A Professor of Art at the University of La Verne in Southern California since 1989, Trotter received her B.A. from Scripps College and her M.F.A. from Claremont Graduate University, as a Millard Sheets Scholar, in 1981. Her paintings, prints, and drawings have been exhibited nationally and internationally.  She was a 2010 Artist in Residence at DRAWinternational, a contemporary art center in Caylus, France.

As well as maintaining a studio practice and teaching, Trotter has extensive curatorial experience and has served as a panelist and advisor to several arts organizations in the Los Angeles area.  She has received several research grants for teaching, as well as for her studio work.  Her current work explores her obsession with modernism, but is inspired by the intersection of art and psychology in early twentieth century modern art movements.