Today we’d like to introduce you to Rena Cotti.
Hi Rena, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Rena Cotti, a fine artist and the founder of Rena Cotti Creative Events. I’m a multidisciplinary artist working in acrylics, oils, soft pastels, and digital media, specializing in portraits, figurative art, landscapes, and abstracts. My work is expressive and layered, often exploring themes of identity, emotion, and human connection.
After years as a government high school teacher, I followed my heart into a second career as an artist. My creative journey began with scrapbooking, evolved into mixed media and collage, and over the past several years has focused primarily on fine art. That path—rich with experimentation, texture, and storytelling—continues to shape my artistic voice today.
I’ve been hosting retreats for 30 years—and I still LOVE it. Through Rena Cotti Creative Events, I host art, scrapbook, quilting, jewelry, and craft retreats in Central Texas, along with workshops that bring people together to create, laugh, and connect. Sharing the creative process is just as important to me as creating the art itself.
I love exploring new techniques, traveling for art adventures, and creating welcoming spaces where inspiration flows freely, and creativity feels like play.
For commissions, collaborations, or to explore upcoming retreats and recent work, you can find me online through my website and social platforms.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly, I don’t think it’s supposed to be.
Leaving a long career in teaching to step fully into an art-based life meant starting over in many ways. I had to learn how to value my work, price it, market it, and put myself out there creatively and professionally—all while managing the very real fears that come with uncertainty and income swings. There were moments of self-doubt, creative burnout, and the challenge of balancing the business side of art with the joy that drew me to it in the first place.
Hosting retreats brought its own learning curve. Behind the scenes, there are logistics, risk, problem-solving, and a lot of responsibility for other people’s experiences. There have been times when things didn’t go as planned, and I had to pivot quickly—but each challenge has made me more resilient and confident.
That said, every struggle sharpened my skills and clarified my purpose. The hard parts taught me how to adapt, trust myself, and build something that’s both sustainable and deeply meaningful. Looking back, the bumps in the road weren’t setbacks—they were the training ground for the work I love today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Teaching and learning within creative communities is a huge part of my life.
My work lives at the intersection of art, experience, and connection. I’m a multidisciplinary fine artist working in acrylics, oils, soft pastels, and digital media, specializing in portraits, figurative work, landscapes, and expressive abstracts. At the heart of everything I do is storytelling—capturing emotion, identity, and the quiet moments that make people feel seen.
I’m also known for creating immersive creative experiences. Through Rena Cotti Creative Events, I’ve been hosting art, craft, and creative retreats for over 30 years. Retreats aren’t just a side offering for me—they’re a core part of my work. I design them to be welcoming, joyful, and confidence-building, especially for women who may not yet see themselves as “artists”. My background as a high school teacher deeply informs how I teach and lead: I break things down, encourage experimentation, and create space where perfection isn’t the goal—expression is.
What I’m most proud of is the community that has grown around my work. Seeing people return year after year, try new mediums they were once intimidated by, and leave feeling more confident and creatively alive means more to me than any single finished piece. I’m proud that I’ve built a career that blends making art, teaching, hosting, and hospitality into one cohesive creative life.
The majority of my overnight creative retreats are held at Rockin’ R Retreat Center in Temple, Texas, where I curate experiences that blend creativity, connection, and rest. These retreats are intentionally welcoming and confidence-building—spaces where participants can slow down, explore new mediums, and leave feeling inspired, supported, and creatively recharged.
At my retreats, everyone gets to create their own adventure. Some guests happily dive into personal projects, while others jump into the optional classes—playing with digital art, experimenting with color in our Color Play class, paint pouring dreamy masterpieces, or firing up a blow torch to make a one-of-a-kind lazy susan.
For over a decade, I have taught every November at Lucky Star Art Camp in Hunt, Texas, founded by Lisa H. Field in 2012. Lucky Star has welcomed hundreds of women to the Texas Hill Country for creative classes, nourishing food, beautiful music, and meaningful connections. Being part of that camp—as both an instructor and a lifelong learner—keeps me inspired, connected, and continually evolving as an artist.
Most recently, I began teaching at The Loom Creative, a studio in Cedar Creek, Texas, that serves as a gathering place for artists, makers, and curious souls. Founded by Gina O’Hara, The Loom was created from a belief in the vital role creativity, friendship, and community play in our lives—values that deeply align with my own.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Over time, I’ve found some trusted tools and people that consistently support my growth, helping me stay inspired and grounded in both my creative work and professional life.
For digital art, Procreate is a daily staple for me. It allows me to sketch, experiment, and refine ideas quickly, and it’s become an essential part of my creative workflow alongside my traditional mediums.
When it comes to guidance and perspective, I’ve learned a great deal from art and business coaches Donna Downey, Ivy Newport, and Valerie McKeehan. Each of them brings a different strength—creative freedom, practical business strategy, and mindset work—and together they’ve helped me think bigger, take smarter risks, and stay grounded in why I create in the first place.
Beyond specific tools or titles, I’m a big believer in learning through community and conversation—surrounding myself with other creatives, sharing ideas, and continuing to evolve through both formal coaching and lived experience. Those resources, combined with curiosity and connection, are what help me do my best work and live a creative, intentional life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.renacotti.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renacotti_art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renasealcotti
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rena-cotti-5a56343a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@renacotti_art
Image Credits
Becca Bachtel Photography
