Mobile Photography & Art – ‘Intimate Interview’ with Vicki Cooper from Michigan, United States
We have decided to launch a new intimate style of interview into TheAppWhisperer – the world’s most popular mobile photography and art website. We feel it is important that our community feel close to each other, as it is this support that helps us to nurture one another, gain confidence and continue to grow.
This is our seventh interview, to read the others, please go here. Today, we are publishing this beautifully expressive and engaging interview with talented digital mobile artist, Vicki Cooper from Michigan in the United States. Enjoy.
What was your childhood or earliest ambition?
My earliest ambition, at age 4, was to go to University. At age 8 I became more specific in that I wanted to be an artist.
First Recognition
My first real sense of recognition came in the 8th grade when I was chosen to paint one of my pictures on a business window for the holiday.
First job?
My first job was teaching gymnastics at the YWCA while I was at University as an undergraduate.
Private or state school?
I attended State schools for all of my education.
University or Work?
University of Akron, Ohio.
Who was or still is your mentor?
I’ve been fortunate to have had three mentors in my life: Mrs. Witters my 9th grade English teacher, Dr. Ruth Messenger, my English Professor as an undergraduate, Robert Pope, English Professor and Creative Writing Instructor.
How physically fit are you?
I regret to inform that I’m not as physically fit as I’d wish to be due to ill health. Sigh!
Ambition or Talent: What matters more to success?
I believe both talent and ambition are equally important though I’m not sure that either will insure success. I suppose it depends on how one defines success.
How politically committed are you?
I have always been a political animal. I suspect it’s in my genes. My first trip to the voting booth was when I was 6 and my grandfather took me because he wanted me to know what it was like to participate in our government. Thank you, Grandpa!
What would you like to own that you don’t currently possess?
I would love to own a printer and computer system that would allow me to print out my own large canvases! I would also love to experiment with 3D printing.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
My biggest extravagance ism iPad Pro and my iPhone. I need very few “things”.
In what place are you happiest?
I’ve learned over time that I carry my happiness with me. Physical location is irrelevant.
What ambitions do you still have?
At this point in my life my ambition is to be able to be aware of all that I love and cherish, and to be able to creating my art as long has I can take a breath.
What drives you on?
My passion drives me. My passion for life, for beauty, for feeling the breeze in my skin, the sun on my face, the sound of rain on the roof. Everything drives me.
What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?
My son is my greatest achievement, though to be honest I can’t take all responsibility for his “wonderfulness”. He is the most remarkable person I have ever had the pleasure to know.
What do you find most irritating in other people?
I find bigoted behavior in any form irritating!
If your 20 year old self could see you now, what would she think?
I suspect my 20 year old self would think she was looking at a slightly more progressive version of my grandmother (I’m laughing at myself, lol).
Which object that you’ve lost do you wish you still had?
I lost a picture of a nude that my son painted when he was 8. I had him with me when I was working on a sketch of a life study. He was supposed to be drawing pictures of animals but instead drew and painted with his water colors the nude I was working on. I had it framed and hung it in my home, but unfortunately during one on my many moves it was lost.
What is the greatest challenge of our time?
I believe that one of our greatest challenges is to maintain the integrity of our personal values.
Do you believe in an afterlife?
I believe in reincarnation. Look out folks, because one day I will return!
If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?
I wish I could say 10, but the truth lies somewhere between 6 and 9.
Please Read…
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Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
