KATIEtheCOOPER

Happy Christmas to all... And to all a...

2005-12-25T23:48:00.000-08:00

Hey, you guys! How are things? AAHHH! I'm typing on a PC and I keep messing up my typing! I love Apple! I miss you guys alot. I wish I was on my computer and I could show you lots of pictures. I made a beautiful watercolor nude for my parents for Christmas. They hung it in their bathroom and it looks really good. I will post a pic soon. I promise I will blog more these days. I have not had the internet at my aptartment but I think I am getting a wireless modem soon. Cool. Well, I love you all (at least you whom I know who are reading this). Happy Holidays and, well, enjoy the new year. Make a resolution, tie your boots, and hang your pearls in place. Got it? See you soon...I miss you. Will write soon, I promise! I have a lot to tell you about the corprorate world. It is definitely not what it seems. Good experience, though...
Until then, listen to your hearts, and not your overpowering mind but the rational one.
--me

Hi

2005-09-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

everyone. Thought I would finally drop in after a few weeks. I'm a workin girl these days. Yeah, work is pretty good. I'm getting to be a bad ass in photoshop now. I'm still trying to get the whole time management stuff down. I think I am just screwed when it comes to time. Have I ever been on time for anything? Not to mention calling people back--man! I'm the worst! My only complaint about my job is the word corporate. It's really hard as an artist because I will work on a kick-ass design and it ends up getting pretty watered down. That kinda sucks. Sometimes I feel like I do not get to use my full creative potential. But then I turn that around and just keep doing my own stuff. I love to watercolor and am working on a series now. This weekend I am photographing my first wedding! Its very low key, low budget which is good for me considering I am a wedding virgin in all aspects, including photography. I am really excited about it, though. I am buying a new tripod with my extra dough and maybe a bag for my camera. My freelance work with that printing company is still happening and have made a good chunk off of them. So I really do not have much to complain about. I'm getting the bills paid and even have leftovers from this whole live with the parents thing. I move into my apartment on Oct. 7! Also, Nick is moving here that weekend too! We are such dorks but I love it. It has really been quite a hassle this summer with me here and him in Jtown (especially the part about me living with the 'rents). Three weeks to go! Don't worry, we do not even speak of the M-word. Is that clear?
I'm travelling to Jboogie on the 30th so I would totally love to see you people who are there. I also kinda want to go snooping around campus. Shhh, don't tell anyone. OOOOOHHHH!!! I just had a brilliant idea!!! Lets get together and play lazer tag! I dunno, just a thought.

Also, I'm starting back into yoga at Barefoot studios here. Way excited and way needed. I get so cramped up sitting in front of a computer all day. And another note to those of you who have seen Office Space. The movie is all truth. That is seriously how a corporate world is. Bithdays are a really big deal and so is lunch. The accounting people think us designers are really strange. And, YES, I totally got the UM... yeah... could you go ahead and come in on Saturday...That'd be great. Let's say 10 to 2, ok?
I'm not kidding.
Anywho, there is my life. Short and sweet, just like me. Holla back, yo.
Peace.

good bad; up down; left right; black white

2005-08-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends. I have just been catching up on everyone's bloggs. I'm glad to read that there is not any total decay or discombobulation with anyone. Same goes here. Just a busy little ant (sorry zach) with so much to do and so much to do. My job is starting to kick into gear. I just got assigned two really cool jobs. First, I am designing all the Breast Cancer Awareness posters for Dillards. The advertising dept. has come up with some sort of logo situation but I am totally in charge of the signage and I can be as creative as I want. Pretty cool. Sometime in October look for the signs in the store if you happen to be shopping. October is the BC Awareness Month. Second, Dillards is opening 5 new stores in large cities: Atlanta, Collierville, Dallas, another in TX?, and Charlotte. They have come up with these new fixtures for these new stores called 'transition wall units' and 'window units'. The units are basically 3D rectangular boxes with modern looking shelves, and manican busts, and hanging spots, and a different array of display stuff that can be rearranged accordingly (like for home, or mens, or juniors). They will all look different and each (there are 8 different categories) will tell some sort of 'story' including merchandise and signage. Anyway, I am in charge of putting the story together and designing signage for these units. I am way excited about these projects, especially the units. Its huge. Other than that, I am still working on the freelance stuff for the printing company. I usually spend most of my time after work doing that stuff so I can probably count as much as dan on one hand for times I get to go out and party down.

