We recently have seen some happy press in our local news paper.  We have always known that The Cotton Company is a host for lots of interesting people to bring their business to life in Wake Forest – and now the big city decided to take notice.  The following is an article about long term Resident Artist Dick Larsen and his journey in this life as an artist.

Thank you for reading…

Saturday, Jan. 07, 2012

From ads to pets: a painter’s journey by Alex Granados

You know Wake Forest painter Dick Larsen. You don’t realize it, but you do. Remember that 1970s Tootsie Pop ad that asks how many licks it takes to get to the center? That’s Dick Larsen’s work. Larsen, 68, spent years in advertising, but if you met him today, you wouldn’t know it. In fact, you’d probably be coming to him with a photo of a pet, maybe a dog, and requesting a portrait. That’s his specialty these days: painting pets. Have a special dog? Maybe a cat? Heck, even a gerbil or rattlesnake? You can bring it down to Dick Larsen’s studio at The Cotton Company in Wake Forest and get him to duplicate its likeness in paint.

What started off with one random request has become a full-time business. Larsen spent years creating ads before ending up in North Carolina in the early 1990s. He’d always wanted to be a painter, but the realities of life led him to advertising. “I had to go make some real money and support my family,” he said. But in Raleigh, his wife had a job with an ad firm, and Larsen, fresh off a five-year stint at a Florida ad company, decided to devote himself to painting. His work used to be more eclectic, but a few years back, someone asked him to paint a pet and everything changed. “People really are hung up on their pets and they really enjoy having them around,” he said. “It’s a market all by itself.” Soon other people were requesting pet portraits, and six years ago, Larsen decided to dedicate himself to reproducing their favorite furry friends. The ratio of dog to cat requests is about 10 to 1. And when I mentioned a gerbil and rattlesnake before, I wasn’t just making that up. He’s done both at one time or another.

Go to his studio and you’ll see for yourself that his business is doing well. He sits at the easel studiously brushing away, surrounded all the while by an audience of painted dogs captive on canvas. Larsen’s successful new life almost came to an end four months ago. He woke up one morning and realized he couldn’t see out of his right eye. After a visit to a few medical professionals, Larsen discovered that he’d had a stroke in one eye. It blinded it permanently, but left his other eye basically unharmed. Still, Larsen wasn’t sure he could continue painting. He was determined to try. “It took a while to just get used to the fact that I’m not going to see anymore out of this eye,” he said. “Then I said, ‘Somehow, I have to figure out how to paint.’ ” He started back slowly, changing up his method and using tools, such as a magnifying glass, to help. Aware that his handicap might change the quality of the finished work, Larsen offered customers a money-back guarantee. If they weren’t satisfied, no charges applied. But Larsen’s talent is undiminished. His paintings still enthrall customers, and business is still coming through the door. Though Larsen realized the business potential in painting pets, he said he gets creative fulfillment from his work as well. “You get these animals with their feelings and sentiment and all this kind of stuff – it’s just entertaining to bring them out and make them smile,” he said. I’ve got an adopted 11-year-old Golden Retriever that talks to me when nobody’s looking. Maybe it’s time to take her to see Larsen.

Alex Granados writes about people, places and traditions in North Raleigh and beyond. Contact him at agranadoster@gmail.com.

Each year we celebrate our customers by hosting an After Christmas Sale.  And, it’s not just the Holiday items that are marked down.  While you will see that Holiday merchandise   is marked down so you can get a jump on next year’s rush – you will find deals on Entire Booths.  Shop for all of those little things that Santa left out of your stocking like jewelry, artwork, and purses.  Buy some art lessons to get started on your resolutions or new custom throw pillows – or more jewelry!

These sales run through January 1st.  Each sale is listed in the vendor booth and also our staff has a record at the register.  We’ll be delighted to help you find the perfect items to round off your wish list in time for those New Year’s Eve parties!

Just look for the SALE signs – and don’t for get to look for the Buy Local signs as well.

http://www.thecottoncompany.net/

The Cotton Company Event Gallery excels at giving brides and grooms the day of which they’ve always dreamed exactly as they dreamed of it.  One key to achieving this level of customization for each unique bride is our decoration policy.  We allow any and all decorations to be put up, from live flowers to candles to lights, as long as you don’t damage our walls, you can make the room exactly what you want it to be.

From the moment you walk in, we encourage you to make the Event Gallery yours.  From stringing lights along our bannister outside or decorating the staircase leading up to The Event Gallery, we want the whole experience to feel like you invited your friends and families to the party that only you could have thrown.  That extra level of personality and charm that only The Cotton Company can offer in terms of freedom in decorations.

We’ve seen everything from a ceiling full of paper lanterns to a full on decorated arbor brought in for a ceremony.  Later this year, a couple is extending our existing twinkle lit wall as to capture more of that charm!  One resounding comment I hear from potential clients as they look over photographs of The Event Gallery dressed up is that we can accommodate just about anything.  We strive to foster an environment where imaginations can run wild and that dream really can come true.

Come by and tour The Cotton Company; come start dreaming up your upcoming event with Chris Tatem, our Event Director.  He’s more than happy to make your dreams come true.