Meet Courtney Dore | Artist & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Dore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always had a deep connection to visual art throughout my life. I love the way that design is part of every corner of our lives – the packaging at the grocery store, a mural we drive by on our way to work, the art we hang in our homes that speaks to who we are. Being an artist who can create work that people feel connected to and brings them joy is such a great feeling. I wanted to pursue a creative career because I love that moment when someone sees my work and they pause to notice the colors and line on paper; they see something they like and it’s this simple human expression that we all have.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
With my art, I try to bridge my background in printmaking with my interest in graphic design. I think the clean, crisp nature of my work sets me apart from others as I tend to focus on using dynamic colors that pop and flow together seamlessly and a limited color palette and clean line work that helps define the work and draw the eye. Recently I’ve been focusing on creating art that has utility. People love to see well designed items that they can also use. I don’t tend to see my work as fine art. I take a different approach that is more accessible and utilitarian. I think people deserve to have usable items in their lives that they enjoy also how they look. Recently I painted a large mural and a public space. It feels really fulfilling to make work that exists in the public, that anyone can walk past it and for a moment see something creative and artistic that breaks us out of that daily grind. I love that graphic design makes art attainable for people outside of a formal gallery setting. I’m learning that I have to open my mind to the ways in which my artistic skills can be applied to objects and places that could benefit from the marks I make with my art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite things to do in Fort Collins is the first Friday Art Walk. It’s a great opportunity to visit local businesses and meet local artists showing their work. I love walking through Old Town enjoying the large trees and the lights. You never know what you will find walking the streets, there are so many talented people playing live music, dancing, I’d also absolutely take them off the Poudre Canyon. There are so many amazing natural spaces in Northern Colorado and endless outdoor activities to do. Grey Rock has a special place in my heart and will definitely make you feel the burn!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to fellow artist Zora Beglarian. Zora has been hugely influencial, supportive and inspiring to me as an artist though her creation and organization of The Art Mart, a collective of artists selling work in the Northern Colorado area. Zora pulled together a huge community of artists and organizes several art related events each month. The community Zora has fostered is so supportive and caring. We all share opportunities, tips and tricks with one another and it has been so encouraging to speak with other artists who have similar experiences working to run our own small businesses.

Instagram: @codoprints

Other: Etsy Shops: codoprintsstudio.etsy.com codoprints.etsy.com

Image Credits
All images are taken my myself or images of my work.