Speaking of, that brings up a new topic. I just read dan's blog about how much he misses school and you don't know how good you have it unitl after its over. I love school. I could be in school forever. A few summers ago while I was in Canada, I had a revelation that if I could, I would have about 8 different majors and could literally stay in school for a long, long time. I like to do so many different things and I think it would be so great if I could spend my life focusing and studying and learning in extent about these subjects. School is so wonderful but I was so ready to leave jonesboro so it made things bittersweet for me. I could talk about this forever, but I thought it would be nice to see how you guys feel about it as well.

I officially move out on October 7th. Whoo hoooo! I cannot wait. My friend Marci and I are moving into some apartments together and her dog, Margo too. Margo is a warmerainer named after Margo Tennenbaum. I'm so excited about having a dog live with us. I am going to a party tonight to celebrate a birthday, and boy do i need to get out of the house! Whoo!

Well, so long everyone. Enjoy life. Be good.

Here's a little something extra.
Isn't this hilarious? That is my sister (the one on the left) at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. I made her pose like that next to a sculpture by one of my favorite artists ever, Giacometti. His work is amazing and has so much feeling. You should check him out sometime if you are not familiar with his work.

My first week on the job

2005-08-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

I know all of you are just itching to know exactally what it is that I have been doing so far at my new job. Well alright, I'll tell you. I actually did not do a whole lot my firt couple days but the past two days I have been looking through all the hundreds of photos shot for mens fall fashion. We have 4 different networks servers there and the photographers load all their pics into one. So what I do is preview the photos which are mosaic files in this software called Leaf Capture and contact sheet. I then use my creative intuit and pick out just ONE out of about 50 or 60 of a certain outfit. Once I have my one photo, I drag it into the Batch Processor and it converts it into a TIFF which takes about 10 minutes. So on Thursday I had about 20 TIFF photos to work with. On Friday the photos actually came into play. The buyers and some other people I do not know send us a form for corprate image signs and key item signs pertaining to a certain shirt or accessory, for example. The Corproate Image Signs are 22x28 posters that hang in all Dillards stores around the country. In my case, I had about 6 different 22x28s to do with men's fall apparrell yesterday. Almost all of those were group shots which, I will have you know, are very difficult shots to pick because you have to make sure all three of the men don't have a funny expression on their face or are not doing something wierd with their hands, etc... I then made some Key Item Signs that are 8 1/2x11 signs that are displayed in the stores with information about a particular shirt and its retail price. All necessary items for the store that involve lots of tedious work and time.

So there is a small preview of what my job entails so far. I know I will have bigger responsibilities once I settle in a bit more. Christmas is on its way, not to mention winter clothes, sales, etc, etc! We just finished women's coats and men's underwear and are about to finish homecoming dresses and evening gowns. I still do not know everything about my job duties at Dillard's but I do know that I am learning and that this is good experience for opportunities later in life.

I am still working on freelance stuff with the printing company so that is some good extra income. Other than that I am just trying to manage my time and see my friends and find a place to live!!! That is the kicker. Shelter. I have a lead but there is much that needs to get worked out here. I do know that I am soooo ready to move out of my parent's house but probably will not occur until September. That's ok because I can get a month's pay under my belt without rent.

Oh my gosh-- on a completely different note, Last weekend I was at this place in LR called NU cusine/lounge having a cosmo and I totally hung out with Scotty Pippen! He is really soft spoken and kinda shy. I was very honored since I am a basketball fan. Our conversation was all like: (him)"Hi." (me) "So what's going on?" (him) "Not much." (m) "So what are you guys up to tonight? Here for the Jermain Taylor celebration?" (h)"Yeah, but I think I'm going home now." (It was about 1:00am) (m) "Me too. blah, blah." --and then some. But we did have a conversation and that's all that matters!
Well, I think this may be my longest blog ever. I must leave you but in do time... Keep it real and don't do anything I wouldn't do. Peace.

A new married

2005-07-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago, I drove up to Heber Springs for Lile and Amanda's wedding reception. They went to Hawaii for two weeks and got married on the beach without any family or friends. I watched a video of their wedding and this old man married them who was wearing nothing except for a wrap-around skirt thing while blowing a conk shell. Very different, but way cool. They had their party, family and friend situation in Heber. So here are some pics from the occasion. I thought some would enjoy... Here they are decked out in their wedding attire they wore in Hawaii.

