We had the good fortune of connecting with Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cooper, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always wanted to start my own business. I have always liked taking control and seeing a vision and bringing it to life. It really started when I was in college and began to learn about art history. I was studying Keith Haring, along with other contemporary artists. I then began putting my drawings on Instagram and watching several other artists daily routines and how they were creating their businesses. I just thought if I could copy this model then why couldn’t I have my own business?

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0153.JPG Processed with VSCO with au5 preset

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t think it’s really ever easy for an artist to make it or get a break, or at least not that I have heard of. Most artist sacrifice a lot and give up many things because they have no other way of getting through this life except creating and expressing their art. Iv’e learned a lot of patience through my art so far and how it’s not tomorrow but the long haul. No matter what you do today, you still have to get up tomorrow and put just as much thought and creativity in to keep living your dream. Life is the dream. I would describe my art as fun, vibrant, and my own way of seeing nature. When I do murals I usually do a lot of my signature “Wildflowers”, and on canvas I do a lot of still life’s.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently have been living in Evansville, Indiana for about 6 months now. I moved here after living in Los Angeles for two years. I grew up about 30 minutes away from here and this is the biggest city near my family and friends. I live downtown where I now have my first studio so I am enjoying this as this has always been my dream. We do have a museum which is very nice. Personally I enjoy going to bars and having drinks when I am not in my studio. We have a few new breweries around the area which are very nice. I spend most of my time in my studio to be honest. My day to day through the week is usually pretty strict and I try and stay on point. We have a river near by where I like to run and listen to books at. I would say at this point in my life I am easy going and just enjoy my work and a good drink.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout would definitely go to Steven Pressfield and his book “The War on Art”. This was the first time ever hearing about an artists life that I really connected with. I could feel and was going through what he was talking about. It was almost as if he wrote the book for me. I use to listen to that back every week. I still do listen to it and talk about it to other artists who might be in a bad spot or who need a pick me up. The book is about himself Steven becoming the author he is today and what he had to give up in order to get there. He worked several jobs, quit them, wrote, was broke, moved, and never stopped writing until it eventually payed off. I have gone through many of the things the book has talked about and have a great connection to it.

Website: https://www.cooperart.me/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam.cooper/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyzgsbYgnCQ5j7tFo8pVnXw?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Instagram – @lurkerlife

Nominate someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.