporate team building activities. I will guide you step by step through each design, so this is great for beginners and intermediate artists. Choose from my current design catalog OR I can create a custom design to fit your event theme!
I enjoy bringing art to my community in many different ways, each one aimed to bring a touch of whimsy to your everyday spaces.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
As a painter, part of my job is to literally watch paint dry, so I listen to ALOT of podcasts and books on tape. I like to balance my listening between spirtitual/personal growth, something light hearted and a good old murder mystery. Here are some of my favorites from this year!
Podcasts- The Rule of Life- Practicing the Way; The Basement with Tim Ross; The Type Cast by Goodtype and On Your Terms by Sam Vander Wielen
Audio Books- “Fast Like A Girl”; “Throne Of Glass” series; “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder”; “Creativity Inc.”
Shows- The Chosen, Wednesday, Rings of Power, Downton Abbey (the GOAT- this is my comfort show); all the Disney movies
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocos_brush?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cocos_brush?_t=8qk8zUFjTZf&_r=1