This was what I saw driving home that evening. I took this pic while I was driving.

Pictures from the Big Apple

2005-07-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, I finally have gotten around to showing you guys a little of what I saw and did in the big city. I absolutely loved it there! I could totally live there one day and actually may decide to do so in a few years. It is so big and there is so much to do and I feel like I barely scraped the surface. We went to many museums although the last day, Tuesday, we saved the MOMA (Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art) and it just happened to be closed. Boulder dash! We also rode a double-decker tour bus around the city for two days that makes frequent stops and you can get on and off as you please. Went to see Fiddler on the Roof-- Harvey Feinstein played the dad (you know, he's Robin Williams brother in Mrs. Doubtfire-- Really scratchy voice, gay). Anywho, seeing a Broadway play was one of my favs! I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves...

This was taken from atop the double-decker in Times Square. I actually did a watercolor of this pic for my dad for father's day. He loved it.

Inside the Guggenheim Museum. This was one of my favorite places. Anyone ever seen the Matthew Barney videos? Very strange dude. This guy from the Netherlands showed us one of his works he did from inside the Gugg. two spring semesters ago. Remember?

This is the occulus of the Gugg.

This is my family minus my older sister who could not go. Notice how we are all about the same height. Now you know where I get it from. -- We are on top of the Metropolitan in the sculpture garden. Skyline and Central Park behind us.

Ooooo...Look at all the ads.

The city at night from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Well, these are just a few pics out of the hundreds that i took. We were big dorks there but i thought you guys would like to see these. If you ever get a chance to go there, do it. It is rather dirty in some places but the whole experience of being there overrides that factor. I want to go back!!

I have a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-07-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, my friends, I indeed had a most wonderful offer today! I am the new graphic designer/visual merchandiser at Dillard's Corporate Office. There are only three of us and I start on August 1st. My interview was yesterday at 4:00pm. I met with the visual project manager, Adam, and the executive director of v.m. This was a very fancy interview compared to my previous encounters. They were both decked out in nice suits so I was really glad that i invested in a suit of my own. Adam, my boss, called me at 10am this morning and said that after they met with me they decided that I was the one for the job! What a confidence booster. I had noticed that at the security desk about 2 or 3 different people had interviews before me that day with Adam. They also told me that they were to have more this week, but I guess that since I am so awesome they just had to pick me!! I am sooooo excited about this position. This is the one I really wanted. You know, I had turned down two other offers and it definately paid off. Speaking of, the pay is not too shabby -- more than I expected. Yeah for me. I thik I will be really good at this job. I am very confident about that. This Dillard's Corporate office is in charge of about 300-something dilliards around. My job is going to entail coming up with all the visual collateral and merchandise to sell a certain line of clothing like women's coats, or a certain promotion like back to school, for example including sineage, tags, ads, store setup and design etc, etc. This will cover all the 300ish Dillards. So my work will be seen all over the place by thousands of people. They have in-house photographers so I will get to work with them as well. Whoo hoo! Sounds like fun, huh? I cannot express how excited I am, not to mention the fact that I get to look for a place of my own now and move out of my parent's house! I will keep you guys up-to-date on my status. Oh yeah, they have all macs in the office. YES!! I have yet to see my office space. Adam told me that Aug. 1 he will come downstairs and get me and set me up with a security pass so I can have access to our office. I am quite anxious to see what it looks like inside. They are very secure there and you are not allowed upstairs unless you work there or are very important.

Feel free to have a mini party for me in your brain or drink a beer in celebration! And just to let you guys know, you all gave me much inspiration and are very important to me and the designer I have become! Thanks!!

this is for tim

2005-07-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hey, Housesitting rocks, doesn't it? I have been housesitting for this family I babysit for this summer for two weeks and they have a huge house, a pool, and a guest house just for me equipped with a bathroom, a queen bed and a mini kitchen, not to mention a big tv with surround sound. Sweet deal, huh? I had a mini pool party one night -- with their permission. It was for my birthday (happy birthday to me July 3rd!). I have also been housesitting for their neighbors with a baby puppy named Buddy. He is awesome. Yeah, and they pay me too. Its the life. I house sit every summer usually at least for a fourth to half of the summer total. Its a great way to make money, and when you live with your parents the money is just an added bonus! Trust me, my parents are not far from your monk's stipulations. They too find it weird for me to have nick spend the night when he sleeps on the opposite side of the house from my room AND up stairs. I am actually housesitting for my parents right now. Did I mention that I am also my parent's new house cleaner? Every two weeks I clean our whole house for $50. Not a bad way to make some extra money. Tomorrow is Cleaning Day! Whoo hoo.
Oh yeah, people other than Tim are welcome to read this as well.

