Experiencing Interruptions?

Walking in Paint

Contemporary artist Courtney Cotton details her creative process and reflects on her development as an abstract painter while working in her studio. Interviews with two colleagues highlight her generosity, kindness, growth, and dedication.

  • W. W. Webb
    Director
  • W. W. Webb
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 26, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Texas Short Film Festival
    Austin, Texas
    October 11, 2025
    Best Documentary Film
Director Biography - W. W. Webb

W. W. Webb is a farm-raised Georgia native. He knows how to use dynamite and graduated from Yale University. He is a former trucker, pharmacy tech, teacher, computer programmer, carpenter, handyman, political operative, roofer, and business owner. He can operate a range of heavy equipment, owns many power tools, and still has all ten of his fingers.

He loves to hear a good story and can tell a few tales of his own. After twenty-five years as a playwright and screenwriter, he moved into film and video production in 2017. He became a contributor to Shutterstock and iStock-Getty Images last year.

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Director Statement

Whether in writing, music, art, architecture, fashion, design, or other pursuits, the creative process has always fascinated me.

After I asked Courtney Cotton about her art, she allowed me to visit her studio and film her working on an abstract composition. That initial visit led to a months-long odyssey to document her journey as an artist. I was fortunate to interview colleagues she has mentored and inspired.

Informed by mindfulness and reflection, her art explores the themes of mental health and well-being, oneness, transformation, resilience, vulnerability, and perception. She advises people to respond thoughtfully to life’s challenges versus reacting instinctively.

Born in Pennsylvania, Courtney grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1990 with BA in studio art. She launched her career as an artist in 1997 after working in architecture and interior design. A mother of three sons, she lost her oldest child to suicide in 2016.