Paper Airplanes

Fly • Fly I • Fly II • Fly III • Fly a New Direction 2018

Series of 5; 12” x 12” acrylic on canvas, private collections

Denver artist Courtney Cotton is using her paper airplanes series of conceptual paintings to bring
awareness to mental wellness/fitness. Using the airplane as metaphor for perspective & perception that
evolved as a way for her to heal herself and possibly others whose lives have been touched by suicide.

You can filter any situation through your lens of beliefs. In other words, reality depends on your
perceptions and the filter you choose affects the world you see. Choosing a positive filter means living a
life filled with opportunity. Choosing a negative filter means a life of limitations. How your perceptions
lead you to act or not act in a given situation is something you control.

Transformation and possibility are apparent as the paper plane manifested from the folding of a sheet of
paper.

The airplane is a metaphor for oneself and emotional intelligence, being above a situation, seeing it in a
different way or with a new perspective may change your perception. “As I journey or fly through life, I
enjoy the ease in which I can change my reactions to responses using my breath and new perspectives.
Many times, when I am in flow, life is an easy graceful flight and other times resistance and fear manifest
turbulence and delays on my flight through life. Good thing the paper airplane is resilient and I have a lot
a paper in the case of a crash.”

Gold represents light, both inner light or self and outer light - universal. The white represents peace and
being present. Green is the color of nature and health. It represents growth, nature, and safety. All the
variations these colors make represent contrast and the balancing act of our thoughts, feelings and
emotions.

Cotton also encourages the viewer to attach their own meaning to the paper plane.

“Fly high - it’s what you were meant to do! “ - Love Courtney

Cotton is currently using this series as a vehicle to spread awareness about social & emotional learning as
well as lifelong restorative practices because good mental health/fitness is imperative to develop coping
skills and resilience. I view this series as a vehicle that can help our youth articulate and regulate
emotions.