Alright, I owe this one to you guys.

2005-07-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. So sorry have been MIA for the last few weeks. My life has been quite hectic lately. I have been housesitting for three different houses, some overlaping, two dogs, one bird, two cats, and some fish. I've been going back and forth from house to house so much that I feel like time is crutial in life. On top of finding a job, working out, babysitting, and freelance work I seem to stay quite busy.

Speaking of finding a job, I will catch up all of you. Last week I had two interviews. One interview was at a company that makes signs. They really liked me and offered me a job the next day. I took the weekend to think about it and ended up declining the offer. Sorry, too boring and not enough dough. The other interview was at a place that is more focused on printing. I would have about maybe %10 creative opportunity. Boooo! They totally knew I was not interrested and the fact that I really did not mesh from the second I walked up in there. That was an awful interview. I almost cried because I was thinking to myself: "Is this what I have amounted to? I am an artist. Maybe I'm stuck.", and so forth. The next day I decided to take some serious action. I printed off several resumes with coverletters and brought them to some interresting places around Little Rock, even if I had already applied there. I have had two job offers but they were really shitty and I know that there must be better opportunity for me. Turns out that today someone from Dillards called me and asked me to come in for an interview on Monday for a graphic design position. (For all of you who do not know, visual merchandising is an area that I really want to get into but need experience for the bigger companies and cities.) I am soooo excited. Please cross you fingers for me. This one would be great!! Also, I have an older friend who is possibly getting me an interview in Austin, TX somewhere where she used to work. She said they would totally fly me down there for an interview if it all works out. Sweet! So there must be a reason I turned down all those other jobs. I feel like I have good coming my way. (I hope!) Trust me, you guys probably would not have taken them either.

So there. That is my job status. Another thing I am seriously lookin into is Medical Illustration. I did a lot of research on the profession and there are about 5 or 6 schools in the U.S. that offer the master's program. I would not be able to start until next summer or fall, but I would really like to persue this idea. I just have to see how the job hunt goes this summer and if bad I may end up taking classes at UALR getting ready for Medical Illustration School. Cool huh? What do you guys think about that?

Well, I know this letter seems as long as waiting for jesus, so i'll go. That all for now. I'll continue later to keep things short and short.
Later.

I'm not in Kansas anymore...

2005-06-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Hello all--
I know I have not posted in a while. Sorry. I'll catch up everyone. Well let me start with the most recent of events. I just returned from Wakarusa, a music festival in Lawrence, Kansas. I camped out for three nights in the lovely kansas air and got to see many, many great bands! I was very dirty when I got home considering I did not shower for three and a half days! It was worth it though. I had such a great time and all the people there were way cool. Bands would play aroun noon all the way until 4 in the AM. Plus, New Belgium Brewing sponsored the event so there were plenty of Fat Tire and Sunshines to go around! To name a few we saw: String Cheese Incident, North Miss. Allstars, Wilco, Gov't Mule, Old Crow Medicine Show (very groovy bluegrass band), Particle (who opened with that 80's tune from Beverly Hills Cop!), Galactic, Little Feet, the list goes on...
OH goodness, I did not realize what time it was. I'll finish later and tell you about New York. I have to go sit on babies (my temporary job until I find a real one!).
Later~

my first interview. by katiethecooper

2005-06-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a girl with brown hair and glasses who desperately seeked employment. Then all of a sudden one day she got an interview...

Yesterday (Wed, June1) I interviewed at a small ad agency in LR. Things went really well. I was there for almost an hour. I was interviewed by the man who owns the company and the art director. They were both really laid back and inviting. That made me feel a lot more comfortable. You know this was my first interview. Did I mention that? Anyway, they told me that I had a really nice portfolio, which was flattering to hear. They seemed really interested so I asked if I should call in a few days and they said to after I return from NYC. Now this is not really my first pick in life for a job. However, i do need one. Hypathetically (sp?) if they do offer me something I will have to think about it because, truthfully, I may want to work somewhere else. I am getting way ahead of myself, though. Don' worry, I do have a plan of action. I will not release it just yet. I was simply happy to have an interview. Also, I think my parents were starting to think I was worthless or something.

Speaking of NY, I leave TOMORROW!!! I am so excited. I'm not going to be able to help myself from looking touristy from taking pictures all the time. I think we are going to see Fiddler on the Roof tomorrow night after dinner at Carmine's (italian--they talk about it a lot on law & order. Any L&O fans?). Then to make my mother happy, we are going to ride a tour bus around the whole city on Saturday so we can soak in a little of most of the big stuff. (I hate touristy shit.) We will probably spend a day shopping and eating. I wanted to get tickets to David Letterman but we haven't heard back yet. I know I am getting in some museum time. I told my fam that if they don't want to spend as much time as I do then they can do something else whilst I bask in the glory of the wonderful world of artwork we all know and love. I think that Modern class will do me good for my trip! ( I know, I know, Zach and Tim, you don't have to say anything.) There is a load of other stuff we want to do and you will just have to hear about it when I get back. I will share every detail!

Until then, all you country folk, try not to kill too many deer or pick up any road kill for dinner. Just kidding.
Really, though, have a great weekend and I'll talk to you soon.
later--

p.s. thanks for the cosmo tip, amanda.

Life is like a rubik's cube...

2005-05-31T17:38:00.000-07:00

So many different colors, directions, experiences... all connected but not in order, and very hard to figure out.

I have my first interview tomorrow! (In LR.) It is not a place I really want but I need interview experience, and a job. However, I am currently checking out many more jobs in NYC. Do you like the new look? I decided i needed color in my blogg life. Plus Flash and I had the same one. I have no other big news in my life other than I think i'm on my way to crazy town the more time i spend living at home.

Any advice on the interview? I did take very good notes in Dallas about interviewing so i'm going to go over that. Talking to people doesn't make me nervous, but my face turns red so easily. I'm sure you guys have noticed. It usually happens when I am in the spotlight and I know it too. I can feel my face getting warmer and then my lip starts sweating. I hate that about myself, but at least I don't studder and I have good grammar.

Well, I may post tomorrow or before i leave on friday. So until then, keep it real.
Peace--

Big Apple, Little Person

2005-05-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Guess what? I'm going to NYC in June! I am so excited, however I am going with my family. That's ok, though. It will still be way, way, way fun. Right now I am trying to set up some interviews up there. Maybe this lingering thing with the Guggenheim will follow through. Someone who works there talked to the head graphic designer there for me so I emailed them about being in town, so we will see. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Thats all for now. I am really, really, really, ready to move out of my parents house and find a job!!! I literally cannot wait. If i end up moving to a neat place, any of you guys can come visit any time and you will have a free place to stay!! Anywho, enough dreaming...

Patience...virtue or vice?

2005-05-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, here goes. I am starting to get a little impatient in the world these days. It seemed like I was getting off to a good start but now things are really stationary. I have not heard back from anyone. I have applied to about 36.5 thousand jobs! I am not going to think negatively, however. Usually in my life things seem to go pretty well. There's a part of me that wants to simply harrass people but you gotta keep your boundaries.

Anywho, enough with that. For now, i'm working on getting a part time job. I gotta have some cash flow, you know. I do know one thing. If any motivation exists for getting a job, it is getting out of my parent's house. I can't even talk on the phone late at night in my room because we are right next door. Ahhhh!! I want to have a party at my house in NLR this summer sometime, so if all you out-of-towners could make it, that would be rockin'!!

Have a good day. I'll be back...

ok, jobs...here i come

2005-05-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

hey all. Alright, so far I have applied to tons of places and have a few more to go. I applied to this Art Museum in Hartford, CT called Real Art Ways (mostly contemporary art) and she emailed me back yesterday!! How awesome would Connecticut be? very, i say. Thats all so far. Oh yeah, I also have a freelance job with this printing place in NLR doing an informational brochure packet about their company and services. Pretty easy. So thats all so far with jobs. Pretty excitin', huh?

Anywho, you all keep in touch now, ya hear.?

Testing...hello?

2005-05-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone.
this is my first blog. I'm a blog virgin. Let me tell you, It is so strange being a college grad. You go from a college student one day and unemployed the next! I'll be back soon to keep you updated. I really want to know what everyone is doing, so keep in touch!